Discussion Board Week 4 By Shanell McFadden

Discussion Board Week 4shanell Mcfaddenfor This Weeks Discussion Boar

This week's discussion involved utilizing ProQuest within the Walden Library to search for peer-reviewed articles focused on mental health. The participant acknowledged that while ProQuest is accessible to Walden students, it may not be available to all colleagues, limiting its recommendation for broader professional use. Challenges encountered included keyword selection, which often resulted in an overwhelming number of results, some of which did not fit the specific focus of mental health issues. Effective searching required refining keywords and using filters within the database. An example article discussed was "Meeting The Needs of People with Mental Illness" (Ramirez, 2016), highlighting the expansion of healthcare access for individuals with mental illnesses, the role of policies in advancing mental health services, and the regulatory barriers that limit the scope of practice for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs). The participant expressed a personal motivation rooted in family experiences with mental illness and a desire to contribute to addressing the shortage of PMHNPs, a field that has grown significantly since certification exams became available in 1999. The discussion reflected a commitment to advancing mental health care and a recognition of the importance of research and policy in shaping practice.

Paper For Above instruction

In today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment, research plays a vital role in informing practice, especially within specialized fields such as mental health nursing. The process of conducting scholarly research often involves navigating academic databases to find relevant, high-quality sources that support evidence-based practice. This paper explores the experience of conducting research on mental health topics using ProQuest via the Walden Library, emphasizing the challenges faced and the strategies employed to overcome them, as well as discussing the importance of peer-reviewed literature in advancing nursing practice.

Using academic databases like ProQuest offers invaluable access to peer-reviewed articles that contribute to a deeper understanding of mental health issues affecting diverse populations. However, the search process can be daunting due to the sheer volume of information available. As the participant noted, broad keyword searches frequently result in a flood of results, many of which may not be directly relevant. To mitigate this, it is essential to use refined search strategies, including the use of filters, specific keywords, and Boolean operators, which help narrow down results to the most pertinent articles. For example, incorporating specific phrases like “mental health policy” or “psychiatric nurse practitioners” can help target more relevant literature (Bachman & Schutt, 2019). Effective search strategies are fundamental in ensuring that nurses and researchers obtain current, pertinent data to inform practice decisions and policy development.

Moreover, the selection of trustworthy sources is critical. Peer-reviewed articles undergo rigorous evaluation processes, ensuring the validity and reliability of the findings. For instance, an article like "Meeting The Needs of People with Mental Illness" (Ramirez, 2016) provides valuable insights into healthcare policy changes, legislative acts, and the expansion of mental health services—areas crucial for nurse practitioners working in mental health. Such literature highlights how the evolving scope of practice for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) influences the delivery of care. The challenges faced during research—such as filtering irrelevant results—are common among students and professionals alike. Utilizing database filters related to publication date, peer-review status, and subject matter can improve search efficiency and outcome relevance (Brown & Green, 2020).

In addition to technical strategies, an understanding of the research process itself enhances the quality of academic work. This includes critical appraisal skills, such as evaluating the methodology, sample size, and implications of the studies reviewed (Polit & Beck, 2017). For example, analyzing the study by Ramirez (2016) involves examining how policy changes have historically impacted the mental health workforce and patient access to care. Such critical evaluation helps foster a comprehensive understanding that can be integrated into clinical practice or further research initiatives.

Furthermore, personal motivation plays a role in guiding research interests. The participant’s motivation—driven by personal family experiences with mental illness and a desire to address the shortage of mental health providers—illustrates how individual experiences can influence scholarly pursuits. Engaging in research not only advances knowledge but also aligns with professional and personal goals, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare outcomes. The interest in expanding access to mental health services underscores the importance of evidence-based advocacy and policy reform undertaken through scholarly research.

In conclusion, effective research in mental health nursing requires strategic database navigation, critical appraisal skills, and a focus on peer-reviewed, evidence-based literature. Overcoming challenges such as information overload through refined search techniques enhances the ability to find relevant, reliable sources. As mental health issues continue to grow globally, the role of nurses and nurse practitioners remains vital in advocating for policies backed by rigorous research, thereby improving patient care and health outcomes. Continuous engagement with scholarly literature will remain an essential component of professional development and evidence-based practice in mental health nursing.

References

• Bachman, L. J., & Schutt, R. K. (2019). Fundamentals of social work research. Sage Publications.
• Brown, T., & Green, A. (2020). Strategies for effective database searching in nursing research. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(2), 150-157.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
• Writing Center. (2020). Scholarly writing: Overview. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.uoregon.edu
• Writing Center. (2020). What is academic writing? Retrieved from https://writingcenter.uoregon.edu
• Chapman, S. A., Phoenix, B. J., Hahn, T. E., & Strod, D. C. (2018). Utilization and economic contribution of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in public behavioral health services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S243-S249.
• Sapp, A. J., & Hooten, P. (2019). Working with families impacted by the opioid crisis: Education, best practices, and providing hope. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 33(5), 243-251.
• Ramirez, J. (2016). Meeting the needs of people with mental illness: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. Journal of Mental Health Policy & Economics, 19(1), 42-46.
• Young, C. C., & Calloway, S. J. (2020). Assessing mental health stigma: Nurse practitioners’ attitudes regarding managing patients with mental health disorders. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 32(6), 360-367.
• Chapman, S. A., Phoenix, B. J., Hahn, T. E., & Strod, D. C. (2018). Utilization and economic contribution of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in public behavioral health services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S243-S249.