Mental Health Nurses

Mental Health Nurses

Psychiatric nursing, also known as mental health nursing, is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing care for individuals of all ages dealing with mental illness or mental distress, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression, or dementia. Nurses in this specialty undergo additional training in psychological therapies, building therapeutic alliances, managing challenging behaviors, and administering psychiatric medications.

Similar to other nursing disciplines, psychiatric mental health nursing operates within nursing models, utilizing care plans and aiming to address the holistic needs of individuals. However, the primary emphasis in mental health nursing is on fostering a therapeutic relationship or alliance. This entails engaging with patients in a positive and collaborative manner to empower them to draw upon their inner resources alongside any other treatment they may be receiving.

A key responsibility of psychiatric nurses is to maintain a positive therapeutic relationship with patients in clinical settings. Central to mental health care is the establishment of interpersonal relations and interactions between professionals and clients. Providing care for individuals with mental illnesses requires a heightened presence and a strong desire to offer support.

Psychiatric nurses demonstrate understanding and empathy, which contribute to maintaining a positive psychological balance for patients. Creating an environment where patients feel valued and respected is crucial. Empowering patients with feelings of importance can help them regain a sense of normality and improve overall treatment outcomes.

Individualized care is essential in psychiatric nursing, as it involves understanding patients as unique individuals with lives beyond their mental illness. This perspective allows nurses to tailor interventions and assessments to meet the individual needs of each patient.

The Malaysia Nursing Board is responsible for issuing Registration Certificates, Registration Statements, Badges, and duplicate badges to mental health nurses.