Essay on "Nurses Role in Mental Health Care at VA Medical Center"

Essay 5 pages (1457 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Nurses Role in Mental Health Care at VA Medical Center

Application for a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) Program

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) executive leadership is a program that prepares nurses with masters' degree for headship roles in the highly technology-oriented system of healthcare. I am interested in this program given that the program will help me broaden my skills in business intelligence, finance, leadership, research in health services and health care policy. More so, it is my belief that the program will facilitate development of decisive thinking skills making me a more marketable leader in the field of nursing.

I am presently working as program coordinator for mental health intensive case management (MHICM) program that is considered an Executive Career Field (ECF) position. My role in the Executive Career Field is to ensure that the T21 initiatives are implemented in the most appropriate way. Recently, our medical center was designated as a 1A facility whereby all services must be offered during weekend and evening hours. I am therefore tasked with ensuring that mental services are made constantly available to the clients who need them. As a coordinator for MHICM program, I am tasked with the role of ensuring a shift in management skills and positive strategic planning. These aspects are considerably essential in making a smooth transition that is directed into bettering our services and promoting the well-being of our patients. Given that effective collaboration and marketing will be required, I feel the need of expanding my skills through acquiring a DNP program. With my determination to ensure a smooth transition in the management and strategic planning in out heath care facility, I am positive that given the scholarship, I will help impact people's life through superlative leadership skills.

Current Specific Priorities for Clinical Care for Veterans and Nursing Role

Apparently, there are over 8 million veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system. The veterans are positioned in priority categories to help VA properly manage their healthcare services besides ensuring quality care. Veterans with service-linked disabilities usually get priority access to outpatient and hospital care. Other specific priorities offered to veterans include provision of benefits and health care to homeless veterans. The VA offers transitional housing and benefits assistances to the homeless (Daniels & Nicoll, 2011).

Mental health care is another specific clinical priority offered to veterans. Nurses provide services that help veterans with mental health issues adjust to normal life. The services are offered in homes communities and rural areas. They ensure close relationships with homeless program staff and primary care clinics to achieve their T21 initiatives, which encompass, CVT and missed prospects. The nurses integrate mental health services with primary care to assist veterans with psychological and physical health issues.

Notably, VA facility holds common mental health and special mental health clinic. Additionally, substance disorder clinics and intensive outpatient clinics are also available. Safeguarded inpatient units are also available for patients with acute mental problems (Daniels & Nicoll, 2011). The nurses emphasize on psychosocial rehabilitation for substance abuse and mental health care administration to ensure patients recovery. Moreover, mental and physical health care for women veterans are provided. Women are offered annual gynecological examinations and follow-up medical processes. Virtual care, long-term care, rural health, traumatic brain injury to mention but a few are other specific priorities for veterans.

Particularly, nurses in VA are tasked with meeting the changing expectations and needs of their patients (Sullivan-Marx, 2010). The nurses strive to achieve the comprehensive requirements of the veteran population. Therefore, nurses employ critical thinking aptitudes besides being creative in advancing their roles. They are tasked with promoting the effectiveness of VA health systems and ensuring optimal patient upshots. Nurses provide competent and compassionate care to all veterans. They deliver preventive and significant care; provide family and patient education (Robert Foundation, 2011). Other specific roles and services provided by nurses include getting medical histories, performing physical examinations, diagnosing and treating veterans' health issues while others provide care to special groups of patients with HIV / AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis.

My Role in the Following Key Issues for Veterans

A. Access to Care

I am tasked with forming connections with veterans who present to ER for mental health associated issues for evening hours until 11.pm. I also work with other members to ensure continuity of care to the patient population, specifically patients with mental health issues.… READ MORE

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