The article written by David Shestokas (2012) is aimed at examining the implications of the Florida Mental Health Act. It should be noted that this law enables the involuntary psychiatric examination and possible detention of a person. This action is legitimate in those cases when an individual can pose a danger to oneself or other people due to the effects of a mental disorder. In turn, the author discusses the professional requirements that are set for medical workers who can initiate the involuntary examination of people. For instance, nurses should have a Ph.D. or a Master’s degree in psychiatry (Shestokas, 2012). If advanced practice nurses (APNs) do not meet these standards, they will have no legal right to initiate the detainment of a person (Shestokas, 2012). It is one of the issues that should be taken into account.
Apart from that, nurses should provide clear evidence indicating that an individual can endanger the health or lives of other people. Moreover, they should demonstrate that this person displayed some symptoms of a mental disorder. Provided that this evidence is not available, an individual can file a lawsuit against the medical organization. It is one of the dangers that should not be overlooked.
Overall, APNs should ensure that the rights of people are not violated by medical workers (Rhoades & Murphy, 2015). This task is critical for protecting the dignity of individuals. At the same time, they must avoid legal conflicts that can originate from the unlawful detention of a person. However, these professionals should reach high educational standards to perform such duties efficiently. Thus, the Florida Mental Health Act can transform the work of many healthcare professionals, including APNs.
Reference List
Rhoades, J., & Murphy, P. (2015). Clinical Consult to Psychiatric Nursing for Advanced Practice. New York, NY. Springer Publishing.
Shestokas, D. (2012). Mental Health Professionals Involved in Florida’s Baker Act. Web.