Please Identify A Professional Practice Issue For Wh

Please Identify A Professional Practice Issue For Wh

Please identify a professional practice issue for which you may pursue as you complete your doctoral studies. Please include how you envision accomplishing this project and how it will change nursing practice. The purpose of this essay is for demonstration of critical thinking related to a practice or patient problem and strategies to resolve or address the problem.

Paper For Above instruction

The professional practice issue I have chosen to focus on during my doctoral studies is the mental health crisis faced by war veterans, particularly those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health disabilities. This issue is profoundly significant due to the increasing number of veterans experiencing mental health problems, compounded by barriers to access, affordability, and social stigma. Addressing these challenges aligns with the broader goals of improving healthcare outcomes and ensuring equitable access to mental health services for this vulnerable population.

The project I envision involves creating a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans with mental health issues within the Miami area of South Florida. This initiative aims to provide accessible mental health services, education, and intervention programs tailored to the unique needs of veterans, especially those who are homeless or face socio-economic barriers. The project will focus on developing community-based interventions, outreach programs, and collaboration with existing healthcare providers to facilitate timely and effective treatment options. By establishing partnerships with local clinics, mental health specialists, and veteran organizations, I intend to develop a comprehensive support network that promotes early diagnosis, ongoing management, and resilience building among veterans.

The population targeted includes active-duty veterans, retired service members, homeless veterans, and those at risk of homelessness. The primary problem is the high prevalence of untreated PTSD and related mental health conditions, which often lead to negative life outcomes such as homelessness, substance abuse, unemployment, and social isolation. The intervention will include psychoeducation, trauma-informed therapy, peer support groups, and mobile mental health clinics to reach underserved populations who may lack transportation or resources to access traditional healthcare settings.

The proposed intervention differs from standard care by emphasizing community-based, accessible, and veteran-centered approaches rather than traditional clinic-based mental health services. Standard care typically involves in-office therapy and medication management, which may not be feasible for homeless veterans or those reluctant to seek help. My project proposes a proactive, outreach-oriented model that brings services directly to the community, thus reducing barriers to access and stigma.

The expected outcomes include increased engagement with mental health services, reduced symptoms of PTSD and other mental health issues, improved quality of life, and decreased homelessness among veterans. Success will be measured through pre- and post-intervention assessments, tracking service utilization, symptom reduction, and housing stability over time. Ultimately, the project aims to foster resilience and empowerment among veterans, enabling them to reintegrate into society successfully.

The proposed site for conducting this project is South Florida, particularly the Miami area, due to its sizable veteran population and existing gaps in mental health services for homeless and underserved veterans. Collaborating with local veteran organizations, clinics, and community centers will facilitate outreach and program implementation.

One of the AACN DNP Essentials that I anticipate may be challenging during project implementation is "Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking." This involves navigating complex healthcare systems, building partnerships, and securing resources. To overcome this challenge, I plan to engage in continuous leadership development, seek mentorship from experienced organizational leaders, and foster collaborative relationships that promote shared priorities and goals.

References

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2006). The Doctor of Nursing Practice: Education Model outlined. Washington, DC: AACN.
  • Department of Veterans Affairs. (2021). Mental health services. VA.gov. https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-services/mental-health-services/
  • Groenewald, C.B., et al. (2019). Community-based interventions for veterans with PTSD: A systematic review. Journal of Veteran Studies, 5(2), 45-60.
  • Knecht, L., et al. (2020). Addressing barriers to mental health care for homeless veterans: Strategies and outcomes. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 44(3), 175-183.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2022). Mental health by the numbers. https://www.nami.org/mhstats
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. (2010). Support for mental health parity. Pub.L. 111–148, 124 Stat. 119, 42 U.S.C. § 300gg-26.
  • Thomas, K.C., et al. (2017). Improving access to mental health care for veterans: Outcomes of community outreach strategies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 53(4), 523-530.
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2018). Homeless veterans. https://www.va.gov/homelessness/homeless-veterans.asp
  • Whitehead, L.C. (2020). Trauma-informed care as a model for veteran mental health services. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(13-14), 2475-2484.
  • Williams, T., et al. (2022). Bridging gaps in mental health services for underserved veterans: Community partnerships and innovations. Military Medicine, 187(1-2), e1174-e1181.

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