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Unit of Study NURS2005 - Mental Health Nursing (2022)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    This unit contains professional experience learning/ laboratory activities that require students to meet mandatory compliance requirements prior to attending. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in you being unable to undertake the Professional Experience Learning and/or stipulated Laboratory Activity which may result in failure of the unit. Full details are available at https://www.scu.edu.au/health/health-placements/. Please note Full Covid-19 vaccination is a mandatory requirement associated with the placement element of this unit of study. This requirement has been stipulated by the placement providers. It is strongly recommended that only students who meet this requirement enrol in this unit.

Unit description

Extends student understanding of mental health concepts and care of clients with acute and long-term mental health and psychiatric problems. Students will be provided the opportunity to develop skills in assessment and intervention inclusive of advanced pharmacological, psychosocial and interpersonal knowledge, cultural sensitivity and capabilities.

Unit content

  • Historical developments in mental health, mental illness and mental health nursing
  • Trauma-informed care in mental health
  • Models of mental health and illness
  • Mental health legislation, ethics and human rights
  • Holistic assessment and therapeutic use of self
  • Talk-based psychosocial interventions and interpersonal counselling
  • Mood disorders: bipolar and depression
  • Psychotic disorders: assessment, planning and interventions
  • Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders
  • Pharmaco-therapeutics in the care and management of chronic and acute psychiatric disorders
  • Overview of the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders [DSM5]
  • Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit [IPCU]: high dependency care
  • Seclusion and restraint
  • Home and community-based care
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and healing concepts
  • Preparation for PEP5

As part of the unit, students will also be required to attend a two-week (80hr) Professional Experience Placement in a mental health setting.

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session2
Session2
Gold Coast
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

apply holistic values, attitudes and inter-personal capabilities to mental health specific contexts, including reflective practice and the therapeutic use of self

demonstrate effective person-centred care in mental health assessment and management of a person with a mental health or psychiatric condition

apply the principles of prevention, early intervention and recovery in the context of mental health care to people with a mental health problem

demonstrate the ability to sensitively engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Evans, K, Nizette, D, & O'Brien, A (eds), 2017, Psychiatric and mental health nursing, 4th edn, Elsevier, Chatswood. ISBN: 9780729542319.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.