Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

10993 and 10994

Course Coordinator: Janice A. Buttler, Associate Professor

Susan K. Williams, Instructor

Fall 2004

Syllabus revised August 2004

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

I. Basic Course Information

A. Course Number and Title: NURS 122 - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

B. Date of Revision: FALL 2004

C. Sponsoring Department: Health Science Education

D. Semester Credit Hours: 4

E. Weekly Contact Hours: 4

F. Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, English I and II, Introduction to Psychology, Nursing of Adults I or Nursing Transition

Co requisites: Principles of Microbiology, Introduction to Sociology, Humanities elective

G. Laboratory Fees No

II. Catalog Description:

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing is one of two 7 ½ week module courses taught in the third semester of the four semester nursing clinical courses. Students are expected to show evidence of retention of previous learning, carrying out increasingly skillful assessment and interventions with clients with complex needs, through an inter-dependent relationship with clinical faculty and staff. It is designed to introduce students to basic concepts of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. The course is based on a holistic and humanistic framework, emphasizing critical thinking, caring and nursing practice competencies. It progresses from the study of individuals and groups experiencing high-level wellness to variations in wellness experiences. Continuing themes of growth and development across the life span, therapeutic communications, nutrition, social, cultural, racial and ethnic dimensions, pharmacotherapeutics, client advocacy, teaching, and legal and ethical standards are explored. Emphasis is placed on counseling and personal self-awareness and self-growth. Traditional psychotherapeutic and integrative health therapies are addressed. Students have the opportunity to carry out the nursing process and develop beginning level clinical skills in individual and group counseling at a variety of mental health agencies and with a diverse group of psychiatric clients. The course includes four lecture hours (4 credit hours), twelve clinical hours and independent lab per week. An Honors Option and a Service Learning experience are available. Satisfactory clinical evaluation and a minimum theory grade of “C” (75) are required for progression in the program. See orientation manual for grading. Fall semester offering only.

III. Statement of Course Need:

Preexisting course in the nursing curriculum

IV. Place of Course in College Curriculum;

This course meets a program requirement for the Nursing Program

V. Outline of Course Content:

Unit 1 (chapters 8,5,1, and 6). Historical, conceptual and theoretical perspectives: historical trends; psychological concepts (growth and development across the lifespan, communication theory, social, cultural, racial and ethnic dimensions, human needs; thoughts, feelings and behavior; stress and anxiety; conflict, frustration and coping). Theoretical models (holistic/integrative theoretical model emphasizing humanistic-existential theory, as well as psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioral, biological, alternative, sociological and family therapy approaches)

(Accessing current research and critically analyzing scholarly work in psychiatric-mental health nursing)

Unit 2 (chapters 2,8,6,7,22,19,3,20). Psychiatric-mental health nursing practice concepts: Self-awareness and self-growth, communication theory and therapeutic communication, phenomenology and individual counseling, psychosocial assessment and planning of care, group dynamics and therapeutic groups, stress management, therapeutic milieu, crisis theory and intervention, biological therapies and pharmacotherapeutics.

Unit 3. (chapter 12). Personality traits, personality styles and personality disorders.

Unit 4 (chapters 15 and 18). Adjustment disorders, disorders of childhood and adolescence, and psycho physiological disorders.

Unit 5 (chapters 13 and 16). Clients with substance-related disorders and eating disorders.

Unit 6 (chapter 9). Clients with anxiety, somatoform and dissociative disorders.

Unit 7 (chapters 10 and 25). Clients with affective disorders, suicide and grief.

Unit 8 (chapters 11 and 14). Clients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders and organic mental disorders

Unit 9 (chapter 17). Clients with sexual disorders

Unit 10 (chapter 23). Trauma, violence and abuse

Unit 11 (chapters 26,27 and 4). Contemporary social, political, economical, ethical and legal issues influencing psychiatric nursing including the chronic mentally ill, persons with AIDS, grief and loss, and community mental health

Note: Chapters listed in order of class presentation

· Apply psychiatric-mental health concepts, theories and appropriate therapeutic interventions to clients demonstrating a variety of psychiatric behaviors and disorders (Application)

· Manage safety and comfort principles and psychomotor skill competencies with clients demonstrating a variety of psychiatric behaviors and disorders. (Synthesis)

2. Demonstrate critical thinking in clinical decision making when maintaining physiologic and psychosocial integrity (G.E. 1, 2, 3,)

· Compare and contrast theoretical and methodological concepts of psychiatric mental health nursing when caring for clients with a variety of psychiatric disorders (Analysis)

· Differentiate major psychiatric disorders and therapeutic interventions for individuals experiencing various psychiatric disorders. (Analysis)

· Compare current research and critically analyze scholarly work in psychiatric-mental health nursing. (Analysis)

· Create effective progress notes and psychiatric plans of care utilizing critical thinking and effective assessment skills (Synthesis)

