Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 400219

Coordinator Lisa Wong Opens in new window

Description This subject is designed to challenge the student to consider evidence-based practice in mental health nursing. Nurses are required to be accountable for their clinical practice and to be able to argue the evidence for specific nursing interventions. Students undertake critical analysis of evidence-based practice in mental health nursing as a concept, a means of accountability, as a means of defining nursing knowledge. Students will apply evidence-based practice concepts to specific psychiatric disorders and problems.

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 4654 Graduate Diploma Nursing (Mental Health), 4719 Master of Mental Health Nursing, 4720 Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing or 4721 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing.

Assumed Knowledge

Students must be registered nurses with a basic knowledge of mental health, mental illness, and assessment processes, augmented with experience in mental health settings.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critique the foundation of nursing knowledge in mental health and its relationship to evidence-based practice.
2. Critically analyse the evidence for nursing practice in specific disorders and problems: psychosis, depression, self-harm, suicidal behaviour, agitation, fear and related behaviours, personality disorders (focus on borderline personality disorder), anxiety disorders and eating disorders.
3. Evaluate the role of the nurse in implementing recovery principles and trauma-informed care to offer optimal person-centred care in the mental health context.
4. Critically reflect on the role of family, significant others, and community to improve the collaborative care process.

Subject Content

1. Evidenced based practice (EBP) and mental health nursing
2. Barriers and limitations to EBP in mental health nursing
3. Determining the effectiveness of clinical practice in mental health nursing
4. Constructing mental health nursing knowledge
5. Analysis of nursing interventions with persons experiencing
• Psychosis
• Depression
• Self-harm & suicidal behaviour
• Agitation, fear and related behaviours
• Personality Disorders (focus on Borderline Personality disorder)
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders

Special Requirements

Essential equipment

Access to a computer and the internet is essential in order to be able to: access program materials; to participate in discussion groups; and to access additional resources provided by the lecturer during the session. See http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/currentstudents/current_students/services_and_facilities/uwsonline_student_support for further information.