# data[].attributes.body
Being curious about the nursing profession will help you to understand more of the situation, ask questions and investigate into the care to find the difference in the known and unknown. Being committed to what you believe in making sure your actions follow, and having the competence in your skills. In conclusion, corresponding in paying attention to meaning and concerns to the patient in order to advocate for them. In embracing and following the 5 C's can create a basis for the nursing profession and create the basis for meaningful actions.

# data[].attributes.body
Nurses are at the bedside and provide meaningful interactions with patients. They are there through difficult times, reassure patients through this transition, provide empathy and compassion as well as provide support and education. Nurses are resilient through the emotional and physical challenges of the profession, establish their presence and support to patients and provide mental strength when they undergo stress and mentally challenging situations.

# data[].attributes.body
Utilizing a Hermeneutic lens can allow us to get a deeper understanding of how experiences shape our perceptions and how this can impact our lives through relational practice such as intrapersonal, interpersonal and contextual contexts (Sims, 2024). Furthermore, developing this understanding of these forces can allow us to question assumptions that have been embedded into our knowledge and change these assumptions to eliminate barriers to care (Sims, 2024). This deeper understanding also allows us to create empathy, and relate to the patient during care. During my journey, I have come into contact with a variety of students who have come from different degrees, we all have different experiences but have come to the same place. I think it is important to recognize everyone's journey and create an understanding of what they have gone through to appreciate where they are today.

# data[].attributes.body
Family is there for you no matter what and will support you through the difficult times. Family-centred care (FCC) ensures that the family has a voice and takes part in care to be an active member in the recovery (Sims, 2024). Family understands your preferences and knows your history which can also be beneficial in ensuring you have an advocate for your care. In clinical, I saw the importance of family taking care in the adolescent routines in mental health placement as well as the support in maternal child placement when welcoming a new addition to the family or struggles with newborn health. In my journey through nursing, I have recognized how important family is to someone's support system as well as how important family is to me and the support it provides. This has created and outlined the essential aspect of family in my life as well as supports you so you are not alone.

# data[].attributes.body
The complexity of mental health nursing - challenging assumptions through reflection. This painting reflects many critical complex aspects of mental health nursing such as the different textures reflecting diverse experiences, reflective butterflies that outline the importance of self-reflection, and words of recovery shades of black to blue to show the progression of recovery. I also included a black-and-white brain because the literature is black and white but also the flowers show blooming through recovery and how recovery might be different among people. During my last degree in Brain Disorders, I realized the complexity of mental health and how it can impact several different aspects of someone's life. In clinical, I saw how different mental health illnesses, and experiences are at a complex interplay.

# data[].attributes.headline
Not so black and white - diverse experiences 

# data[].attributes.subject
Not so black and white - diverse experiences 

# data[].attributes.body
Neuronal activity of the amygdala (regulates emotions and fears) - increases scientific study of how neuronal pathways are created. I wanted to create this addition to outline how experiences and the different aspects we come into contact with in our environment, create a unique pathway and how these might impact one's development or experiences. In conclusion, we might all end up in the same area but all our pathways are different. I feel like through my nursing journey my experiences have helped my progress and have added to my knowledge. My experiences have created moments that I will remember and have added to my nursing journey. I have also seen some barriers people have when trying to get mental health care and how it is important to advocate when you see these barriers that might impact someone's experience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
USC Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute

# data[].attributes.body
"Real family does not come from your blood. It is the people standing beside you when no one else is" - Nishan Panwar

Family does not have to be blood. Through my nursing journey reflects who is there when you need them. I have seen adoption, foster families, and other circumstances where the support person was not blood but what mattered was their ability to care for and support the patient through recovery.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this painting that was created by my sister to emphasize the support families give to people. Families are often the first to be caregivers or offer comfort to their family members. There is a bond that trust has been created that further creates a backbone of support for life experiences, struggles, or health complications. This painting in particular was created to demonstrate how the structure of the spine holds someone upright after stressors are placed on the spine and how it maintains its function. I saw in mental health as well in maternal child placement how the family takes over aspects of one's life to reduce the load and help support you if there are struggles to overcome.

