Unit of Study NURS2005 Mental Health Nursing (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Health
Placement

Yes

Pre-requisites

NURS2013 - Promoting Wellness in Chronic Health and Disability OR NURS2001 - Nursing Practices; OR NURS2014 - Positive Approaches to Chronic Health and Disability

Enrolment information

This unit contains Work Integrated Learning (WIL) that requires students to meet mandatory fit to practice obligations prior to attending. Failure to comply by the fit to practice deadline will result in the cancellation of your WIL and you will not be permitted to continue in this unit. Full details are available at www.scu.edu.au/health/work-integrated-learning.

Unit description

Develops foundational skills in the specialty of mental health nursing and therapeutic alliances with people experiencing manifestations of mental ill-health or distress in the context of mental health services. This unit will prepare students for a two-week (80hr) professional experience placement in mental health nursing and sets the foundation for a pathway to postgraduate practice in mental health nursing.

Unit content

Introduction to mental health nursing / working with consumers, families and carers as a skilled helper
Holistic assessment of mental state
Major mental illness presentation and care considerations
Evidence based responses
Supporting people to maintain mental health and wellbeing
Interpersonal skills workshop and preparing for WIL

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Coffs Harbour	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4
Gold Coast	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4
Lismore	Dual Term1,4	Dual Term1,4

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

demonstrate engagement and empathetic communication with individuals and groups experiencing mental health related problems across the lifespan

provide clinically effective, recovery focused and trauma informed mental health nursing care

effectively undertake assessment, planning, interventions and evaluation of care with people who frequently access acute mental health services

demonstrate foundational skills in helping people who are experiencing emotional distress and/or behavioural disturbances

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Placement 80 hours (Across the term)

Tutorial 3 hours (Weekly (over 6 wks))

Assessment
Presentation	40%
Essay	60%
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Placement 80 hours (Across the term)

Tutorial 3 hours (Weekly (over 6 wks))

Assessment
Presentation	40%
Essay	60%
Placement	SR

Teaching method

Tutorial 3 hours (Weekly (over 6 wks))

Placement 80 hours (Across the term)

Assessment
Presentation	40%
Essay	60%
Placement	SR

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Foster, K., Marks, P., O’Brien, A. J., & Hurley, J. (eds), 2024, Mental health in nursing: Theory and practice for clinical settings, 6th edn, Elsevier Australia, Chatswood.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

No prescribed resources/equipment.

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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