Nursing - NURS 246

Course Description

This course emphasizes application of the nursing process and critical thinking skills while utilizing evidence-based principles of nursing in caring for adult, child and adolescent clients with mental illness within the registered nurse scope of practice. Theoretical content focuses on clients experiencing mental health alterations. Clinical experiences are provided in acute, chronic and community mental health care facilities utilizing an interdisciplinary collaborative approach.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain characteristics of mental health and mental illness and their relationship to the health-illness continuum.
• Differentiate between the concepts and principles of psychoanalytic, behaviorist, biologic, interpersonal and cognitive theories related to psychiatric disorders.
• Explain the nurse-client relationship including components, boundaries and responsibilities.
• Discuss the nurse's role in developing therapeutic relationships utilizing therapeutic communication techniques.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with anxiety disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with mood disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with psychiatric disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with personality disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with eating disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with sleep disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with cognitive disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients experiencing acts of violence and trauma, including human trafficking.
• Apply the nursing process to clients experiencing somatic symptom disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients with substance related and addictive disorders.
• Apply the nursing process to clients at risk for suicide and non-suicidal injury.
• Apply the nursing process to child and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Demonstrate designated clinical competencies.
• Demonstrate proficiency on select standardized computer assessments.
• Demonstrate proficiency with medication dosages and calculations.

Course Schedule