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Moen, Ø. L., Aass, L. K., Schröder, A., & Skundberg‐Kletthagen, H. (2021). Young adults suffering from mental illness: Evaluation of the family‐centred support conversation intervention from the perspective of mental healthcare professionals. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(19–20), 2886–2896. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15795

# data[].attributes.body
This article highlights the importance of family support and integration into adolescent mental health care. In addition, the ability of the family to help support their child in everyday activities, promoting safety and trust through honesty and integration into patient care (Moen et al., 2021). This article also highlights that family does not have to be blood and whoever it may be the benefits of supporting the adolescent and can promote their recovery through challenges (Moen et al., 2021). In clinical, I saw the importance of family integration and ensuring the family can provide a healing environment for them as well as how they can help them towards recovery.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Givrad, S., Hartzell, G., & Scala, M. (2021). Promoting infant mental health in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A review of nurturing factors and interventions for NICU infant-parent relationships. Early Human Development, 154, 105281–105281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105281

# data[].attributes.body
In this article, it highlights the importance of family integration in the NICU and its benefits during the sensitive development period of the newborn. During this period of development, parents might have some fears or uncertainty in the newborn's care, nurses are to provide education and teach new parents about their newborn's cues as well as how they can participate in their care to enhance parent-newborn bonding (Givrad et al., 2021). In clinical, I saw the importance of providing education, supporting and reassuring parental concerns as well as providing physical contact with the babies as this is often limited during in the NICU. In addition, the ability to care for your own child in the NICU I saw the benefits of mother and infant bonding.

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Younas, A. (2020). Relational inquiry approach for developing deeper awareness of patient suffering. Nursing Ethics, 27(4), 935–945. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020912523

# data[].attributes.body
This article outlines the importance of understanding how thoughts, perceptions and prior experiences are shaped and how this unique experience might differ across patients (Younas, 2020). Understanding through relational inquiry and the HP lens can help us dive under the complex layers of a patient's experience as well as how to eliminate some potential barriers that they might have come across (Younas, 2020). I have learned through clinical how important it is to understand people's experiences and how they have added to where they are today. I learned also during mental health placement how their experiences might have been a factor in the development of their mental health illness.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this video as it goes through all the different aspects of the day where the nurse's hands are used in care. Each touch, pouring of the bath and touching the patient's back shows all the support and care a nurse provides. This outlines the importance of nurses' care and appreciation for their dedication and time given to patients. We sometimes forget our actions in a day but reflect on how each touch makes a difference in someone's recovery.

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These are the hands #NursesDay2020 | Royal College of Nursing

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this artifact to represent how one action you make in clinical or practice can have a big effect on someone's life and recovery. In addition, through advocacy, one action to speak for your patient can greatly impact their ability to receive care and make a difference for future patients who might encounter the same barrier. In conclusion, I want to thank all the nurses who have made a huge contribution to our knowledge through clinical and how it has greatly impacted my nursing journey. All the actions of nurses even if it is just minimal can make a huge impact on patient care.

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Cooper, A. L., Brown, J. A., & Leslie, G. D. (2021). Nurse resilience for clinical practice: An integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(6), 2623–2640. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14763

# data[].attributes.body
This article summarizes how resilience is how nurses can bounce back in the face of stress and how this resilience can be supported in the profession (Cooper et al., 2021). It outlines the importance of self-care, a supportive work environment, optimism, and effective coping strategies that can help nurses cope effectively in stressful situations (Cooper et al., 2021). This demonstrates how self-care and support can help nurses overcome stressful situations through practice. I have learned different self-care methods I have incorporated into my life to learn to deal with stressors that I have come across. I also learned about how important to have the ability to decompress when you encounter emotional experiences. During clinical some of the patients that I spoke to opened up about their trauma which I was very empathetic towards them but understanding how to cope with these situations as helped me thrive.

