Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 400228

Coordinator Greg Clark Opens in new window

Description This subject examines assessment and treatment planning practices for advanced practice nurses. Components of the subject include advanced assessment skills, diagnostic decision making, judicious ordering, reading and interpretation of pathology and radiology tests, triaging and prioritisation, pharmacology, intervention and referral skills. These skills will be addressed in a range of assessment and decision-making situations, to include assessment across the lifespan and recognizing deviation from the norm. Nurses working at an advanced practice level are expected to be able to autonomously undertake comprehensive mental health assessments, and to apply clinical judgement to decision making and treatment planning.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline Mental Health Nursing

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in program 4745, Master of Nurse Practitioner (Mental Health). Students in 4745 must be working in mental health services at an advanced practice level and must nominate a primary supervisor / mentor / assessor and a clinical support group.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate and apply the knowledge and skills required for comprehensive and holistic clinical assessment of clients, including physical and psychological assessment from across the lifespan presenting with mental health problems and disorders.
2. Select and apply a variety of interview techniques in order to complete autonomous, comprehensive, mental health (including emotional, cultural, social and spiritual perspectives) and physical assessments.
3. Critically analyse and apply problem solving skills in a range of assessment and decision-making situations taking into account differential diagnoses and complex clinical decision making imperatives.
4. Critically evaluate the utilisation of diagnostic tests and their interpretation for the assessment and treatment of clients across the lifespan with mental health problems and disorders.
5. Critically analyse the ethical, legal, collaborative and prioritisation dimensions of decision-making processes in mental health assessment and treatment.
6. Critically discuss the role of client, family, significant others and community in mental health assessment and treatment planning processes.
7. Critically discuss treatment options including pharmacology and the skills required for judicious use of medication.

Subject Content

Holistic and comprehensive assessment across the lifespan
Mental health assessment
Early intervention
Physical health assessment and diagnostic investigations and interpretation
Cultural and Indigenous awareness in assessment
Consumer, family and carer involvement in assessment
Trauma history assessment
Clinical decision-making and holistic treatment planning and ordering of diagnostic tests
Holistic assessment, differential diagnosis and treatment planning for:
- psychosis
- mood disorders
- dual Diagnosis (substance Abuse and mental illness)
- Borderline personality Disorder
- anxiety disorders
- adjustment Disorder
- conditions that mimic Brain disorders
- other disorders as appropriate to individual student learning needs
Clinical supervision
Recovery and assessment