Dear Queen's Supporter,

When I see a problem, my first thought is about how to improve the situation. Most nurses tend to think this way – it's one of the things that make us so good at our jobs.

So when I noticed the large number of patients who use psychiatric emergency services on a frequent basis, regardless of their personally tailored aftercare plans, I started wondering what wasn't working in the mental health care continuum and how I could help.

As a nursing PhD student at Queen's, and thanks to generous gifts from alumni like you, I have the opportunity to identify the causes of discontinuity of care, and to proactively address them.

Following my passions to discover the path to greatest impact

Since my days as a nursing undergraduate student here at Queen's, I have been interested in mental health care. When I started my career as a nurse, I realized that I also enjoy the hustle and bustle of working in the emergency department.

I found the perfect fit when I began working in psychiatric emergency services four years ago. While all nurses play a vital role in their patients' care, for me, this position is where I can do the most good and make the greatest impact.

I not only provide essential nursing care, I am also the facilitator between patients, their families, healthcare professionals, police officers, and community services during moments of crisis – I help people find wellness physically, mentally, and within the community.

Meeting patients' needs and filling the knowledge gap

The problem of revolving door patients, so evident in my practice, led me to research literature. Unfortunately, when I searched to learn more about continuity of care in mental illness, I noticed the lack of foundational knowledge on the topic.

In returning to Queen's for my PhD, I will assess the theoretical, empirical and experiential nature of continuity for patients most at risk of fragmented care. My findings will help strengthen the existing literature base and begin to fill the knowledge gap.

I am currently working on the first of three phases – detailing the characteristics of patients at high risk for discontinuity and outlining the frameworks currently in place to address their unique needs.

Once all three phases are complete, I will have conducted a thorough analysis of the current system to provide a comprehensive review of continuity of care for people with mental illness – a "one stop shop" for nurses and other professionals seeking information.

With improved continuity, people with mental illness are more likely to achieve overall wellness. And, with more appropriate use of the emergency room and less burden on the system, all health care consumers may benefit.

Made possible through your gifts

Queen's School of Nursing teaches future nurses to be professional, efficient, caring, sensitive and thorough in the care of their patients. It also prepares students to shape the way nursing is practiced – to find the weaknesses in the system and develop ways to help patients falling through the cracks.

Not only am I learning how to care for patients with and without psychiatric crisis, I am also trying to make an impact on the future of mental health services.

As alumni, your gifts are critical to ensuring Queen's students like me continue to enjoy top quality learning and that the application of our skills and knowledge continues to improve the lives of our patients.

We can't do it without you. Please, add your support with a gift to the Nursing Initiatives Fund today.

Yours in thanks,
Amanda Digel Vandyk,  BNSC (Nursing)'06, MSC (Nursing)'09
PhD Candidate

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