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Marzilli, C. (2021). A year later: Life after the Year of the Nurse. Belitung Nursing Journal, 7(2), 59–61. https://doi.org/10.33546/BNJ.1509

# data[].attributes.body
This article highlights the struggles and challenges nurses face on the front lines during the pandemic. During the pandemic, it highlights how nurses were able to have the resilience and strength to work with little resources during this time (Marzilli, 2021). It also discusses how nurses have overcome challenges in the past and how there are some barriers still to face nurses are resilient and will overcome these challenges (Marzilli, 2021). Furthermore, it outlined the progression in the nursing profession particularly the autonomy of the nurses and changes in healthcare policies (Marzilli, 2021).

I have had the opportunity to reflect on where I have come from but also how nursing has changed after the pandemic. I am so thankful for all nurses do as well and I have to acknowledge how I have changed and grown since I started this program.

# data[].attributes.body
Cooper, A. L., Brown, J. A., & Leslie, G. D. (2021). Nurse resilience for clinical practice: An integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(6), 2623–2640. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14763

Marzilli, C. (2021). A year later: Life after the Year of the Nurse. Belitung Nursing Journal, 7(2), 59–61. https://doi.org/10.33546/BNJ.1509

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In acknowledging that our words have power as seen in the post-structural lens as well as changing education in maternal child education that "fed is best" the appropriateness of language will reflect the receptivity of the education from the patients. During my clinical placement as well as mental health I have seen stigma along with the knowledge that created barriers for patients and how the language adds to the trust in the relationship you have created. Through my nursing experience, I have acknowledged how language has a huge impact through courses as well as the importance of self-reflecting on your actions and the words you use. I also have learned how you go into the situation and the attitude you have creates the basis of the relationship and encounters you have formed with the patient.

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I chose this picture to represent how the 5 C's in the ontological capacity is the foundation for nursing. As you increase curiosity you gain knowledge and build walls, as you have compassion in your actions you provide insulation and security, as you add hours you add commitment, your competence reflects the skills you use or the company you call in when you are not certified. And corresponding is being in line with your values, beliefs and how the house will look like to support what you need.

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" We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're CURIOUS and CURIOSITY keeps leading us down new paths. - Walt Disney

I chose this quote because as I have started my nursing journey I have realized the importance of questioning assumptions, asking questions, and gaining new knowledge.

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Hemberg, J., & Wiklund Gustin, L. (2020). Caring from the heart as belonging—The basis for mediating compassion. Nursing Open, 7(2), 660–668. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.438

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This article outlines the virtue of compassion in nursing, the deep connection and trust that is developed between patient and nurse creates a bond (Hemberg & Wiklund, 2020). Through this connection the nurse displays compassion, being emotionally present and engaged in their experience and how this is created through establishing a connection (Hemberg & Wiklund, 2020). The emotional bonds create commitment, empathy and compassion, recognizing needs and support through this deep connection. In conclusion, the ability to provide this connection with a patient allows them to feel safe, valued, and supported when the nurse demonstrates compassion, active listening to concerns and reassuring fears. I chose to go into nursing because I am very compassionate and caring and have a desire to take care of people and be a part of their recovery. Learning how to utilize relational inquiry and in my clinical experience when I have used active listening and acknowledged their fears have created a relationship where the patient felt open to share their experiences or fears they have had.

