By Joan Tupponce

It’s no coincidence that Jagpal “Jag” Chahal is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. He’s navigating a familiar – and familial – path.

“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse because my brother, Gurpal, who is two years older, is also a nurse,” Chalal said. “I am following in his footsteps and in the footsteps of other nurses in my family.”

Chahal, who hails from Vancouver, Canada, will earn his master’s degree this spring from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing. Before focusing on mental health, Chahal worked as an emergency room nurse for five years after nursing school. He did addiction assessment nursing during his final year in the ER, as his brother was studying to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, also known as a PMHNP.

“I talked to him [about the field] and found it very interesting,” said Chahal, whose master’s concentration is in the PMHNP discipline. He describes his work in mental health as unique among medical specialties.

“It’s fascinating how the mind works, and how mental health [issues] can be so pervasive,” he said.

“Patients feel unseen. It’s interesting to talk with them to see what’s going on and try to help them.”

Chahal discovered VCU when searching for schools with a PMHNP program.

“It had really good clinical opportunities, and it seemed like a very supportive environment,” he said. “It also helps with clinical placement.”

As part of his clinical experience through the master’s program, Chahal worked in inpatient psychiatry at VCU Health and in outpatient psychiatry at the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority.

“My clinical preceptors have been very helpful,” he said. “I feel like I learned the most in my clinicals.”

Jeanne Pryor, psychiatric nurse practitioner at the RBHA, cited Chahal’s compassion toward patients as his greatest strength. 

“Jag is very thoughtful and thinks outside the box when it comes to psychiatric nursing and vulnerable populations,” she said. “His clinical skills are outstanding, as evidenced by positive patient encounters, quality treatment plans and patient outcomes.”

Chahal would work with patients to develop a collaborative treatment plan, a skill Pryor appreciated.

“Jag greatly helped me gain new perspectives and sharpen my teaching and clinical skills,” she said.

Chahal is currently working at Mechanicsville-based Old Towne Counseling Services with psychiatric nurse practitioner Diana Boutté, who sees the soon-to-be graduate as an invaluable asset to the team.

“He excels not only in diagnosing mental illnesses but also in considering the holistic needs of his patients, encompassing their mental, emotional and social well-being,” she said.

Boutté describes Chahal as an excellent critical thinker with strong problem-solving skills, which are “crucial for making well-informed decisions in patient care,” she said.

Chahal is happy with his decision to become a PMHNP because the work is extremely gratifying.

“I don’t think there is any better job in the world than to see somebody improve psychologically,” he said. “I am really happy I am getting the opportunity to help people in such a rewarding way.”