3. Collaborate appropriately with members of the health care team for the effective provision of care (G.E. 2)

· Examine qualities necessary for the effective practice of psychiatric nursing: integrity, cooperation, collaboration, dependability, responsibility, judgment, initiative, self-confidence, and appropriate physical presentation. (Analysis)

· Collaborate, cooperate and establish effective professional working relationships with mental health practitioners, students and instructor. (Synthesis)

4. Construct therapeutic interventions using the nursing process (G.E. 2, 4)

· Select effective therapeutic communication during informal client interactions and during formal counseling sessions. (Evaluation)

5. Integrate principles of growth and development across the lifespan in the promotion and maintenance of health (G.E. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)

· Choose appropriate interventions for clients with a variety of psychiatric disorders based on developmental stages of the client. (Evaluation)

· Assess client’s level of coping in response to a maturational or situational crisis.(Evaluation)

6. Utilize teaching/learning principles to improve outcomes when caring for clients at different levels of wellness (G.E 1, 2, 3)

· Demonstrate a beginning level ability to function effectively as a therapeutic group leader by planning and presenting a stress management technique in a group setting.(Application)

7. Utilize and maintain clinical practice standards when planning and delivering care (G.E. 3, 7)

· Predict the interactions, side effects and potential complications of polypharmacy with clients experiencing various psychiatric disorders. (Evaluation)

· Analyze how the New Jersey State Board of Nursing Statutes and Regulations, nursing care standards and agency protocols affect nursing practice. (Analysis)

FUNCTION AS A MANAGER OF CARE:

8. Synthesize concepts of community based care in the promotion and maintenance of health (G.E. 2)

· Analyze community agencies and groups by attending/participating in two community experiences in a primary or secondary health-care setting. (Analysis)

1. Integrate concepts of health care delivery systems in the contemporary society in order to deliver effective care (G.E. 3, 4)

· Examine historical movements in mental health care and in particular the role of psychiatric-mental health nursing within the larger mental-health system. (Analysis)

2. Employ concepts of current trends in health care when planning and delivering client care (G.E. 6, 7)

· Evaluate contemporary social, political, cultural, legal, ethical, and economic issues influencing trends in psychiatric-mental health nursing. (Evaluation)

3. Utilize appropriate communication techniques within the organizational structure and with clients and groups (G.E. 1, 2)

· Examine effective communication skills that will establish effective professional working relationships with mental health professional, students, instructor and members of the psychiatric-mental health team. (Analysis)

· Select effective therapeutic communication in the context of the nursing process. (Evaluation)

FUNCTION AS A MEMBER WITHIN THE PROFESSION OF NURSING:

4. Employ ethical behaviors, based on the Code of Ethics for Nurses, when providing care

(G.E. 5)

· Assess professional behavior and high ethical standards as defined by the ANA Code of Ethics and current ethical guidelines. (Evaluation)

5. Implement caring behaviors which respect and reflect values, customs and culture of clients, families and groups (G.E. 4, 5, 6)

· Create concern for the dignity and welfare of others by speaking and behaving respectfully and maintaining confidentiality in regard to client communication and student and faculty sharing in pre and post conference groups. (Synthesis)

6. Engage in activities for professional development, self-growth and life-long learning (G.E. 1)

· Assess self awareness and personal growth and evaluate ones ability to use self in a therapeutic manner. (Evaluation)

· Seek supervision from instructor concerning client care, self awareness and self-growth issues. (Synthesis)

7. Demonstrate accountability by following the legal guidelines for professional practice in the Statutes and Regulations of the New Jersey Board of Nursing (G.E. 5)

· Demonstrate client advocacy by recognizing and insuring client and colleague’s legal rights are safeguarded. (Application)

· Assess legal aspects of care and appropriate nursing interventions. (Evaluation)

VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning:

· Lecture and discussion

· Case studies

· Clinical experience and journal writing

· Post conference

· Research paper

· Clinical Training Day

VIII. Papers, Examinations and other Assessment Instruments:

· Comprehensive Nursing Care Plans

· Research Paper

· Community Visit Paper

· Journal

· Stress Management Demonstration Group

IX. Grade Determinants: (see specific assignments in syllabus)

Evaluation Methods: See specific assignments in syllabus

4 - Quizzes 40%

1 - Final Exam 50%

1 - Critical Analysis Research Paper 10%

Clinical Requirements:

1 - Stress Management Demonstration Group (pass/fail)

5 - Psychiatric Nursing Worksheets (pass/fail)

1 - Journal (12 entries) (pass/fail)

2 – Community Visit Paper (pass/fail)

X. Texts and Materials:

American Psychiatric Association (2000) Quick reference to diagnostic criteria from DSM-IV-TR. Washington D.C: APA.

Davis,M., Eshelman, E. & McKay, M. (1995) The relaxation and stress reduction workbook (4^th ed.) California: New Harbinger Publications.

Fortinash, K., & Holoday-Worret, P.A. (2004) Psychiatric mental health nursing (3^rd ed.) New York: Mosby

Suggested Text:

Varcarolis, E. (2004) Manual of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans (2nd ed.) New York: Saunders