Psychiatric Nurses Face Many Challenges and Rewards

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you have a loved one who suffers from a debilitating mental condition, you can certainly appreciate the work that Psychiatric Nurses perform. These angels of mercy specialize in treating people with such mental disorders as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and psychosis.



The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) defines psychiatric mental health nursing as specialty practice focusing on the "identification of mental health issues, prevention of mental health problems, and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders."



Psychiatric nurses usually receive additional training in behavioral therapy. This is understandable, since these nurses must be equipped to teach patients and their families how to deal with the many behavioral challenges faced by those suffering from mental disorders. This is one reason why psychiatric nursing is one of the most difficult in the practice of nursing fields. Yet it can also be one of the most rewarding careers in medicine. Psychiatric nurses must be able to empathize with patients who, at times, appear confused and helpless. Psychiatric nurses don't just treat elderly patients, but patients of all ages.



The APNA is gearing up for its 24th Annual Conference, which will be held October 13-16 in Louisville, Kentucky. This year's program includes two exciting keynote speakers who are nationally and internationally known advocates of psychiatric-mental health nursing: Eric Arauz and Ronald Manderscheid, PhD. Eric Aruaz is a national award winning consumer advocate who had been diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder and alcoholism in 1995. Mr. Aruaz will talk about his journey through the suffering and trauma he and others who were similarly afflicted have endured.



Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.