A Psychiatric Nurse's Perspective: Helping Patients Undergo Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for...

With the October 2008 Food and Drug Administration approval of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for depression treatment, the establishment and administration of rTMS clinical treatment programs are critically important and emerging areas for psychiatric nursing leadership. There is growing recognition that many patients are unable to tolerate antidepressant medications and require alternative antidepressant treatment approaches. The enormous growth in the field of brain stimulation creates exciting new therapeutic options for patients with treatment-resistant depression. As with any clinical breakthrough, new treatments offer exciting possibilities but also require growth in psychiatric nursing knowledge, different practice competencies, and new ways of organizing care. This article discusses current practice guidelines, psychiatric nursing qualifications, and essential details about developing an rTMS clinical service. This is the first article to describe the role of a psychiatric nurse establishing a clinical rTMS service, administering rTMS, and helping patients undergo the treatment. The authors share the progress made and the lessons learned.