Exploring the mental health nurse practitioner scope of practice (Youth Early Psychosis) an anecdotal account
Neville Baker
Austin Health Mental Health Clinical Services Unit
PP: 211 - 220
Abstract
The development of the Victorian mental health nurse practitioner youth early psychosis, is a pioneer advance in clinical psychiatric/mental health nursing.
This paper will explore and describe the scope of practice for the youth early psychosis mental health nurse practitioner candidate, and how the model is informed by relevant literature. The role description and context of the nurse practitioner candidate which is synonymous with the role of the endorsed nurse practitioner is described. Advanced practice nursing is discussed in terms of what the nurse practitioner literature says and contrasted with perceptions of a clinical nurse's everyday practice.
Inherent challenges and issues are highlighted that need to sit in the background of any picture being painted of the mental health nurse practitioner role in Victoria into the future.
An alternative perspective in the mental health care of the young person is proposed for the nurse practitioner scope of practice.
Keywords
Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health, Youth Early Psychosis, Advanced nursing practice, Scope of practice, Public adult mental health services.
Article Text
The aim of this paper is to describe the scope of practice of the mental health nurse practitioner candidate working in a youth early psychosis (YEP) team in Victoria Australia. This is the first time a nurse practitioner role has been allocated to a YEP team in Victoria. Some of the inherent challenges emanating from this role and selected literature are explored. Despite a large number of nurse practitioners in Australia, little is known about the reality of the role from the perspective of the clinicians themselves. Most articles on the role of the mental health nurse practitioner emanate out of academia and are at best third hand accounts (Elsom, Happell, Wand and White).
According to the International Council of Nurses position statement the scope of practice is defined by a legislative framework that communicates to others the roles, competencies (knowledge, skills and attitudes) and the professional accountability of the nurse (ICN 2004). This statement can be applied to the nurse practitioner role and will be demonstrated in describing the nurse working with the young person.
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