Mental Health Nursing

EASTERN IOWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING - NU:200





Lecture Hours Per Week: 6 Semester Hours Credit: 5
Clinical Hours Per Week: 12


View Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Mental Health Nursing is one of three courses that allow a student to articulate to the associate degree level of nursing education. The course focuses upon the maladaptive neurobiological and behavioral responses of individuals to developmental and situational events throughout the life span. Theoretical concepts are presented to assist the student in developing self-awareness, as well as, understanding the meaning of behavior of others. The basic philosophical approach emphasizes the intrinsic worth and dignity of all individuals. Mental health nursing principles are presented with emphasis on the concept of caring, therapeutic use of self, and the practice of therapeutic communication skills. The focus is on holistic nursing and, because mental health nursing is applicable to every nurse’s individual practice, the concepts discussed in this course may be utilized in all clinical nursing settings. Application of specific mental health nursing principles and practice is determined by the nursing diagnosis of the client’s psychosocial and behavioral problems.

The mental health nursing clinical experience provides an opportunity for the student to utilize the nursing process in a variety of mental health care facilities.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The student will demonstrate the ability to develop and utilize the nursing process for children, adolescents, adults, the elderly, and special populations who are experiencing maladaptive responses to biopsychosocial health problems. Students explore nursing care that reflects recent development and current practice in inpatient and community-based settings.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

Townsend, M.C. (2000). Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Fortinash, K.M. and Holoday-Worret, P.A. (1999). Psychiatric nursing care plans (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. McKenry, L.M. and Salerno, E. (1999). Pharmacology in nursing (20th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
(NOTE: This book is required for all Bridge courses)


METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
Any of the following may be used:

Lecture/Discussion				Reference Materials
Independent Study				NLN Examination
Audio Visual Materials				Observational Experiences
Individual Conferences				Small Group Discussion
Learning Enhancement Projects			Interaction Process Analysis
Case Study				   	(Verbatims)
Clinical Practicum				Guest Speakers
Clinical Conference
METHODS OF EVALUATION 
Quizzes			   Class Assignments:   Journal Article Reviews
Unit Examinations	                        In-depth paper
Final Examination		                Presentation (individual or group)
Clinical Practicum 		                Psychopharmacology Review
Class attendance and participation  	        Journal
Grading Scale

100-93%   = A
 92-85%   = B
 84-77%   = C
 76-70%   = D
 69-below = F

POLICIES GOVERNING NURSING STUDENTS

Student handbook for nursing student.

Policies on Attendance: See Attendance Policy

Policies on Academic Dishonesty: See EICCD Student Code of Conduct in the EICCD Student Handbook.

Policy on Assignment make-up: See Addendum to Nursing Student Handbook

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