This course focuses on concepts basic to psychiatric-mental health nursing including neurobiology, therapeutic communication, cultural diversity, spirituality, family dynamics, loss and grieving, stress and coping, crisis intervention, violence, abuse, psychiatric disorders, and community resources. Mental health issues across the life span are explored. The course introduces specialized assessment and communication skills necessary for the care of the individual experiencing situational and maturational stressors as well as mental illness. Clinical experiences provide the student with the opportunity to develop assessment skills, communication skills, cultural awareness, nursing process, critical thinking skills, teaching skills, and collaborative skills in acute in-patient, chemical dependency, outpatient, and adolescent units.
Prerequisites
NUR104