course material

1. Discussion: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
Discussion: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitionerDiscussion: Psychiatric mental
health nurse practitionerTopic: As a nurse practitioner, how might you become a social
change agent for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner . Include how you might
advocate for change within your own community.CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR
ASSIGNMENTVirginia Henderson defined the function of a nurse as: “The unique function of
the nurse is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the performance of those activities
contributing to health or its recovery (or to peaceful death) that he would perform unaided
if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge; and to do this in such a way as to help
him gain independence as rapidly as possible” (Henderson, 1966). Social change can be
defined as a “progress, evolution or transition within a culture or society” (Your dictionary,
n.d).A Nurse practitioner was once a nurse who gets advanced training in nursing so they
can operate independently while taking total care of their patient or clients. For straight 15
years in a row, nurses has been rated the most trusted Profession (Gallup, 2016). So the
question is to be a social change agent for psychiatry mental health in the community who is
best suited to do this job among all health care professional? If not the PNP then who and if
not now then, when? According to Walden’s University the mission statement states that
“Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the
opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect
positive social change” (Walden University, 2015), social change is not just something we
talk about—social change is who we areWe’ve learned through history so many times about
how people with psychiatric mental health disorders have been stigmatized by family,
sometimes healthcare providers and the society as a whole. With mental health law there
has been a major progress allowing people with mental health to receive health care
services but still there is considerable disparity in the care received and in the community
altitudes (Mechanic, 2007). However, Bennet explained on how the stigma that comes with
mental health can be removed. Emphasize is place on awareness and acceptance by the
society as whole that mental health illness is as important as physical health
(2015).Furthermore, Social change can only occur when those who are closer to the social
problems develop solutions; as PNP we are closer to the problem and therefore our role is
to create strategic measures that will help the community to be more aware of what mental
health is. Dingfelder report that, focusing more on the positive things that a client living
with mental health has achieved and capable of doing after receiving healthcare services is a
key factor that can change people’s perception about mental illness (2009). Speaking up

2. about the illness and allowing others to understanding mental health disorders as physical
illnesses will help eliminate the stigma (Bennet, 2015)In conclusion, Plawecki, & Amrhein
stated that the “fundamental within this relationship is the understanding that health care
professionals will do everything within their power and expertise to alleviate the suffering
of each patient they treat” (1999) therefore as a Psychiatry nurse practitioners who deliver
front-line care in the community clinics, schools, hospitals, and other settings, we are
obligated as a change agent to create awareness about mental health through teaching,
providing education, and appraisal of what has being achieved by clients that received
proper mental healthcare and in the community and society as a wholeReferencesBennett,
T. (2015). Changing the way society understands mental health. National Alliance onMental
Illness. Retrieved from http://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2015/Changing-The-
Way-Society-Understands-Mental-HealthDingfelder, S. F. (2009). Stigma: Alive and well.
American Psychological Association, 40(6),56.Retrieved
from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/stigma.aspxGallup. (2016). Americans Rate
Healthcare Providers High on Honesty, Ethics. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.gallup.com/poll/200057/americans-rate-h…Mechanic, D. (2007). Mental
health services then and now. Health Affairs, 26(6), 1548–1550.Retrieved
from http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/1548…Plawecki, L. H., & Amrhein, D.
W. (2009). Clearing the err. Journal of Gerontological Nursing,35(11), 26–29. Retrieved
from the Walden Library
databases. http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/…Walden University
Catalog (2015). Vision, Mission, and Goals. Retrieved
fromhttp://catalog.walden.dedu/content.php?catoid=116&navoid=31735. March 1,
2015Your dictionary. (n.d) Definition: Social change. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.yourdictionary.com/social-change