Consistent with the philosophy and organizing framework of the nursing program, this assignment is designed to promote written communication skills as well as self-reflection as it relates to caring for patients or family members who have an identified mental health disorder. Using evidence-based nursing journal articles, students will write a formal paper describing a specific mental health disorder, their interaction with someone that has this disorder, and reflect on this interaction and how they communicated with the individual. This project is worth 14% of the final course grade. The points on the Formal Paper assignment will be added to the theory grade if the minimum of 59.93 points is achieved.
1. The student will write a paper referencing at least two (2) evidence-based and peer-reviewed nursing journal articles that are no more than five (5) years old. The paper will be written in American Psychological Association (APA) format (7th edition) and should use professional language. The paper should include the following:
• Introduction (15 points):
Use the title of the paper as the level one header for the first paragraph.
Identify a mental health disorder from the list below:
• Anorexia • Depression (may include post-partum depression)
• Anxiety • PTSD
• Bipolar 1 • Schizophrenia
• Bipolar 2 • Substance abuse (emphasis on addiction disorder, not withdrawal)
Describe the characteristics/manifestations of the selected disorder.
Identify specific risk factors that may lead to the selected disorder.
Cite Boyd & Luebbert within the introduction if information on manifestations and risk factors is summarized from that textbook.
• Analysis (this is the next Level 1 header) (35 points):
Give an example of an individual (patient, family member, friend, peer) who has the mental health disorder identified in the introduction. Please do not use the real name of this individual or explain their relation to you (ex. use Mr. C. instead of Charlie).
Self-reflect on your initial thoughts/feelings when engaging with the individual. Include your emotional reaction to the experience.
This may be told from the first person and may include the use of “I”.
Compare the two (2) manifestations this individual has that correspond with the manifestations noted in the introduction of this paper.
What are two (2) stressors/triggers that worsened the identified mental health disorder for this individual