NURS 139 Mental Health Nursing Practicum

3 credits

This course is designed to provide nursing students with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in mental health settings, developing clinical competencies in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with mental health and substance-use disorders. Students will apply theoretical knowledge from their NURS 135 coursework to real-world and simulated scenarios. This course teaches to the global outcome of communication.

Prerequisites: All NURS courses in previous quarter

Corequisites: All NURS courses within same quarter

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Develop proficiency in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments, including history-taking, mental status examinations, and risk assessments
Apply evidence-based practices to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans for patients with diverse mental health conditions and substance-use disorders
Recognize expected and potential negative side effects associated with commonly prescribed psychotropic medications
Demonstrate therapeutic communication skills and establish effective nurse-patient relationships to support the mental and emotional well-being of patients
Understand and integrate ethical and legal considerations in the provision of mental health care
Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams to deliver holistic, patient-centered care
Reflect on personal attitudes and beliefs about mental health to enhance professional growth and cultural competence

Total Hours: 60 Guided Practice (Lab or Clinical) Hours: 60