NURS 410 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

The focus of this clinical nursing course is the client system composed of adults and adolescents in the context of family. Concepts are refined for application with clients who are mentally ill or are experiencing other difficulties in living. Theory pertains to the various disorders or difficulties in living. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on providing care for persons who have attained system stability or wellness or who are experiencing stressors affecting normal lines of defense. Physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual variables are incorporated in the nursing process. Intervention strategies focus on primary and secondary prevention with some tertiary intervention. Clinical experiences emphasize the provider of care role and introduce the designer/manager/coordinator of care role. Clinical learning experiences may occur in the psychiatric inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. The length of this course is one-half of the Fall Semester. (Four lecture hours/week, 12 clinical hours/week).