All nurses are guided through their schooling with a set of core values that outlines the behavior and skills required to become a quality nurse in the real world. All of these values link together to produce an individual that is prepared for nursing chaos; two of these values include professionalism and leadership. In a setting that handles mental health patients it is particularly important to display both professionalism and leadership equally to encourage the confidence of the patients. A quality leader is someone who shows the ability to effectively communicate with patients to ensure the safety of both clients and staff. Awareness is also a quality of leadership because mental health can be unpredictable and being aware allows the nurse to keep the composure during unexpected situations. A leader is someone who does not gossip about patients and can redirect the conversation of those that do. A professional nurse is timely, sets realistic goals, and takes accountability for their actions. Mental health nursing can be difficult to navigate, although the professional nurse comes prepared and ready for the day, with all their equipment, a clean uniform, adequate hygiene, and with enough rest from the night before to be at top, operating power (MDHE, 2016). Nurses in leadership roles do not intimidate their patients, but facilitate cooperation by setting an example and through kindness. Being a leader means that you can speak up for what’s right and makes certain that all other voices heard. It’s interesting that these individuals are easily spotted within a crowd, with their confidence shining and determined mindset that allows them to conquer the day.

 

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This week’s focus in the seminar was on professionalism and leadership and how professionalism and leadership are applied in the present mental health course. One main point that stands out for both attitudes is accountability. When discussing mental health practice in the class, the professor mentioned the consistency aspect of taking care of patients using nursing standards that involve moral, altruistic, legal, ethical, regulatory, and humanistic principles (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education [MDHE], 2016). 

Using the nursing standards of care provides high-quality care that is safe and effective for each patient situation, whether in simulation or clinical experience, which helps the nurse to achieve professionalism. The nurse can accomplish this by maintaining professionalism by treating all patients fairly and keeping boundaries by following procedures and protocols. Another way a nurse can maintain professionalism is by effectively communicating with a patient by explaining their care details and addressing any concerns. If a nurse actively listens and provides full attention, it can help promote trust between the nurse and patient. Additionally, a nurse can show professionalism by regulating composure, behaviors and approaching the patient in a non-judgemental approach.

Leadership attitudes are necessary for mental health nursing care and are visible when the nursing student uses critical thinking to assess each patient. Leadership can also be seen by recognizing the importance of an interprofessional team when creating a plan of care specific to the patient (MDHE, 2016). During the planning stage nursing process, leadership can be seen by helping the patient find smart goals that the patient and the healthcare team can realistically achieve for the best health outcome.