NS5310:03
Mental Health Nursing Practice 1 – Foundations
Townsville
40 contact hours, 105 hours clinical placement. Block mode. First semester.
Available to students who have registration as a nurse; preferably with Bachelor’s preparation in nursing or a related discipline.
The subject of foundation issues will assist students to develop awareness of treatment modalities, social influences and interpersonal skills which impact on the delivery of mental health care. It will be the foundation of skills needed in clinical practice such as awareness of one’s effect on others, becoming self-aware and reflective in practice. Skills which enhance communication and build a therapeutic relationship will be reinforced throughout the course. Modules include: neurophysiological basis of symptoms and treatment: interpersonal communication and self exploration, liaison with the interdisciplinary team, continuum of health/illness and integration of services, transcultural issues, incorporation of research into practice, conceptual and theoretical models and treatment modalities.
Learning Objectives:
- develop a high level of self-awareness through reflective practice to promote maintenance of one’s own emotional and mental health;
- develop the ability to use critical thinking in clinical decision making and planning of care;
- promote health and wellness to individuals, families and communities through advocacy and education;
- foster a collaborative relationship between clients, families and health care providers to ensure consumers’ participation in planning and evaluation of mental health services and be aware of factors affecting substance use/abuse across the age span and the continuum of health-illness;
- examine the range of theories pertinent to the development of mental illness and the range of counselling and treatment modalities currently used;
- identify cultural perspectives within the integrated mental health services and integrate cultural differences in assessing and planning care;
- identify problems unique to rural and remote areas in treatment and access;
- discuss universality of mental illness problems and origins and develop global awareness of societal concerns.
Assessment by written assignment and class presentations.
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