NURSING 3004 - Mental Health Nursing

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

This course has been designed to facilitate your understanding of the concepts of common mental health disorders, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology and your learning in the therapeutic nursing care of the patient with mental health problems using an evidenced based approach. The role of the consumer in their recovery and the skills necessary to conduct a comprehensive mental health assessment are of particular emphasis

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 3004
    Course Mental Health Nursing
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available to B.Nurs students only
    Course Description This course has been designed to facilitate your understanding of the concepts of common mental health disorders, epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology and your learning in the therapeutic nursing care of the patient with mental health problems using an evidenced based approach. The role of the consumer in their recovery and the skills necessary to conduct a comprehensive mental health assessment are of particular emphasis
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Patricia Mead

    Course Coordinator: Pat Mead Phone: +61 8 8313 4877

    Email: patricia.maed@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 3, Eleanor Harrald Building, RAH School OfficePhone: +61 8 8313 3595

    Level 3, Eleanor Harrald Building, RAH
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the completion of this course students will be able to
    1. Explain the aetiological theories of mental disorders and substance use issues
    2. Differentiate the features of groups of mental disorders
    3. Identify the spectrum of substance use issues and brief intervention approaches.
    4. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to perform a mental health assessment including substance use assessment
    5. Integrate the principles of recovery and consumer focussed care for mental health nursing practice.
    6. Select relevant nursing interventions from a range of evidence based approaches for mental health and substance use issues  
    7. Recognise the services which make up the health care system to respond to clients across the continuum of care. 
    8. Through analytical enquiry and critical reflection, show an understanding of the social inclusion, legal and ethical aspects of mental health and substance use practice.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    5,6, 8
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4,5,7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    7
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3, 4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Required Text
    Hungerford,C, Hodgson, D, Clancy, R, Monisse-Redman, M, Bostwick, R and Jones, T 2015 Mental Health Care - An Introduction for Health Professionals in Australia 2nd ed Wiley Australia

    This publication is available electronically or as hard copy. The electronic resources that accompany the text will be required through the course.

    Recommended text

    Happell, B, Byrne, L, McAllister, M & Wand, T 2014 Clinical Helper for Mental Health Nursing- The vital guide for students and new graduates' Allen & Unwin, Sydney.


    Reader
    Supplementary readings for this course will be available online electronically via MyUni. These are required readings for the course.
    Please Note: it is your responsibility to organise printing should you prefer a hard copy of the reader.



    Recommended Resources
    You are not required to purchase recommended resources however they will provide further materials to build your knowledge and understanding in mental health nursing.

    Mental Health Nursing

    Edward, K-L, Munro, I, Welch, A & Robins, A 2014 Mental Health Nursing - Dimensions of practice 2nd ed Oxford University Press, Australia & New Zealand

    Elder, R, Evans, K & Nizette, D 2013 Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 3rd ed Elsevier Australia

    Psychopharmacology
    Usher, K, Foster, K & Bullock, S 2009 Psychopharmacology for health professionals. Elsevier Australia
    Online Learning
    Study Guide and Reading materials will be available through the online platform - MyUni

    Submission of assessments will be through the relevant portal online
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Face to face lectures - this course benefits from the real time delivery of content. Face to face lectures offer synchronous learning opportunities and enable students to quickly clarify complex descriptions and terminology. Much of the content for this course is supported by text book and readings. The School of Nursing supports the audio and video capture of lecture content as an aid to revision.

    Interactive Tutorials - the essentail nature of team work and communication in mental health nursing is emphasised through interactive and supported tutorials. The use of case scenarios will build upon the lecture material and aid the synthesis of content in preparation for practice.


    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    • The workload for this cousre requires attendance at
    • 2 X1 hour lecture / week
    • 1 x 1 hour tutorial / week (a compulsory tutorial will be scheduled for this course)
    Non contact hours for assessment preparation and reading will be 5 hours per week


    Learning Activities Summary
    The information below sets out the lectures, tutorials outlines for MentalHealth Nursing. Other tutorials may be provided as required (x2 = 2 hour lecture) 

    Lecture series
    1. Introduction to principles and theories of mental wellness and disorders.
    2. Nursing practice in the context of mental health and substance use issues
    3. Recovery framework and consumer and carer focussed approaches to care x2 
    4. Mental Health Assessment (including risk assessment, substance use assessment and physical health assessment)  x2
    5. Substance Use issues - the context, range of disorders and approaches to interventions and care  x2
    6. Mental Health Disorders I - Low prevalence disorders x2
    7. Mental Health Disorders II - High prevalence disorders x 2
    8. Mental Health Care Planning x2
    9. Interventions in Mental Health & Substance use I - Psychopharmacology, ECT & psycho social rehabilitation  x2
    10. Interventions in Mental Health & Substance use II- Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other psychotherapeutic interventions. x2
    11. Mental Health Disorders - Perinatal, infant, child & adolescent x2
    12. Risk Management and challenging behaviours x2
    13. Nursing across the continuum of care - mental health services and settings. x2

    Tutorials
    1. Addressing preconceived ideas of mental illness and substance use disorders
    2. Mental health in context - legal & ethical aspects
    3. Mental Health Assessment, including risk, substance use and physical health
    4. Low prevalence Mental Disorders - case discussion
    5. Assessment in substance use disorders
    6. High prevalence disorders - case discussion
    7. Care planning & interventions - case discussion
    8. Perinatal, infant, child & adolescent mental disorders - case discussion


    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Participation in tutorial sessions and simulated learning experiences will provide the students with the opportunities to work together in smaller groups.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task
    Assessment Type  Weighting Learning Outcome (s) being addressed
    Online Quiz Formative 1,2,8
    Mental Health Assessment (250 words) Summative 10% participation 2,3,4
    Mental Health Assessment (1500 word) Summative 40% written report 2,3,4,8
    Mental Health Essay (2000 words) Summative 50% all
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1: Online Quiz
    A series of questions, multiple choice / short answer will be provided online for students to complete. This will provide the opportunity to monitor the learning and understanding of core concepts in mental health and substance use.

    Assessment 2: Mental Health Assessment
    Students will participate in a skills workshop to develop and practice skills for mental health assessment.
    This will be further supported by the development of a written paper that will explore mental health assessment in detail.

    Assessment 3: Mental Health Essay
    Students will develop a paper to bring together the knowledge and theories that inform nursing practice in the fields of mental health and substance use.
    Submission

    Unless otherwise indicated all submission of assignments is to be through the assignments portal of MyUni. TurnItin will be used to check student assignments. Students MUST keep an electronic copy of all assignments submitted. 

    Extensions are generally awarded for no more than 10 working days unless there are exceptional circumstances.

    To apply for an Assessment Extension, a student must submit an application for extension form prior to the assessment deadline. You will find this on the School of Nursing Website or use the link provided here.

     See the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.