The K-Factor: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Nursing and the Evolving Role of the Nurse in Ketamine Therapy
International Journal of Nursing and Health Care Research December 26, 2025 Keith Jenkins
The article proposes a paradigm shift in psychiatric nursing with the introduction of the 'K-Factor,' a concept that redefines the nurse's role in ketamine therapy for treatment of major depression. It argues that as ketamine becomes more common in mental health care, nurses must move beyond traditional monitoring to take on expanded responsibilities in assessment, therapeutic support, and integration of treatment. The piece emphasizes the need for specialized training and a new nursing framework to ensure safe, effective, and patient-centered care in this evolving field.