Investigative Report About the Role, Responsibility, and Functions of a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ABOUT THE ROLE,
RESPONSIBILITY, AND FUNCTIONS OF A MENTAL
HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Aim.............................................................................................................................................3
Data obtaining method...............................................................................................................3
Ethical consideration..................................................................................................................3
Limitations.................................................................................................................................3
Validity of research....................................................................................................................4
Discussion..................................................................................................................................4
Professional bodies.................................................................................................................4
Workplace settings.................................................................................................................4
Key professional qualities and values....................................................................................5
Other agencies to work with...................................................................................................6
Teamwork...............................................................................................................................6
Professional supervision.........................................................................................................7
Ethical dilemmas....................................................................................................................7
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................8
Reference list..............................................................................................................................9

Introduction
The topic of the research is about investigation of different roles and responsibilities of a
mental health nurse. Information was gathered from primary sources in the form of
interviews and supported by secondary sources like journals and websites. This group of
professional mental health nurses plays different roles like planning and providing support to
mental health (MH) patients. Support includes medical and nursing care, which helps patients
to get relief from different MH conditions. Different skills like communication are necessary
for this profession. In this report, elaboration of different factors that regulate and impact on
mental health nursing practice is evaluated.
Aim
The aim of this research is to investigate the main roles, responsibilities, and functions of a
mental health Nurse practitioner (MHNP).
Data obtaining method
In this case, both primary and secondary data have been obtained. As mentioned by Schnall
(2016), MHNPs experience and learn from working. Due to this reason, information based on
real-life can be gathered through primary data collection methods. In the case of this study, a
face-to-face interview of an MHNP has been taken to obtain primary data. This information
can be reviewed from the printed version of the PowerPoint presentation developed in the
previous assignment. On the other hand, secondary resources have been collected from
authentic books, websites, and journals. This information is based on the past and present
literature about the functions, difficulties, and responsibilities of MHNP. Comparing and
contrasting the secondary information gathered helps to develop a clear understanding of the
topic of the research.
Ethical consideration
During the time of data collection, all ethical guidelines have been maintained. Before
collecting the primary information, the aim and the process of this research were informed to
the selected MHNP. After getting the consent, the information has been gathered. During the
data collection, the respondent has not been forced to provide any personal information. It has
been promised that the confidentiality of this data will be maintained. Moreover, the name of
the practitioner has not been revealed as per the request. On the other hand, secondary
information that is open to all has been reviewed. While comparing and contrasting
secondary information, the names of the authors have been mentioned clearly to show
gratitude to them for their valuable contribution to this research.
Limitations

This investigation is limited to the primary data collected from interviews and secondary
sources. However, stakeholders related to the MHNP could be included in this study. It could
help to understand the perspective of other stakeholders of the healthcare sector towards
MHNP. This limitation has not affected the reliability of the outcome of this research as it is
purely based on the data from real experience and knowledge of an MHNP. Another
limitation of this research is that it is entirely dependent on the information shared by only
one MHNP. Due to this reason, the authenticity of the limited gathered data may affect the
reliability of this research.
Validity of research
Research can be called valid if it can meet the aim of the research. In this case, the data has
been collected and analyzed to meet the research aim. The findings have helped to meet the
aim of understanding the functions, roles, and responsibilities of MHNP successfully. The
limitations have not affected the final result. As the information analyzed was collected from
authentic sources, a valid result has been generated at the end of this investigation.
Discussion
Professional bodies
Different regulatory bodies control the conduct of MHNP in workplace settings. The Care
Quality Commission of the UK is an independent regulator of safety and quality of care
(Hse.gov.uk, 2020). Different local providers, independent providers, and voluntary
organizations come under the control of this professional body. They regulate the practice of
MHNP for providing the best service to the patients. They regulate mental health services and
practices in different regions. CQC registered different care services under the act of health
and social care of 2008. This regulatory body focuses on the outcomes achieved by the
people who use services regarding MH.
The mental health act helps to provide services to people with different mental illnesses and
protect their rights (Hse.gov.uk, 2020). This act controls the delivery of service during the
provision of MH care. This act also helps to provide training to MHNPs for improving the
quality of service. MHNP are also registered under the nursing and midwifery council
(NMC). The main aim of this council is to provide protection to professionals from poor
practice. It can be seen that there are about 290000 registered nurses with NMC, among
which 34000 are MHNP (Nmc.org.uk, 2020). This council also teaches professional values
and skills to nurses.
Workplace settings

