Unit Code: NMH864

Unit Name: Contexts of Mental Health Nursing

Description: The course introduces the student to some of the specialist knowledge that is required in mental health nursing, including theories and frameworks of care and how they can be utilized in the provision of care. Roles and responsibilities of the nurse in this specialist area, the importance of practising within scope of practice, adhering to ethical and legal principles when working with clients experiencing mental health related problems will be emphasized. Culture and the spiritual aspect of the client and how they impact the client’ health status will be examined together with contemporary and alternate approaches to aid the recovering client. Furthermore, students will learn about the importance of taking care of oneself.

Learning Target Outcomes: On successful completion of this course, the students will be able to: 1. Explore the different perspectives of mental health and their impact on people’s attitude towards mental illness. 2. Distinguish the different contexts of mental health care globally and in Fiji in the provision of care. 3. Plan nursing care for client suffering from mental health problems/disorders using relevant mental health nursing theories or models of care. 4. Analyse the application of ethical principles and legal concepts in the provision of effective and safe mental health nursing care. 5. Demonstrate skills in developing and maintaining therapeutic relationship with clients (families and carers) who have mental health problems/disorders. 6. Explain the role and function of the mental health nurse as a manager in the delivery of mental health care services. 7. Explain the importance of self- care and clinical supervision for the mental health nurse. 8. Demonstrate clinical skills in mental health nursing (clinical practice).

Prerequisite: Minimum Entry Requirement.

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 20

Offered In: Semester 1