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Psychology is a broad field that encompasses both a person's mental and behavioral aspects. It can be used in any profession, but few rely on it as heavily as nursing. 

Nurses are frequently responsible for providing emotional support to patients, so understanding how psychology applies to them is critical to their success. Every human being, it could be argued, is a psychologist. 

Nurses provide better care when they interact with patients from diverse backgrounds. A psychology degree can equip you as a healthcare professional with the tools you need to provide the best care to patients and accurately identify mental health issues. 

This article will go over some critical areas where psychology affects nursing and why it is critical for nurses to learn more about this subject. 

What Is the Importance of Psychology in Nursing? 

Nursing is a profession with numerous subspecialties. To be a successful nurse, one must first understand psychology and its role in the profession. 

Clinical psychologists are frequently important members of the healthcare team. They assist patients in developing coping skills for mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, as well as educating them on behavioral interventions for chronic pain management. 

Clinical psychologists also assist patients in comprehending the effects of mental illness on their daily lives. Clinical psychology is important in nursing because it teaches nurses how to change their behaviors in order to better assist patients with their needs and desires. 

There are many different types of nurses, including those who work in schools as teachers' aides for special education students and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners who work primarily with children, adolescents, adults, and seniors who have physical or emotional problems that interfere with their ability to function on a daily basis. 

Psychology Applications: 

Having psychological knowledge also allows nurses to persuade patients to follow their instructions, resulting in patients taking an active role in their own health. 

Psychological understanding can also lead to increased compassion in the workplace, which benefits patient care. 

Nurses who have studied psychology will be better able to recognize when something is wrong with a patient because they will pay close attention to what the person says and how he or she expresses himself or herself verbally and nonverbally. 

They'll be able to tell if someone's complaints about pain are valid by looking for physical evidence like bruising or swelling, as well as whether certain behaviors indicate depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. 

Nursing Careers in Psychology 

All nurses can benefit from the use of psychology in their nursing careers. It is applicable to all nursing professions and levels, from entry-level to executive leadership positions. 

Nurses with a background in psychology may also work as consultants or case managers, utilizing their skills to provide counseling services or psychological evaluations on behalf of physicians." 

Here are some nursing jobs that are related to psychology. 

• Psychiatric-mental health nurses

These nurses care for patients suffering from mental illnesses such as depression. They offer counseling as well as medical treatments like medication or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 

A PMHN collaborates closely with psychologists to create treatment plans and track patient progress. In some cases, they also serve as social workers, assisting patients in obtaining resources such as housing assistance and vocational rehabilitation services. 

• Hospice Care Nursing 

End-of-life care is a critical and delicate service to provide. Clinical psychologists can assist in addressing emotional needs such as fear or confusion that may arise as a patient nears death. 

They also offer bereavement counseling after a patient has died, assisting family members in coping with their loss and avoiding complicated grief reactions such as depression or substance abuse issues. 

• Home Care Nurses 

Home care nursing, like hospice nursing, entails a significant amount of work. This is due to the fact that the majority of patients are elderly and require a variety of services. One of the primary services provided by home care nurses to their clients. 

Whether in a hospital, private residence, or nursing facility, self-care skills such as bathing, dressing, and using proper hygiene products are taught. Home care nurses also assist with daily activities such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, and financial management. 

• Schools Nurses

Working with school-aged children can be both challenging and rewarding. Children are frequently unpredictable, making it difficult to plan for a day ahead of time. School nurses must understand children's psychology. 

They understand that, while children may behave well when they are with adults or other children, there is no guarantee that they will continue to behave well throughout the day without something causing them to become upset. 

And, because many issues can arise during lunchtime, recess, or after school hours (when no adult is present), identifying potential issues before they occur helps to avoid conflict between teachers and students later on. 

• Nursing in the Faith Community 

A church nurse or parish nurse's primary role is to provide spiritual care and comfort to dying patients. Church nurses may pay home visits to terminally ill people, providing physical care such as bathing, dressing wounds, changing bed linens, and assisting those who use catheters or colostomy bags. 

They may also advise patients on how to cope with their illnesses and how to manage pain through medication dosages and other methods. 

Conclusion: 

Psychology has a significant influence on the nursing profession. Nurses must understand psychology in order to better treat patients and assist them with their mental health.