While nurse practitioners initially work with the identified patient, Murray Bowen maintains it is the reciprocal functioning of all the members of the family which contributes to the emotional intensity of the patient. The emotional symptoms of an individual are an expression of the emotional symptoms of the family, which are often embedded in patterns of behaviors from past generations. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding Bowen's theoretical concepts of family systems theory and apply these concepts to a family in therapy.

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BackgroundEvidence shows that smoking cessation interventions are effective in reducing individual's smoking behavior. Despite tobacco cessation efforts, individuals with mental illness smoke more than do members of the general population.ObjectiveThis study's objective was to determine whether educating nurses to use an evidence-based brief tobacco intervention would improve educating patients on smoking cessation and lead to more patients accepting nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).MethodsThis study was conducted on a 28-bed mood disorder unit of a Midwestern U.S. psychiatric teaching hospital and used a pre/postchart review. Fourteen nurses participated in the education program that included a PowerPoint presentation, handouts, and weekly e-mails.ResultsEight weeks after the educational program, statistically significant increases were found in nurses' electronic health record documentation of providing patient education on smoking cessation and patients' acceptance of NRT.ConclusionsThis study's education program was successful in promoting smoking cessation education among psychiatric nurses, with an increase of patients accepting NRT.Implications for NursingTraining nurses to use a brief tobacco intervention proved to be an effective short-term method for addressing the high rate of smoking among a group of psychiatric patients.

BackgroundAlthough interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has been discussed for over 40 years, in nursing education as well as the majority of health professionals, education continues to primarily take place in silos with curricula that is discipline specific. Educators need to implement models of education that are linked to collaborative practice and team-based care.ObjectivesTo introduce the principles from the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioners Faculties Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies into the coursework. To demonstrate an application process for incorporating collaboration in their future nurse practitioner roles.MethodStudents in the Doctor of Nursing Practice mental health nurse practitioner program participated in a set of assignments to develop essential knowledge and skills for integration of IPC into practice. A pretest–posttest design was used to evaluate student attitudes towards IPC following immersion in IPC subject matter and experiential learning with other healthcare providers working together to coordinate patient care.ResultsThere were significant findings for six of the 18 survey questions. This project can serve as an example for successful implementation of IPE in the nursing curricula.

Depression is the most common mental health disorder in children and adolescents, and primary care is often the first point of contact for children and adolescents with depression. Depression impacts all areas of life, impairing academics and interactions with family and friends. The purpose of this article is to help NPs identify and treat children and adolescents presenting with depression in the primary care setting.

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Introduction Tobacco use is prohibited in most psychiatric facilities in the United States, yet many psychiatric inpatients are tobacco users. Psychiatric nurses have reported inadequate education about best practices for managing tobacco dependence. Aim To explore the feasibility of an educational intervention for psychiatric nurses designed to improve their ability to educate patients about best practices for managing tobacco dependence, as well as effective use of nicotine gum. Method Fourteen nurses on a psychiatric inpatient unit at a community hospital were educated about the targeted topics. Chart reviews of nonequivalent pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were conducted to explore the outcomes of the intervention. Results Patients received more teaching, and used nicotine gum more often, following the intervention. However, no statistically significant differences between the pre-intervention and post-intervention patient groups were found. Discussion Educating nurses about best practices for managing tobacco withdrawal symptoms may have positive outcomes. Existing research suggests that such interventions may be most effective when support and structure are provided to ensure long-term practice changes. Implications for practice This feasibility study demonstrates that a brief nurse education intervention has the potential to improve the experience of tobacco withdrawal for psychiatric inpatients. Future research that expands upon the current project is warranted.

The PTSD Recovery Program, an intervention based on guidelines for the treatment of combat Veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that includes group therapy as adjunctive treatment to medication and individual therapy, was used for the treatment of PTSD in refugees at a clinic in central Texas. Eighteen clients diagnosed with PTSD completed 10 weekly group therapy sessions in addition to individual therapy and medication use. An in-service presentation educated providers on the PTSD Recovery Program and the group therapy intervention. Data were collected using a pre- and postintervention questionnaire. Statistical analysis supports the effectiveness of the PTSD Recovery Program as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD in the refugee population. Participant statements and provider satisfaction are included as qualitative data. Participant statements about symptom improvement, as well as providers' reported satisfaction with the PTSD Recovery Program, support this intervention as an effective adjunctive treatment for PTSD in the refugee population. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57 (5), 21–28.]