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Jenkins, K., Kinsella, E. A., & DeLuca, S. (2021). Being and becoming a nurse: Toward an ontological and reflexive turn in first‐year nursing education. Nursing Inquiry, 28(4), e12420-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12420

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This article highlights the shift from epistemology (the art of knowledge) to the progression of ontology which highlights how experience shapes the meaning of the world to us (Jenkins et al., 2021). Furthermore, through reflective practice in care can outline and display through different lenses the uniqueness of one person (Jenkins et al., 2021). In addition through ontological capacity, it allows nursing students to build a foundation of understanding of one's beliefs and values and understanding others (Jenkins et al., 2021). When I started my nursing journey one of the foundations I learned was the ability to reflect on your actions, and assumptions you have as well as the ability to understand someone's beliefs and values can contribute to personalized care. One of my important values is compassion and the ability to acknowledge a patient's beliefs can create a huge difference in their care. I have self-reflected a lot during this experience and I have learned a lot about myself as well as grown tremendously.

# data[].attributes.body
Hemberg, J., & Wiklund Gustin, L. (2020). Caring from the heart as belonging—The basis for mediating compassion. Nursing Open, 7(2), 660–668. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.438

Jenkins, K., Kinsella, E. A., & DeLuca, S. (2021). Being and becoming a nurse: Toward an ontological and reflexive turn in first‐year nursing education. Nursing Inquiry, 28(4), e12420-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12420

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The phrase "fed is best" has changed from breast is best to support mothers who might choose other feeding options if it is not possible to breastfeed. This creates inclusivity and supports mothers who might be ashamed of not being able to feed. In clinical, they emphasized how when they ask how the baby is fed they ask "how are you feeding baby" instead of making the assumption that breastfeeding might create shame for the mother.

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"Words have magical power. They can either bring the greatest happiness or the deepest despair." - Sigmund Freud

Words can have power, they can create potential barriers or can hurt but they also can make opportunities, heal and support patients. Being reflective and mindful of the words you use can support patient treatment and a trustful relationship, it is important to advocate for people's voices that are not heard and to be the voice of change. I am very big on advocating for people and what they need, before my nursing career I worked with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities in where I saw how words and the way people interact with the children and how it affects their abilities. In coming into nursing after this experience, I tend to acknowledge and pay special attention to the barriers some people face.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Barta, K. R. (2022). Ethical considerations for hospital-based infant feeding support. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 51(3), 243–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2022.03.001

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This article highlights the importance of respecting parents' decisions, ethical considerations, feeding styles and possible cultural aspects that might impact how the baby is fed (Barta, 2022). In addition, the decision that is made by the parents might be because of physical inability to breastfeed, cultural aspects or a preference and how this should be honoured and taken into account for education purposes and supporting the parent's right to make the decision (Barta, 2022). This has created more knowledge and created the ability to question when you are not sure about a culture and ask how you can support the person through their journey.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Nathan, R., & Lewis, E. (2021). Assessment of coexisting psychosis and substance misuse: complexities, challenges and causality. BJPsych Advances, 27(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2020.45

# data[].attributes.body
This article outlines how there can be so many factors that interplay and are related to the complexity and mental health illnesses. This article specifically discusses the complex interplay between mental health illness and substance issues how each factor might have an impact on the display of symptoms and how this relationship needs to be understood to properly support the patients (Nathan & Lewis, 2021). I have learned through clinical and during the start of my nursing journey that some situations are not what they seem and you might have to understand what is going on underneath to understand how you can help.

# data[].attributes.wish_content.attachment_props.alternative_text
Nathan, R., & Lewis, E. (2021). Assessment of coexisting psychosis and substance misuse: complexities, challenges and causality. BJPsych Advances, 27(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2020.45

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Assessment of coexisting psychosis and substance misuse: complexities, challenges and causality | BJPsych Advances | Cambridge Core

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Assessment of coexisting psychosis and substance misuse: complexities, challenges and causality - Volume 27 Issue 1

# data[].attributes.body
Givrad, S., Hartzell, G., & Scala, M. (2021). Promoting infant mental health in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): A review of nurturing factors and interventions for NICU infant-parent relationships. Early Human Development, 154, 105281–105281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2020.105281

Sims, J. (2024) How do you pay attention? Part B- The Critical Lens [Powerpoint]

