ROME. N.Y. — Rome Memorial Hospital announced it has named Janine M. Little nurse manager of its Senior Behavioral Health Unit (SBHU).
The hospital’s SBHU cares for adults age 55 and older who are suffering from acute symptoms associated with a major mental-health illness, such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, or bi-polar illness.
Little brings more than 15 years of experience in psychiatric nursing to her new position, including several years working in the SBHU.
“Her focus on geriatric and psychiatric patient support includes assessment and counseling, education regarding medications and treatment, documentation with a care plan for diagnosis and administration of treatment procedures,” Rome Hospital said in a release.
In addition to her psychiatric-nursing responsibilities, as nurse manager Little will be responsible for facilitation of services between patients and staff to ensure optimal care.
Little graduated from Hartwick College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
According to Little, one of the challenges of working in psychiatric nursing is the stigma involved with mental-health issues.
“Society has long shunned those who have mental health issues, so much so that even mentioning something as innocuous as seeing a mental health professional sometimes elicits a negative response,” Little said in the release. “Being able to deal with mental health issues first involves being able to discuss the problem with others. That’s why it is so important to me to make sure the patients that reach out for help, get the help they need …”
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