Tasha Jackson
Registered Nurse, Adult Mental Health, FACT
What motivated you to become a mental health nurse?
I wish it were as simple as a desire to help and serve. My nursing instructor taught us mental health is everywhere, including the grocery store, and depending on a person’s emotional development, a nursing assessment can be affected greatly. This can lead to inaccurate diagnosis and prolonged treatment. It’s as complex as ER or ICU nursing. We have to assess whether our clients are having a medical versus psychiatry emergency quickly and accurately to have successful outcomes for our clients. Client teaching, effective listening and follow-up are huge motivations for me.
What do you find most rewarding about your work as a mental health nurse?
It’s like working a huge puzzle for me. With my team, we put the borders together and then we can create a beautiful picture.
Why did you choose FCS?
FCS is in every section of this city working to help the underserved. It’s wild not to want to be a part of this.
How do you see the field of mental health nursing evolving in the future?:
With a greater understanding of how vital our roles are to healthcare in general. We will no longer be seen as a blurb in a textbook.