The MHNP usually works in hospitals and also in communities because the majority of care
regarding MH is offered in these places. Besides, Maybery et al. (2016) stated that MHNP
also works in a residential setting where 24 hours of care is necessary. While working in a
residential setting, the nurses work in shifts. Within a hospital setting, nurses work in
different units. This includes psychiatric intensive care units, outpatient departments, and
psychiatric wards. Moreover, they also work in other units that are related to any sorts of MH
disorders.
In community settings, MHNP works in different places, which includes prison, GP surgery,
community centers that provide different healthcare services including MH. Besides, they
also work in homes of patients and different residential centers (Healthcareers.nhs.uk, 2020).
Senior MHNP often plays the role of administrative officers who oversee different MH
programs, which includes suicidal prevention and trauma recovery. Moreover, senior MHNP
also work with different government projects. This includes the integration of primary care
and MH. Moreover, many professionals in this sector also work with registered counselors
(Healthcareers.nhs.uk, 2020). In this setting, they assist those counselors in providing
treatment. Senior MHNP also provides training to other junior nurses. This is an essential
duty that they have to perform because proper training helps to increase essential professional
skills of junior staff. They act as a mentor in this situation and help to increase their skills and
competencies.
Key professional qualities and values
MHNP needs to have the quality of building relationships with clients. According to
Tomizawa et al. (2017), this quality helps to gain clients' trust and it becomes easier to know
their issues. It has been found that effective communication between MHNP and patients
makes patients trust the concerned nurse. As a result, they share their problems clearly and
cooperate with the treatment process. On the other hand, Young (2016) has contradicted that
relationships need to build with friends and family members of patients with mental illness.
Often, it is seen that patients of the MH sector fail to make decisions about their treatment on
their own. At those points, MHNPs need to communicate with their family members to help
them to make the right decision on the patients' behalf. Another quality required for
becoming a good MHNP is to observe record and react to the behavioral changes of patients.
Mentally ill patients often undergo mood swings and certain behavioral changes. MHNPs are
responsible for conveying these changes to their hierarchy as early as possible. Other
qualities of MHNP include providing physical support to patients, providing counseling,
psychological therapies and medical supports as required (Inputyouth.co.uk, 2020). Making

clients believe in their abilities and enhancing the level of self-confidence in clients are other
qualities that an MHNP must-have. An MHNP needs to have the quality of working with the
healthcare team.
An MHNP needs to have an understanding of the core values of diversity and equality. As
mentioned by Morris and Wester (2018), MHNPs need to treat every patient equally free
from all kinds of biases. Patients may hold specific religious beliefs and different cultural
backgrounds. However, an MHNP is always responsible to provide care to them through
valuing their dignity and beliefs.
Other agencies to work with
An MHNP may work in different healthcare settings. As mentioned by Morris and Wester
(2018), MHNPs are required in specialist units of hospitals, outpatient departments of
hospitals, different community MH centers and different residential units that are secured. In
the UK, there are different agencies that help job seekers to join organizations for the role of
MHNP. For example, agencies including Care-Hire Solutions Ltd., UK Instant Healthcare
and other agencies are there to help MHNPs to get a job. It has been found that these nurses
can work in different agencies including psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals, community
health companies, home healthcare companies (Nursejournal.org, 2020). Moreover, Adderley
et al.(2019) have mentioned that MHNPs can work individually as private medical
practitioners. MHNPs are bound to work with different professionals when they are put into
healthcare teams. For example, they often work with psychiatrists, social workers, advanced
practice psychiatric nurses, and psychologists. Moreover, MHNPs work with psychiatrists
that are concerned for child patients of the MH sector. As mentioned by Worden (2018), they
need to cooperate with their team members and rely on the decisions of their hierarchies
while working in different agencies.
Teamwork
Effective teamwork is globally recognized and is an important tool for the construction of
more patient-centered care. As opined by Campbell et al. (2019), effective teamwork in MH
nursing helps to increase the quality of the delivery system. Proper teamwork in this
profession helps to increase creativity in the practice. This is because complicated problems
can be mitigated through the help of effective teamwork. Moreover, McIntosh and Gournay
(2017) argued that effective teamwork of MHNPs helps to increase the care level of an
organization. Team-based health care can be provided to the patients, which can help to
increase their trust. Healthcare services, which are team-based, support collaborative working
with patients and their families. This helps to increase their engagement with the treatment

