Melissa Hinkhouse RE: Discussion
Melissa Hinkhouse RE: Discussion
Melissa Hinkhouse RE: Discussion
Week 6-Melissa Hinkhouse-Original DB Post.
Deciding to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is a decision I have dreamed of for several years. Working in a rural Health care clinic my patients wait 6-12 months before they can see the Psychiatrist or a PMHNP via Telehealth. The access to care is limited and the need is growing rapidly. When I was looking at different schools and read Walden’s description of a PMHNP I knew I had found the school that was for me, “The need for mental health services has never been greater, yet the U.S. continues to face a critical shortage of professionals in the field.” They understood the needs for mental health care, the lack of care available to patients, the fact the need is only going to increase. In the UP of Michigan where I live, we have 2 adult inpatient facilities, none offering care for adolescents. Children must go out of state if they require admission. If you re an adult most patients travel 3-4 hours for care for in-patient
During our readings this week one article states a scholar who has the MSN, “Serves as a consultant to provide additional insight and potential solutions.” (Bickford, 2015), I feel this is imperative to my career goals as a mental health provider. As a nurse now and even more so once my education and degree is advanced I am looking to assist my patients with insight and potential solutions to their mental health problems as well as the lack of accessibility to care in our rural community. The benefit to being part of the solution weighed heavily on my mind in the decision to go back to school to further my education.
I have decided to become a member of the he American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). They offer CEUS, networking and discounts, as a PMHNP I feel like the resources and networking will be key to the specialty area I plan to work. To obtain a membership visit their webpage at www.apna.org. They offer different membership levels. A regular membership is $135.00 for 1 year (engaged in pursuits which further the purposes of the Association. Regular members may vote, serve on committees and seek election to the Board of Directors.)
