This eye-opening global experience influenced my professional and personal goals. While I was in the United Kingdom, I had to opportunity to investigate a research topic and hear from many nursing professionals about their different duties. This inspired me to think about how I can enact change in healthcare in the US. In addition, I experienced a new culture by going to local pubs, visiting museums, and exploring cities.
During our very first meeting of the Plus3 UK class, we split up into groups that we would be working with throughout the trip. Initially, my group wanted to focus on the differences in the governments between our two countries and how that effects healthcare. We quickly realized that our topic was too broad and decided to narrow our focus on mental health services. Part of this inspiration came from seeing mental health clinics and other public health initiatives while walking around Birmingham, UK (shown below).
I thought to myself, “Wow! I wish mental health was talked about like this in the US.” I then realized, I can spread information in my community about how to access mental health. I also know now that I can have a higher effect on the accessibility of mental health services through public policy. If I decide to take my career in that direction, the policies I would fight for would be requiring a school psychologist in every public school, mandating mental health screenings at annual physicals, and creating a national license for mental health practitioners so that they can practice across state lines. If I could choose one policy to fight for the most, it would be national licensure. When I heard that nurses in the UK can practice anywhere within the country, I was shocked because the US is so restrictive about working across state lines. I truly believe that if healthcare providers can practice telehealth across the entire country, then access to mental health services in the US will improve.
Through the completion of our mini research project and speaking with many nursing professionals in the UK, my professional goals have changed. I feel a strong connection to mental health services because I believe everyone deserves to feel heard. However, I am still keeping my mind open to other professions such as a school nurse or a professor. Over the next few year of nursing school, I will experience many difference roles which will help me narrow down my passion.