providers and thus better outcomes can be achieved. Proper teamwork and collaboration also
help to acquire information about the treatment process and patient cues properly.
Teamwork for MHNPs is essential because the treatment process in modern times is getting
complicated as new techniques are included. Hence, MH nurses need to learn new methods
quickly and properly, which is possible only through effective teamwork. On the other hand,
Doyle et al. (2018) contradicted that an increase in aging populations is increasing the
number of MH disorders, which includes eating disorders, anxiety, PTSD and others. Hence,
teamwork is essential for taking multidisciplinary approaches regarding healthcare. Doyle et
al. (2018) also found that working together reduces the number of medical errors, which
impacts on treatment outcomes. Teamwork decreases different workplace-related
complications like burnout and stress that helps to increase the performance and productivity
of MHNPs.
Professional supervision
Professional supervision of proper quality is very important for the excellent practice of
nursing. Professional supervision of MHNP helps them to understand organizational culture
properly. Besides, they can easily get adapted with a service-user-based approach, which
helps to improve the quality of their daily practice (Ye et al. 2018). Regular professional
supervision helps to increase the performance of nu8rses by increasing their essential skills.
Supervision can also be used to bring in a positive change among MHNP. This change can be
related to their performance or way of practice. As mentioned earlier, new methods and
techniques are getting included in MH practice, which requires professionals to change their
way of work. Proper monitoring and supervision help to achieve these objectives. Nursing
leaders and directors need to conduct this supervision, which will ensure that MHNPs are
adhering to the nursing codes and standards (MacLaren et al. 2016). Hence, effective
treatment can be ensured to the patients. Gaps in the performance of MHNPs and improper
practice behavior can be identified through this approach. This can help to find the training
requirements of the professionals and thus service quality can be improved. Professional
supervision is an important factor, which needs to be considered by every organization
related to mental health.
Ethical dilemmas
MHNPs face different ethical dilemmas while providing care to patients with mental health
issues. According to Worden (2018), most of the older patients show aggressiveness at the
later stages of their mental disorder. However, MHNPs are bound to remain ethical and
remain polite during dealing with these patients. They always perform the ethical duties of

protecting the mental and physical well being of patients. Sometimes, these nurses face
dilemmas to choose between their ethical and legal duties. For example, in severe cases,
patients prefer to have autonomy in making decisions. Schnall (2016) has mentioned that
nurses are legally bound to listen to the decisions of family members in these cases for the
wellbeing of the patient. On the other hand, these nurses face dilemmas in choosing the right
way to play their roles. For example, they need to choose between being profitable or being
moral in some situations. In these kinds of situations, they need to be moral and they need to
provide value-based care to all patients with mental health issues.
Conclusion
MH nurses help to provide support to patients with different mental disorders through
effective planning and care. Roles of this profession are essential because it helps to satisfy
needs in different settings that include hospitals and communities. Different standards and
regulatory authorities manage this profession and help to provide proper care to the service
users. Teamwork is essential in this profession as it helps to make quick decisions and reduce
medical errors. Professional supervision is also necessary to increase their efficiency and
provide proper care to patients by mitigating gaps in performance. It has been found that a
MHNP needs to follow both legal and ethical guidelines.

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