Psychiatric Nursing Case Study

Nursing is an occupation that deals with humans and relies upon human relationships. Because of this, nursing generally attracts individuals with similar traits and values. Most nurses possess a passion for helping people, as well as caring and compassionate personality traits. Each subset of nursing attracts people with similar values or passions as well. For example, individuals who enjoy the personal relationship side of healing, might enjoy mental health or psychiatric nursing. Psychiatric nursing is a very specialized type of nursing. It is less focused on medical interventions, and more focused on symptom management and therapeutic relationships. Most mental health patients are not seeking a surgical fix or a medical cure. They require

But these three things may not always coincide with one another. Medical ethics includes codes of behavior related to beneficence, autonomy, and respect for the autonomy of others, nonmalfeasance, truthfulness and honesty, respect for confidentiality, avoiding discrimination, information and informed consent, and fulfilling duties and obligations (Eren, 2014). The notion of morality, which is related to and often considered interchangeable with ethics, includes unwritten rules that differ among societies and various groups of people depending on their religious, ethnic, and sexual identities (Eren, 2014). A patient’s wishes, may not be beneficial for their health. This is a common problem in mental health nursing. The most common ethical problems are those related to restriction of personal autonomy, which become particularly important in inpatient settings, such as medication non-compliance (Eren, 2014). Patients have the autonomy to refuse treatment, but this in turn may heighten their mental disease symptoms. It may be hard for medical professionals to feel morally right in allowing a mental health patient to refuse any help, such as therapies or medication. Respecting a patient’s decision to refuse treatment may be one of the most morally difficult things that medical professionals must manage. But, it is a basic human right and demonstration of

One way that has personally proven to be the most difficult for me, is separating the patients from their disease symptoms. Mental health nurses usually see patients at their absolute worst. When symptoms are not managed, and the disease is un-controlled, is usually when patients are admitted to the hospital. During this time, symptoms may be so severe, their true personality is hidden. One way that I have found to be helpful in reaching out to the individual, and to find the essence of themselves is by listening. I have been able to pick up on ques that may highlight the essence of the patient. For example, a woman with severe bipolar disease was brought into the psych unit after a manic episode. When talking with her, I recognized her deep compassion for her children and could pick up on her caring nature. She was wildly erratic during the hospital stay, but by listening to what she was saying, though it was senseless, I could tell she was a very caring and loving person. This is a skill that I will improve upon, as I was not able to see beyond many patients’ symptoms. But, with some experience, I believe I will be able to see the individuals as clearly as the experienced psychiatric nurses on the