'Informational Interview' Questions about Psychiatric/Menatal Health Nursing

[carlyhylton]

Hi all,

First and foremost, I'm a new member to the forum so I apologize if I am not posting this in an appropriate place or if this is redundant! I did a quick search through the forum, and didn't see any similar posts but if anyone knows of an existing thread that is similar if you could direct me there that would be great : )

I am an undergraduate psychology student in Toronto, Canada, and I have recently decided that I would like to apply to nursing programs in hopes of pursuing a career in psychiatric/mental health nursing. As such, I don't know much about the profession, and was wondering if anyone might be willing to answer some questions about the profession that I have.

If so, firstly, I was wondering if you could describe some of the most important positions that you have held over the course of your career as a mental health nurse, and a general description of what a typical day looked like in some of these roles. While I am generally familiar with what the role of a nurse is in more traditional roles, I have learned that the scope of practice of a mental health nurse is more broad than I had assumed, and I would love some insight into what this scope of practice entails.

Secondly, I was wondering if you could describe your role in the research you have been involved in as a nurse. I think I would like to remain involved in research throughout my career, and would appreciate some insight into what kind of role nurses play in mental health and mental health care research.

Thirdly, ​​I was wondering if you could describe what some of your future career goals, and what experiences thus far have contributed to these aspirations and shaped you to be eligible to pursue these goals.

​Finally, would you have any general advice for someone planning to pursue a career in mental health nursing?

Sorry for the long, detailed post, and thank you to anyone who might be able to provide any insight into these questions! I hope this is not too much to ask. I think the information you might be able to provide will prove invaluable as I process in my studies.

Thanks in advance!

-Carly

[ormental]

Hi, I read your long question;) and I like all of them. I was a mental health nurse, now I am a search assistant approximately 2 years. mental healt nursing is a discovering yourself and all people, I believe that your chose is best one. but I want to say little things about mental healt nursing. absolutely all nursing professions are worthy, mental health is extraordinary professions.

Sorry my language is not good. I want to help your confusion. I hopefully you deciding on this subject.Take care of yourself[COLOR=#333333].

[lasair]

"describe some of the most important positions "

I am an intern nurse in Ireland, mental health nurses do a bit of everything. So roles I have been in include:

Rehabilitation and Recovery Outreach Mental Health Service : assisting people to live independently in the community, giving them as much or as little help as they need on a daily bases. You have your case load and plan for each person - daily it involves checking in on that person, medication support, they may have physical health needs, you may link them to other services, living arrangements. appointments,

Psychiatry of Old Age - inpatient for dementia with challenging behaviour - assistance with activities of daily living, physical health needs, providing the right environment for the person, family support, medication and moving on once challenging behaviours have decreased.

Acute Adult Mental Health Unit - Everything you can think of

describe your role in the research

I have only just finished college sorry - but there is lots of room for research- here in Ireland if you become a specialist nurses you have to carry out yearly research in your specialist area.

describe what some of your future career goals

I want to work in eating disorders. I am currently working in the adult inpatient unit and am caring for a girl with anorexia nervous. I gained interest through class theory and spending a month in Child and Adolescent. My other interest is either cognitive impairment so I like working with learning disabilities and dementia patients. I find it really interesting. There is so much room to venture into an interested area and so many areas.

GOOD LUCK