HLTH 2931: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

• Identify that mental health, mental illness, and mental handicapping/cognitive disabilities and substance abuse and addictions are separate and yet similar health experiences that fall under the purview of psychiatric/mental health nursing
• Describe client rights and the standards of practice in the care of mental health clients under the Canadian health-care system
• Define the role of Registered Nurses in Canada and British Columbia in working with the mental health client in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings
• Identify members of the mental health multidisciplinary team and know the importance of the care team for overall client care
• Identify the importance of developing mental health nursing skills that are holistic and caring
• Be familiar with nursing practices for caring interventions that include nursing diagnoses, medication administration, and treatment modalities relevant to the field of psychiatry/mental health
• Describe psychosocial concepts of coping, adaptation, needs, and growth and development related to caring for the mental health client
• Gain awareness of the values, beliefs, and cultural perspectives of mental illness and addictions in developing a healthy foundation for working with this special population
• Develop basic therapeutic communication skills and describe the importance of the nurse-client relationship as the core component in the professional helping relationship
• Approach problems using critical thinking and the nursing decision-making process
• Articulate and demonstrate sound knowledge of pharmacology/psychopharmacology in relation to medication administration to distressed, anxious, or traumatized mental health clients as well as those with psychiatric disorders
• Effectively assess and intervene with clients diagnosed with mental illness/disorders, addictions, deviancy, and dementias
• Identify the purpose and goals of therapeutic interactions including group therapy, therapeutic milieu, and milieu therapy
• Be familiar with current issues, policies, and evidence-based practice related to safety for self and others when working with clients with mental/emotional health challenges and/or psychiatric disorders
• Demonstrate awareness of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, mental health acts, Workers' Compensation Board regulations, and hospital policies that relate to working in psychiatry/mental health nursing
• Develop an awareness of health promotion and community interventions/programs for the special populations discussed in this course
• Link general nursing theory and psychiatric/mental nursing theory effectively toward the provision of best quality care for clients
• Generalize concepts from this course to working with all clients faced with mental health/emotional challenges
• Identify the role of the BCCNM and the Health Professions Act of B.C. in the provision of safe, competent care for all clients
• Appreciate that psychiatric/mental health nursing is a specialty within nursing that may require on-going, continuing education post-baccalaureate for the provision of safe, competent care
• Identify the core competencies and skills necessary for the delivery of safe, competent and caring psychiatric/mental health nursing care

Module 1: Introduction to Mental Health

Module 2: Adaptation and Coping

Module 3: Mood Disorders

Module 4: Schizophrenia

Module 5: Organic Mental Disorders and Acquired Mental Disorders

Module 6: Mental Health Special Populations

Module 7: Treatment Overview: Inpatient, Outpatient, and Community Health

Students will need to source the following on their own:

1. Kneisl, C. R., & Trigoboff, E. Contemporary Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2013.
   Type: Textbook, ISBN: 0-13-255777-0

Note: Textbook may be bundled with DSM-5 Transition Guide. Textbook Bundle ISBN: 978-0-13-358160-7

Students will need to familiarize themselves with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) professional and practice standards, competencies, and scope of practice. These resources are available in PDF format on the BCCNM website and will be referred to throughout the course:

• BCCNM Professional Standards
• BCCNM Practice Standards for RNs and Nurse Practitioners, College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C.
• BCCNM (2018) Scope of Practice for Registered Nurses. Standards, Limits, Conditions, College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia: Vancouver, B.C.

To successfully complete this course, students must acheieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

All assignments must be completed, graded, and receive a passing grade in order for students to be successful in this course. Students applying this course toward a program in the School of Nursing must obtain 60% (C+) or better on the final mandatory exam and in the course overall, and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.33 (65%) in the program.

An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.