Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401459

Coordinator Gihane Endrawes Opens in new window

Description Mental Health Nursing Practice develops knowledge and skills to support nursing practice when providing care for people with mental health issues in a range of health care settings. It explores contemporary models of care such as recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed care, and social determinants approach. Students will develop awareness and plan evidence-based initiatives that promote mental health, prevent and intervene early in illness, facilitate recovery, and promote wellbeing. The subject includes 80 hours of clinical placement.

School Nursing & Midwifery

Discipline General Nursing

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 1 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) NURS 3040 - Foundation of Nursing Practice

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in program 4785 - Master of Nursing Practice (Preregistration).

Assumed Knowledge

Primary health care, professional communication, foundational concepts in human behavioural science and their application to nursing or midwifery practice, roles and responsibilities of registered nurse 

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically reflect on the application of appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes in mental health nursing integrating knowledge of safety and quality standards 
2. Deliberate ethical, legal and professional issues that may influence the therapeutic relationship with mental health consumers, carers, and significant others
3.Adapt a lifespan approach to develop person centred professional therapeutic relationships with mental health consumers, carers, and significant others using empathic and compassionate language 
4. Advocate supporting the rights of mental health consumers to lead their treatment and recovery process, and the rights of carers and significant others with the consumer’s consent, to collaborate in the treatment and recovery process 
5. Investigate best  evidence initiatives that promote mental health, prevent, and intervene early in illness, facilitate recovery, and promote wellbeing
6. Analyse how to facilitate the recovery of mental health consumers by focussing on strengths and wellbeing

Subject Content

1. An introduction to anxiety disorders, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use based on Recovery Principles and Trauma Informed Care
2. An introduction to mental health assessment, including comprehensive assessment of mental health consumers, carers and families, risk and strength assessments, triage, and diagnostic categories
3. Psycho-social concerns would be reflected in person-centred / Recovery model and the importance of having a conversation about what is happening in their lives currently. The focus is on a wholistic approach.
4. An introduction to psychopharmacology
5. Effect of stigma and myths around mental illness
6. Lived experience of mental health consumers and carers, consumer, and carer partnership in recovery.
7. Positive images about people with mental illness, promoting positive messages
8. Explore ethical application of the MH Act, 2007 including least restrictive care
9. Building professional therapeutic relationship with mental health consumers, carers, and families using empathetic communication skills
10. Contemporary models of care such as recovery-oriented practice and trauma-informed care
11. Effect of cultural/ spiritual and social factors (including Domestic Violence) in mental illness on individuals, families, and communities, including CALD-use of interpreters
12. Mental health promotion and early intervention strategies
13. Discussion of strength approach to Recovery
14. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing
15. An introduction to mental health and vulnerable populations
16. An introduction to physical assessment in mental health
17. Accesses and analyses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Special Requirements Legislative Prerequisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
To be eligible to enrol in this unit and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your course.
Special Requirements
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your course, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet
Please ensure that you
1. Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
2. Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
3. Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
4. Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.
International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.
School Requirements
Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as
If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire course.
Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire course - approved course providers can be found at the Government Training website
http://training.gov.au
Other non-health related requirements.
Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW Students only)
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Essential equipment

Students must wear the School of Nursing and Midwifery clinical uniform, including correct fully enclosed ALL black shoes [that meet WHS requirements - Shoes must be low heeled, fully enclosed, non-slip soles (Reeboks, joggers, sandshoes, sneakers, gym shoes, sandals, slippers, ballet shoes, etc. are NOT acceptable.)] to all CPU classes and the clinical placement. The uniform can be purchased from the retail store on campus.

Access to an internet enabled device is essential in order to be able to: access course 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.