NURS 293
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Qualifying Theory
3.0 Credits
Description
This course is part of the Transition to Canadian Nursing Series, which is designed to meet the educational needs of internationally educated nurses making a transition to nursing practice in BC. The series helps nurses from other countries enter the Canadian health-care system with confidence and validated competence.
Psychiatric/mental health nursing is a core component of Canadian nursing education and practice. This course examines psychiatric/mental health nursing practice in inpatient hospital units, outpatient day programs, and the community.
NURS 293 is an introduction to the assessment and treatment of patients with mental health challenges. The goal of the course is to develop sound knowledge and skills related to psychiatric nursing. Mental health is explored on a continuum from health to illness, from adaptability to maladaptability. An introduction to pharmacology is included in the course. Diagnoses and interventions are studied from medical, nursing, and psychosocial perspectives. The importance of the nurse-patient relationship is identified as an essential component of all interactions with mental health clients. Communication theory assists in development of the special therapeutic communication skills required in this field of nursing. Critical-thinking exercises throughout the course enhance self-awareness of the values and beliefs related to caring for patients with mental health challenges.
Delivery Method
This course is delivered over the web.
Prerequisites
To take this course, you need to be a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Nurse in your home country. You also need to be eligible for licensure with the RNABC. We recommend that you study NURS 352 Nursing in Canada in the Transition to Canadian Nursing Series to become familiar with Canadian nursing standards and practice before taking this course. If English is a second language, you need to meet the RNABC language requirement before enrolling in this course. NURS 298 IELTS Preparation in the Transition to Canadian Nursing Series is designed to help students meet the language level. Within six months of completing NURS 293, you should take the clinical counterpart for the theory course, NURS 294 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Qualifying Clinical.
Objectives
As you prepare to become a Registered Nurse in Canada, it is important to:
- Have a general understanding of patient rights and the standards of practice in the care of mental health clients under the Canadian health-care system.
- Understand 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 patient care.
- Understand 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.
- Understand 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 understand the importance of the nurse-patient relationship as the core component in the professional helping relationship.
- Approach problems using critical thinking and the nursing decision-making process.
Course Outline
NURS 293 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Qualifying Theory
- 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
Maximum Completion
30 weeks: Is the maximum allotted time for this course but it is designed to be completed in 16 weeks.
Required Text and Materials
- Stuart, G. W. and M. T. Laraia. Principles and practice of psychiatric nursing. 7th ed.. USA: Mosby Inc, 2001.
Type: Text
- Balzer Riley, J. Communication in nursing. 4th ed.. USA: Mosby Inc, 2000.
Type: Text
- RNABC. Standards for nursing practice in British Columbia. Vancouver: RNABC, 2000.
Type: Text
- RNABC. Competencies required of a new graduate. Vancouver: RNABC, 2000.
Type: Text
Additional Requirements
To successfully work through this course, you should have fairly fast and accurate keyboarding, basic computer skills in word processing, email, and web browsing.
Please refer to "Course Delivery Formats" on the BCOU Website, or the BCOU Course Calendar for computer requirements.
Tutor Information
A tutor is available to help you as you work through the course. Communication with your tutor is by email through WebCT.
Assessment
In order to be eligible for credit in this course, you must achieve a passing grade of 70% on each assignment, participate in the discussions, and achieve a passing grade of 70% on the final exam.
Marks for the course are apportioned as follows:
| Seven assignments (6% x 7) |
42% |
| Discussion participation |
8% |
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