NURS2295

Mental Health Nursing Therapeutics

Faculty of Health School of Nursing and Midwifery

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Semester 1
On-Line from Callaghan	Semester 2
On-Line from Ourimbah Cmp	Semester 2
Ourimbah	Semester 1
Port Macquarie Nth Coast Inst	Semester 1, Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005

This course outlines nursing approaches to the assessment and collaborative management of people with mental health disorders and includes consumer perspectives. There is an introduction to evidence-based psychological, somatic and psychosocial interventions used in the management of mental illness and an overview of recent mental health policy developments in Australia. In addition, there is an exploration of the challenges to maintaining the mental health of Australians including: social dislocation, the scope of unmet need and the difficulties of service provision peculiar to metropolitan and rural areas. Mental illness is recognised as a major public health issue in Australia, however the growing need for mental health services in our communities means that only a minority of cases can be managed by specialist services. For this reason it is important that all registered nurses are able to understand and help consumers with mental illness in any health care setting.

This course is a Compulsory Program Component and students must pass in order to progress in the Bachelor of Nursing program

Objectives

Students will be able to:
1. Describe the scope of mental health problems and disorders in Australia;
2. Outline the main priorities in current mental health policies;
3. Discuss consumer perspectives on mental illness, recovery, and their relationships with health services;
4. Conduct a comprehensive mental health assessment;
5. Plan and implement nursing care for clients that reflects an understanding of the impact of health breakdown,
psychosocial dimensions of the illness experience and the impact on the family and significant others;
6. Describe and use evidence-based approaches for detecting and managing both commonly occurring and severe long-term
mental health disorders; and
7. Develop and demonstrate group work skills.

Content

This course is comprised of four modules:
Module 1: Introduction to NURS2295- Mental Health Nursing Therapeutics
Module 2: Nursing the person who has depressed mood and thoughts of suicide
Module 3: Nursing the person who has a diagnosis of schizophrenia
Module 4: Nursing the person who self-harms and feels 'unsafe'

Replacing Course(s)

NURS2150

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

Satisfactory completion of all 1000 level BN courses

Modes of Delivery

External Mode
Flexible Delivery / Student Centred Learning
Internal Mode

Teaching Methods

Clinical
Problem Based Learning
Lecture
Laboratory
Self Directed Learning
Tutorial

Assessment Items

Examination: Formal
Other: (please specify)	Clinical portfolio. Note: Satisfactory clinical performance and mastery of specified core skill (completion of a mental status examination) is essential to achieve a pass or higher grade in this course.
Case Scenario/PBL exercises	Problem-based learning activities

Contact Hours

Clinical: for 64 hour(s) per Term for Full Term
Laboratory: for 14 hour(s) per Term for Full Term
Lecture: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 7 weeks

Compulsory Components

Requisite by Enrolment	Bachelor of Nursing Prior successful completion of NURS1171, NURS1291 & NURS1292 National Police Check, Working with Children and Young People Declaration, Current NSW Health Immunization record, Patient Confidentiality Form
Compulsory Course Component	OHS-Criminal Record Check
Compulsory Course Component	OHS-Prohibited Employment Declaration
Compulsory Program Component	Satisfactory completion of NURS1171, NURS1291 and NURS1292 with a pass or higher grade. Immunisation record card that meets the NSW Department of Health Guidelines Signed confidentiality undertaking

Timetables