Moen, Ø. L., Aass, L. K., Schröder, A., & Skundberg‐Kletthagen, H. (2021). Young adults suffering from mental illness: Evaluation of the family‐centred support conversation intervention from the perspective of mental healthcare professionals. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(19–20), 2886–2896. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15795

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Salem, B. E., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M. L., Hall, E., Turner, S. F., Faucette, M., & Slaughter, R. (2021). Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced By Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women During Reentry—A Qualitative Study. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(4), 609–621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00748-8

# data[].attributes.body
This article demonstrates how language through a post-structural lens can dismantle or break down barriers for those who are trying to receive care (Salem et al., 2021). It discusses the power of being able to make a change with words and help eliminate barriers to mental health services (Salem et al., 2021). Some people's voices are not heard, I have seen this through my nursing career as well as my past education, it is important that while being mindful of the words you use, appreciate their experiences and speak up if their concerns are not being heard.

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Abstract

Formerly incarcerated, homeless women on parole or probation experience individual-and structural-level barriers and facilitators as they prepare to transition into the community during reentry. A qualitative study was undertaken using focus group methods with formerly incarcerated, currently homeless women (N = 18, M age  = 37.67, SD 10.68, 23-53 years of age) exiting jail or prison. Major themes which emerged included the following: (1) access to resources-barriers and facilitators during community transition, (2) familial reconciliation and parenting during community transition, and (3) trauma and self-care support during community transition. These findings suggest a need to develop multi-level interventions at the individual, program and institutional/societal level with a gender-sensitive lens for women who are transitioning to community reentry. It is hoped that providing such resources will reduce the likelihood of homelessness and reincarceration.

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Acknowledgements

I wish to acknowledge and thank Dr. Adey Nyamathi for her review and support of this manuscript. I would also like to thank the community-based partners and participants for their time and taking part in this process.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, Grant Number 5R34DA035409).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. University of California, Los Angeles, 700 Tiverton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

Benissa E. Salem & Jordan Kwon

2. Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, USA

Jordan Kwon

3. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, USA

Maria L. Ekstrand

4. University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

Elizabeth Hall

5. University of California, Irvine, Irvine, USA

Susan F. Turner

6. Department of Health Services, Housing for Health/Office of Diversion and Reentry, Los Angeles, USA

Mark Faucette

7. Amistad De Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA

Regina Slaughter

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benissa E. Salem.

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Salem, B.E., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M.L. et al. Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced By Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women During Reentry-A Qualitative Study. Community Ment Health J 57, 609-621 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00748-8
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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced By Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women During Reentry-A Qualitative Study - Community Mental Health Journal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Formerly incarcerated, homeless women on parole or probation experience individual-and structural-level barriers and facilitators as they prepare to transition into the community during reentry. A qualitative study was undertaken using focus group methods with formerly incarcerated, currently homeless women (N = 18, Mage = 37.67, SD 10.68, 23-53 years of age) exiting jail or prison.

# data[].attributes.body
Barta, K. R. (2022). Ethical considerations for hospital-based infant feeding support. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 51(3), 243–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2022.03.001

Salem, B. E., Kwon, J., Ekstrand, M. L., Hall, E., Turner, S. F., Faucette, M., & Slaughter, R. (2021). Transitioning into the Community: Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators Experienced By Formerly Incarcerated, Homeless Women During Reentry—A Qualitative Study. Community Mental Health Journal, 57(4), 609–621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-020-00748-8

# data[].attributes.body
This is an audio clip of how the importance of family has translated to my nursing journey. I have also included some important points under the articles above so it creates accessibility for everyone.

# data[].attributes.body
Nathan, R., & Lewis, E. (2021). Assessment of coexisting psychosis and substance misuse: complexities, challenges and causality. BJPsych Advances, 27(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2020.45

Sims, J. (2024) How do you pay attention? Part A- HP Lens [Powerpoint]

Younas, A. (2020). Relational inquiry approach for developing deeper awareness of patient suffering. Nursing Ethics, 27(4), 935–945. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733020912523