Running head: PROFESSIONAL MEETING PAPER 1

Professional Meeting Paper

Ashton Birdsong

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Dr. Mikelaites

November 28, 2018

Honor Code “I Pledge”

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Professional Meeting Paper

I had the pleasure of attending a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) meeting on

November 8th, 2018 at Monument Height Baptist Church. This organization strives to improve

the quality of life of those who suffer from mental illness. This organization’s main goal is

simple: to build better lives for those living with mental illness. Their four main focuses are

educating, advocating, listening, and leading (NAMI, 2018). The meeting was called to order by

Sherwood Atkins, the current president of the area’s NAMI chapter, followed by an array of

material that was presented during the course of the meeting. Guest speakers included NAMI

Virginia’s executive director, Rhonda Thissen, who focused on the importance of advocacy,

along with guest speaker Dr. Anada Pandurangi, who updated the members on the development

of research in the world of mental health. This paper will address the leadership found in NAMI,

the business of healthcare involved within the organization, the advocacy methods NAMI

members are reaching, and lastly, the factors that help ensure the quality and safety of those are

mentally ill.

Application of Course Material

Within any organization, having solid and strong leadership is vital to its survival. What

makes NAMI so special is the democratic style of leadership that this organization is built on.

With this style of leadership, communication moves up and down the chain of command all the

while keeping their staff motivated by their support. During the meeting, they were electing a

new board for 2019. Those running had personal experience with mental illness, whether it being

themselves diagnosed with some mental illness disorder, or a loved on. These future board

members really embodied what authentic leadership is. Like our course content explained,

authentic leaders strive to stay true to themselves, while also having qualities of authenticity,
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humility, purpose, values, heart, relationships, and self-discipline. Those who were running

served as inspiration to their peers by telling their own personal stories of the effects mental

illness has had on their lives, and how much this organization has helped them along the way.

The business side of NAMI is an important aspect to the success and growth of NAMI.

Sherwood Atkins opened the meeting with the organization’s mission statement, which reiterated

the importance of educating, advocating, listening, and leading those affected my mental illness.

NAMI’s mission and goals directly correlates to the curriculum in the business and healthcare

module and it’s lesson on the organizational process. During the meeting, Rhonda Thissen

announced that the NAMI Richmond chapter had a total net amount of $13,000 in assets and

reviewed the upcoming years budget. While NAMI gets most of it’s funding from individual

contributions, many sponsorships, dues, grants, and events all contribute to the cause (NAMI,

2018).

Of all the many roles that nurses take on, serving as a patient’s advocate is by far the

most important role a nurse can take. According to The American Nurses Association, advocacy

is a pillar of nursing. They state that though nurses serve as advocates for their patients within

their workplaces and communities, it is just as important to maintain their advocacy role in the

political and legislative realm in order to advance nursing as a profession and to better serve their

patients (Advocacy, 2018). Rhonda Thissen held a very passionate and detailed discussion on

the importance of advocacy and the strides NAMI is taking to fight for the rights and issues those

who suffer from mental illness face. She went on to explain the struggles that those who suffer

from mental illness are facing, like the lack of housing or suitable housing. She explained

NAMI’s incredible efforts being made to legislation and politicians to express the desperate need

that this population is in. Thissen announced that many NAMI leaders and members plan to
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further their advocacy mission by going to the general assembly and express the need for an

increase in funding to assist in helping to provide potential funding for better transportation

services for patients who are under a temporary detention order, or TDO, instead of being

transported in handcuffs and police cars, as this is very traumatizing for this population. Rhonda

Thissen and other NAMI leaders are direct examples of the organization/community level of the

Advocacy Continuum discussed the course content. As stated by Cindy Cain, DNP, MSN,CNS,

RN, CCRN, “Patient advocacy also means being engaged in the discussion of healthcare’s future

and using our voice to guide the decisions that will impact the future of patient care” (Wood,

2018).

The final portion of this meeting was lead by Dr. Anada Pandurangi, MBBS, MD,

professor of psychiatry at VCU School of Medicine, whose specialties include schizophrenia,

bipolar disorder, psychopharmacology, and electroconvulsive therapy, just to name a few of his

areas of research on his extensive resume. His discussion related to the module of quality and

safety by expressing the importance of continuous education directly correlating with the

deliverance of quality care. Dr. Pandurangi’s updated the members of NAMI on the

advancements that had been made during this past year with the genetic components of mental

illness, different medicinal interventions being used, while also answering any questions he

could by any NAMI members. He stressed the importance that the treatment of mental illness

should not only include medication, but also with extensive psychotherapy. Dr. Pandurangi’s

discussion really strengthened the idea that mental illness is apart of every facet of nursing, and

is not just seen on psychiatric floors. Susan Trossman, senior reported for The American Nurse,

stated that nurses need to get rid of their fear of working with patients with psychiatric disorders,

and one way is through education (Trossman, 2018).

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Reflection

Reflecting on this meeting has only strengthened my view on the importance of nurses

staying involved in their workplace community and up to date in the ever growing and changing

health care community. Nurses take on so many roles on a daily basis, and it would be a

disservice to patients not to be fully educated and updated on what is going on within the health

care world. Nursing is a profession that is constantly filled with learning opportunities and

challenges. By being involved in groups like NAMI, nurses can not only network and discuss

issues and current events with peers around them, but they can learn from each other and build a

stable support system around them. This all positively correlates to nurses giving the upmost

level of care to their patients, which is the best thing a nurse can do.

After this meeting, I have learned that being a great nurse is so much more than working

on your unit. It is about constantly staying up to date on what is new in science and the

advancements being made. It is about interacting with those who suffer from illnesses and their

families outside of the hospital and into meetings like these where their voices can be heard. It is

about being a good role model to those around me. This all makes me fall in love with nursing

even more. It truly is a passion, not just a job, and with all passions come lifelong dedication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NAMI’s incredible mission is helping those with mental illness all over

the nation. By striving to help improve the quality of life with those who suffer from mental

illness by educating, advocating, listening and leading, this organization serves as a valuable

source for every nurse. The NAMI meeting held on November 8, 2018 addressed important

topics such as housekeeping measures for the Richmond chapter, and explanation of the
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legislative strives being made at Capitol Hill by Rhonda Thissen, and an educational discussion

by Dr. Pandurangi on the updates on the development of research in the world of mental health.

This meeting was very educational and opened my eyes to the importance of being involved with

the other, but just as important, side of nursing as a profession.

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References

About NAMI Virginia. (2018). Retrieved November 16, 2018, from

https://namivirginia.org/about-nami-virginia/

Advocacy (2018). Retrieved November 27, 2018 from ANA website:

https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/

Trossman, S. (2018). Overcoming stigma: education and advocacy can make a difference

in mental health care and services. Retrieved on November 29, 2018 from The American

Nurse website: http://www.theamericannurse.org/2011/04/12/overcoming-stigma/

Wood, D. (2018). The importance of nurse advocacy. Retrieved on November 29, 2018 from

the Travel Nursing website: https://www.travelnursing.com/news/career-

development/the-importance-of-nurse-advocacy/