Serious mental illness in healthcare and academia: A lived experience.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: There are individuals living with serious mental illness in both healthcare and academia. The high stress nature of these fields can worsen or trigger mental illness, burnout, moral injury, and compassion fatigue in employees. Mental health nurses have the needed skillset to foster change in these settings. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This paper describes the holistic experiences of a nurse faculty member living with serious mental illness and highlights lessons learned in both healthcare and academic settings. In addition to insights from the experience, the paper also shares suggestions for moving forward, reducing burnout, and supporting employees in these fields. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: This lived experience narrative showcases the effect that high-pressure occupations have on individuals with serious mental illness. Mental health nurses have the training and experience to transform the experiences of employees in healthcare and academia. Through assessment, deep listening, and powerful questioning, these nurses in partnership with the employees themselves can design and implement interventions that have a lasting impact for these populations. ABSTRACT: Introduction First-hand accounts from clients living with mental health challenges deepen provider understanding and offer direct insight into the lives of those with chronic mental illness. There is a gap in the literature surrounding the lived experience of serious mental illness in the professional setting. Aim This narrative outlines the challenges and opportunities for those living with serious mental illness in healthcare and academia. Methods The author reviewed personal journals and reflected upon her years as both a nurse and faculty member to highlight the experience of living with serious mental illness in these professions. Findings These high-pressure fields place inordinate demands on faculty and staff; yet, there are few organizational supports in place for employees. Despite the push to improve resiliency and ease burnout, healthcare organizations and academic institutions still struggle to identify the best interventions and methods of support for staff. Discussion Mental health nurses and nurse coaches are uniquely positioned to ease this burden and help create inclusive workplaces for those with serious mental illness.

Surgical and Medical Treatment of Pyloric and Duodenal Pythiosis in a Dog.

A 5 yr old, male, neutered mixed-breed dog was referred for persistent vomiting 2 wk following a pyloric biopsy for a pyloric outflow obstruction. Histopathology at the time of initial surgery was suggestive of pythiosis. Following referral, the dog underwent radical surgical treatment with a Billroth II procedure, partial pancreatectomy, and cholecystoduodenostomy. Histopathology and serology confirmed the diagnosis of pythiosis and medical treatment consisting of itraconazole and terbinafine was started postoperatively. Serology titers were checked again at 8, 12, and 24 wk postoperatively revealing a positive response to treatment and no reoccurrence of pythiosis. Since surgery, the patient experienced waxing and waning elevations of liver values and laparoscopic liver biopsies 10 mo postoperatively revealed hepatic cirrhosis with fibrosis, bile duct hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation. This report documents successful treatment of pyloric/duodenal pythiosis and the long-term (17 mo) consequences associated with the Billroth II, partial pancreatectomy, and biliary rerouting in the dog.