Mental Health Nursing

Subject NURS90056 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 6.25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2012.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 lectures/tutorials/seminars, 6 clinical laboratory sessions, 80 clinical practicum, TOTAL: 104 hours
Total Time Commitment:

Approximately 140 hours

Students are expected to devote approximately 5-6 hours a week to this subject and 40 hours per week for two weeks during clinical practicum.
Prerequisites:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Corequisites:

None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s courses. Students who think their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

Nursing
Melbourne School of Health Sciences
The University of Melbourne
Level 1, 200 Berkeley St
Carlton Victoria 3010 AUSTRALIA
T: +61 3 13 MELB
F: +61 3 8344 4188
E: nursing-enquiries@unimelb.edu.au
W: www.nursing.unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: This subject provides the opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge in the specialty practice area of mental health nursing. The subject will expand on the theoretical principles underpinning the practice of mental health nursing including: completing a psychiatric admission assessment; conducting a mental status examination; understanding the classification and diagnosis of the major mental disorders across the lifespan; conducting a psychiatric risk assessment. Students will become familiar with immediate interventions required to establish patient safety and a therapeutic environment; ongoing monitoring requirements; the underpinning biological basis of mental health and illness; and principles behind treatment, symptom management, and recovery from mental illness. Interventions initiated by nurses at a beginning level of specialty practice will be described in terms of the research evidence underpinning practice.
Objectives: Objectives to be achieved will be driven by the clinical context, but may include the following :
  • biological basis of mental health and illness; and principles behind treatment, symptom management, and recovery from mental illness;
  • completing a psychiatric admission assessment;
  • conducting a mental status examination;
  • understanding the classification and diagnosis of the major mental disorders across the lifespan;
  • conducting a psychiatric risk assessment and interventions required for patient safety;
  • therapeutic environment;
  • ongoing monitoring requirements;
  • consumer involvement in mental health service delivery.
Assessment:
  • 500 word plan for Learning Contract (20%) – due Week 11
  • 2,000 word Learning Contract & Reflection (80%) – due Week 15
Prescribed Texts: Specific readings and web-based resources selected by the subject coordinator will be made available to students through the Leaning Management System (LMS).
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: At the completion of these subjects, students should be able to demonstrate :
  • the capacity for information seeking, retrieval and evaluation;
  • critical thinking and analytical skills;
  • an openness to new ideas;
  • cultural sensitivity;
  • planning and time management skills;
  • the ability to work effectively in an interprofessional team;
  • the ability to communicate knowledge through classroom and web-based discussions and written material;
  • a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written modes of communication;
  • a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.
Notes: Specific readings and web-based resources selected by the subject coordinator will be made available to students through the Leaning Management System (LMS).
Related Course(s): Master of Nursing Science

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