NR 445
Journals (Two) for Mental Health
Please fully answer the questions:
Were you able to achieve your 3 expectations from your mental health clinical rotation and how
did that happen?
Yes, I was able to achieve my expectations from my mental health clinical rotation. They include:
 To learn how to maintain an effective and efficient patient care delivery system in mental healthcare.
 To develop and improve my knowledge on mental health nursing and deliver care in a timely manner
within the constraints of an academic setting.
 To learn how to create a cooperative and collaborative environment that is positive, polite, and ethical
among mental health patients and caregivers Also my therapeutic communication skills have improved
after completing my mental health clinical rotation.
Record a clinical experience that was troubling/challenging to you.
One of the clinical experiences that were troubling and challenging to me was that a patient was denying
mental illness. Patient denial of mental illness is viewed as a natural process including two mechanisms:
the rational rejection of self-stereotype identity and slight self-deception caused by egocentric biases,
which play an important integrative role within the personality.
What was going on that was troubling to you?
The patient denial was my biggest concern, the patient wanted me to believe that he was admitted
unjustly as a result the patient has refused to take any medication that was given to them. Another
troubling thought was how will the patient get better if they decide to refuse to take prescribed
medication. It is certain that the patient's mental health conditions will deteriorate even more.
What was similar or dissimilar to a previous experience in your life?
I relate this patient's condition to a previous experience of a family member who was diagnosed with
high blood pressure and refused to take his blood pressure medications as prescribed by his primary
physician. After a few months of not taking his blood pressure medication, the family member slumped
while at work and developed a stroke before he was rushed to the emergency. Today, the family member
is suffering from a stroke because he refused to take his blood pressure medications.
What emotional response influenced your reactions?
The emotions that the patient is passing through chronic stress, and they are unaware of the
consequences. Chronic stress is caused by negative attitudes and emotions of helplessness and
hopelessness, which disrupt the body's hormone balance, depletes the brain chemicals needed for
happiness, and weakens the immune system. Chronic stress has been shown to shorten our lives.
In priority order, identify what you would do in this situation in the future?
Use therapeutic communication to explain to the patient why they need to work with their psychiatrist
to find a lasting solution to their mental health condition.
Find out what coping skills works for the patient and what makes them happy and encourage patient to
use their coping skills to enhance their condition.
Encourage the patient to participate in support groups that will help him acknowledge and accept their
condition and seek treatment.
Introduce the patient to outpatient care to help with any therapy the patient may require outside the
hospital, after discharge.