Transforming Psychiatric Nursing Care for the 21st Century

The VA Nurse Academy and the James A Haley VA Psych Nursing Department are pleased to have conducted the collaborative 1st Quarterly Workshop, “Transforming Psychiatric Nursing Care for the 21st Century”, on June 2, 2010. This initial workshop focused on diagnoses of depression and Bipolar Disorders, emphasizing nursing interventions and strategies, as well as Communication and Human Suffering. Speakers included Sherry Smith, APRN, BC (VA), Suzanne Johnson, APRN-C (VA), Betsy Keller, RN, MSN (VA Nurse Academy faculty), Sandra Cadena, PhD, APRN ( VA Nurse Academy Director) and Lois Bolden, PhD, PMHCNS-BC (VA Psych Educator).

The 2nd Quarterly Transforming Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Workshop is scheduled for September 9th. The 3rd Workshop is scheduled on December 2, 2010, 12:00pm until 4:00pm.

These 4 hour workshops will be conducted at the College of Nursing and open to all VA and non-VA professional nurses interested in various topics of mental health and illness in nursing. Specific topics are being developed based upon nursing staff and faculty input and will be announced.

Also, Mental Health Nursing Grand Rounds, an ongoing, collaborative project by the VA Psych Nursing Department, the VA Nurse Academy (VANA) and College of Nursing psych/mental health faculty will be offered monthly when the Transformational Workshops are not scheduled.

The 1st Grand Rounds is scheduled for August 25th, 12:00pm til 1:00pm at the VA SCI 3rd floor conference room.

Mental Health Grand Rounds focusing on various topics are scheduled on October 27th and November 17, 2010. Specific topics and rooms will be announced. Continuing Education credits are awarded for every Workshop and Grand Rounds. Please mark your calendars and watch for additional information.

Picture retrieved from website http://www4.va.gov/oaa/vana/ 6-9-2010