General Information

• Name: Mental Health and Illness Clinical
• Discipline: Nursing (NURS)
• Units (Credits): 1
• Schedule History: See when this course was offered over the last three years.
• Transfer Information: Courses with numbers 100 to 299: This course is designed to apply toward a WNC degree and/or transfer to other schools within the Nevada System of Higher Education, depending on the degree chosen and other courses completed. It may transfer to colleges and universities outside Nevada. For information about how this course can transfer and apply to your program of study, please contact a counselor.
• Academic Division: Nursing and Allied Health

Prerequisites and Recommended Courses

• Prerequisites: admission to the nursing program
• Corequisites: NURS 149 & NURS 150

Course Outline

I: Catalog Course Description

Requires students to utilize the nursing process to apply knowledge of the principles and practice of psychiatric nursing to the care of patients experiencing disruptions in psycho/social functioning. Collaborative experiences involving students, members of the psychiatric health care team, patients and their families occur at acute care and outpatient settings. Relevant legal and ethical issues are explored within the context of care of patients with disruptions in psychosocial integrity. Formerly NURS 238.

II: Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

• Utilize the nursing process to individualize plans of care of patients from various cultures who are experiencing primary threats to psychosocial integrity.
• Apply the principles of psychiatric mental health nursing to the care of patients in all health care settings.
• Justify the choice of specific therapeutic communication skills used during interactions with patients experiencing threats to psychosocial integrity.
• Develop a teaching plan for patients receiving psychotropic medications.
• Utilize assessment skills to identify patients at risk for life-threatening conditions to self or others.
• Evaluate therapeutic relationship skills used with patients experiencing alterations in bio/psycho/social integrity.
• Evaluate the milieu of the clinical setting.
• Practice within the ethical values and legal parameters of the profession.
• Collaborate with the health care team, patient, and family to formulate a plan of care and evaluate the desired outcome(s).

III: Course Linkage

Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome.

Linkage of course to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes, Nursing Program Mission, Nursing Program Outcomes and General Education Outcomes.

Link to the Associate of Applied Sciences Degree Mission and Outcomes

The purpose of the Associate of Applied Science degree is to provide employment-related knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a chosen field of study.

Students who complete programs in occupational areas are expected to demonstrate that they

1. Know subject area of the degree
2. Are able to acquire skills and perform tasks necessary for employment or career enhancement

Link to the Nursing Program Mission

The mission of the nursing program at Western Nevada College is to meet the nursing educational needs of the service area. The program prepares qualified students to function as entry-level registered nurses and transfer to higher degree programs.

Graduates are prepared to function in a variety of health care settings, providing culturally sensitive, holistic nursing care to individuals and families across the lifespan. The nursing faculty supports graduate competency in an evolving and complex health care environment by facilitating the students' development of clinical judgement, promoting professional behaviors, and fostering the value of lifelong learning.

Link to at least one Nursing Program Educational Outcome

Utilize principles of teaching and learning to meet the bio/psycho/social/cultural/spiritual needs of patients and their families.

Provide care that reflects the ethical values of nursing within professional practice standards and the legal parameters of the profession.

Utilize therapeutic communication skills when interacting with patients and their families.

Link to at least one general education outcome

Understand and apply social science principles, including an appreciation of participation in civic affairs.