Final answer:
A new staff nurse on a psychiatric unit can expect that an advanced practice nurse will conduct mental health assessments, establish therapeutic relationships, individualize nursing care plans, and possibly prescribe psychotropic medication, depending on the state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
A staff nurse newly oriented to a psychiatric unit can expect an advanced practice nurse to perform a variety of interventions beyond those of a registered nurse. These interventions may include:
- Conducting mental health assessments: Advanced practice nurses have expertise in diagnosing and evaluating mental health conditions.
- Establishing therapeutic relationships: They are skilled in building trust and rapport with patients to facilitate treatment.
- Individualizing nursing care plans: They tailor care plans to meet the specific needs of each patient based on assessment findings.
- Prescribing psychotropic medication: Depending on state laws and advanced practice nurses' scope of practice, they may have prescribing privileges for mental health medications.
The additional responsibilities of an advanced practice nurse combine clinical expertise in patient care with an expanded scope of practice that includes diagnosis and treatment planning.