Choosing a nursing specialty within the MSN program is a pivotal decision that requires careful consideration of one’s professional and academic goals.

QUESTION

EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES *( my specialtie is PMHNP)*

You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.

Often decisions are not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.

To Prepare:

Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.

Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition – 2015Links to an external site.. Retrieved from http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizationsLinks to an external site.. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519.

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organizationLinks to an external site.. Nursing, 48(12), 35-38.

Truant, R., & Chan, R. J. (2017). Future ready: Strengthening oncology nursing leadership in the context of professional oncology nursing organizations. Canadian Oncology Nursing JournalLinks to an external site., 27(1), 2-4.

Walden University. (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)Links to an external site.. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from https://www.waldenu.edu/masters/master-of-science-in-nursing

Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template Download Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template(Word document)

Choose among the following to review your specialization’s Scope and Standards of Practice or Competencies:

Nursing Informatics

Ebook: Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice 
American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing informatics: Scope and standards of practiceLinks to an external site. (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

“The Scope of Nursing Informatics Practice: Functional Areas of Nursing Informatics” (pp. 18-39)

Nursing Education

Website: Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Eeducators
National League for Nursing. (2022). Nurse educator core competencyLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.nln.org/education/nursing-education-competencies/core-competencies-for-academic-nurse-educators

Note: The competencies for the Academic Nurse Educator do not encompass the competencies or scope and standards of practice for the Nursing Professional Developer. The set of competencies associated with that specific role within the Nurse Education specialization will be examined in future competencies throughout your specialization program of study.

Nurse Executive

Website: Nurse Executive Competencies
American Organization for Nursing Leadership. (2015). AONL Nurse Executive competenciesLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Public Health Nursing

Website: Public Health Nursing Competencies
Quad Council Coalition. (2018). Community/Public Health Nursing [C/PHN] competenciesLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.cphno.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/QCC-C-PHN-COMPETENCIES-Approved_2018.05.04_Final-002.pdf

American Nurses Association. (2013). Public health nursing: Scope and standards of practiceLinks to an external site. (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author.

APRN

Website: APRN Consensus Model
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & educationLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care and Primary Care NP Competencies

Website: AGAC and ACPC NP Competencies
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competenciesLinks to an external site.. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies

Website: Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner core competenciesLinks to an external site.. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf

Nurse Practitioner Programs

Website: Nurse Practitioner Programs
National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education. (2016). Criteria for evaluation of Nurse Practitioner programsLinks to an external site. (5th ed.). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/EvalCriteria2016Final.pdf

Population-Focused NP Competencies

Website: Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies
Population-Focused Competencies Task Force. (2013). Population-focused Nurse Practitioner competencies.Links to an external site. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/Competencies/CompilationPopFocusComps2013.pdf

ANSWER

Choosing a nursing specialty within the MSN program is a pivotal decision that requires careful consideration of one’s professional and academic goals. The specialization of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) has been a compelling choice for me due to its unique blend of clinical and psychological aspects. As I deliberated on this decision, I encountered challenges in weighing the scope and potential impact of each specialization. Conversations with colleagues in the MSN program’s Discussion forum provided valuable insights, helping me to narrow down my choice.

The PMHNP specialization resonates with me as it aligns with my aspiration to provide holistic care to individuals dealing with mental health challenges. The blend of advanced nursing skills and psychological interventions offered by this specialization will empower me to make a significant difference in patients‘ lives. The ability to diagnose, treat, and support patients with mental health disorders is compelling and aligns with my passion for advocating for mental health awareness and destigmatization.

One professional organization related to the PMHNP specialization is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). Becoming an active member of APNA will offer networking opportunities, access to the latest research and guidelines, and a platform to collaborate with like-minded professionals. By engaging with APNA, I can stay updated on the evolving field of psychiatric-mental health nursing, contribute to research and practice advancements, and enhance my credibility within the specialization.

In conclusion, the decision to pursue the PMHNP specialization is rooted in my passion for addressing mental health challenges and my desire to offer comprehensive care to patients. The support and insights gained from fellow colleagues in the MSN program’s Discussion forum have solidified my choice. Becoming an active member of APNA will enable me to further enrich my knowledge, collaborate with experts, and contribute meaningfully to the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing.