Nursing Care of Clients with Mental Health Disorders

Catalog description

This course provides the opportunity for students to engage within the specialty of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Students will provide care to individuals, groups, and families with the goal to promote, restore and maintain optimal health for those experiencing psychopathology. Traditional pharmacological and complementary, nonpharmacological methods are addressed. Students will apply previously learned knowledge, skills, behavioral and scientific concepts during the assessment and management of clients with mental health challenges. Emphasis will be on awareness of stigmatization surrounding this vulnerable population. Students will also examine the historical, social, and environmental impact upon clients and family’s abilities to meet the challenges of mental illness and refine their nursing care and therapeutic communication appropriately. Students are encouraged to examine their personal values and feelings through self-reflection and assessment in caring for patients in this setting and their interactions within the inter-professional mental health team.