NUR 202 Psychiatric- Mental Health Nursing
Syllabus
Course Description
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 lifespan 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.
Prerequisite: BIO105, 106, 301; NUR100; NUR100, 101, 102, 103, 104.
Co-requisite NUR 201 requisite
Total Contact Hours: 75 (30 for Lecture, 0 for Laboratory, 0 for Simulation, 45 for
Clinical)
Out-of-Class Work: 105 hours
Semester Credit Hours: 3.0
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Analyze relevant assessment data to provide holistic client-centered care.
2. Utilize the nursing process, critical thinking, evidence-based information, and
knowledge from the arts and sciences to support sound clinical decisions.
3. Communicate effectively through verbal, nonverbal, written, and technological
means with individuals, families, and health care team members.
4. Apply the nursing process for clients in a safe, compassionate, culturally
competent manner that promotes human dignity.
5. Manage the efficient, effective use of human, physical, financial, and
technological resources in providing continuity of care within and across healthcare
settings.
6. Collaborate with individuals, families, and healthcare team members in
providing comprehensive, individualized patient care.
7. Demonstrate accountability in adhering to standards of professional practice
within legal and ethical frameworks.
8. Participate in activities that promote professional development and personal
growth.
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Course Objectives
In this course, students will:
1. Assess physical, cognitive, psychosocial, religious, and cultural factors when
arriving at a prioritized problem list for adults experiencing situational stressors,
maturational stressors, and mental illness. (SLO – 1, 2)
2. Demonstrate beginning skills in applying critical thinking skills and the nursing
process in providing individualized nursing care. (SLO - 2 )
3. Examine recent research findings related to the nursing care of individuals
experiencing situational stressors, maturational stressors, and mental illness. (SLO 2)
4. Incorporate an individual’s cultural beliefs, lifestyle, and support system in
planning and implementing holistic nursing care. (SLO – 3, 4, 6 )
5. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and the use of standards of care and theoretical
concepts while providing safe nursing care for individuals experiencing situational
stressors, maturational stressors, and mental illness. (SLO – 2, 3, 4, 6 )
6. Begin, with faculty guidance, to consider one’s own perceptions and stereotypes
and develop strategies to become less judgmental of others. (SLO - 8 )
7. Apply therapeutic communication concepts and techniques in establishing a
nurse-client relationship. (SLO - 3 )
8. Use a process recording to analyze, evaluate, and modify one’s own
communication with clients. (SLO – 3, 4, 8)
9. Recognize collaborative behaviors shown by self, peers, and other health care
providers. (SLO -6)
10. Identify legal and ethical issues having impact on the care of individuals
experiencing situational stressors, maturational stressors, and mental illness. (SLO 7)
11. Demonstrate responsibility for your own learning consistent with course and
professional expectations. (SLO-8 )
Required Resources
Textbook
● Halter, M. (2018). Varcarolis’ Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing:
A Clinical Approach (8th ed.). Elsevier.
Reference Package
● Ackley. (2020). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook: An Evidence-based Guide to
Planning Care. (12th ed.). Elsevier.
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● HESI. (2020). HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination. (6th
ed.) Elsevier.
o RN Case Studies & Practice Tests. Elsevier. (See HESI Package).
● Morris. (2018). Calculate with Confidence. (7th ed.). Elsevier
● Pagana. (2018). Mosby’s Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests. (6th ed.).
Elsevier
● Perry; Potter. (2017) Clinical Nursing Skills and Techniques. (9th ed.) Elsevier
● Skidmore-Roth, L. (2021). Mosby’s 2021 Nursing Drug Reference (34th ed.).
Elsevier.
● Silvestri, L. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination (8th ed.). Elsevier.
● Silvestri, L. (2017). Saunders Q & A review for the NCLEX-RN Examination. (7th
ed.). Elsevier.
● Elsevier. (2015).RN Simulation Learning System for RN 2.0 (User Guide and
Retail Access Code). (2nd ed). Elsevier.
Resource Center Materials
● Chabner, D. (2018) Medical Terminology: A Short Course (8th ed.). Elsevier.
● Sharp & Upchurch. (2020) HESI Admission Assessment Exam Review (5th ed.).
Elsevier.
● Silvestri, (2019) Saunders 2020-2021 Strategies for Test Success: Passing
Nursing School and the NCLEX Exam (6th ed). Elsevier
Materials and Supplies
● LRC and Computer lab access with printer
Instructional Methods
Lecture / Discussion
Required readings
Assignments and Projects (including study guide assignments)
Audio, Visual and Audio-Visual aids
Group activities
Online / Electronic Instruction
Demonstration
Hand-outs
Actual and Simulated Clinical Experiences
Mode of Delivery
Residential
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Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines
If you have a special learning need, please contact the Director of Education. The
Director of Education and the Campus President, in consultation with the Vice President
of Education at Education Affiliates, Inc., will work with the student to identify
reasonable accommodations/adjustments necessary to enable him or her to fully
participate in the educational processes. Questions about this process may be directed
to the Vice President of Education.
Classroom Policy
Our goal is to build a respectful learning and work environment that allows for positive
communication and teamwork. To promote this all students must abide by academic
policies related to attendance, behavior and professional conduct as published in the
current institutional catalog.
Grading
To successfully complete a nursing course, a student is required to achieve a minimum
composite test score of 78% (average of test scores/Key Graded Assessments) and a
minimum of 78% overall course grade (includes the course assignments that are not
Key Graded Assessments (KGAs).
The student must also achieve a performance grade of Pass (P) on lab performance
components of the course to achieve a passing grade. Laboratory activities are graded
as Pass / Fail.
Failure to meet any one of the requirements will result in a failing grade for the course.
Grading Scale
Grade
Percentages
Quality Points
A
95 to 100
4.0
A-
90 to 94
3.7
B+
87 to 89
3.3
B
83 to 86
3.0
B-
80 to 82
2.7
C+
78* to 79
2.3
C
73 to 77
2.0
C-
70 to 72
1.7
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D+
67 to 69
1.3
D
60 to 66
1.0
F
59 and below OR Not Proficient in
the Course
0.0
P
Proficient in the Course
NA
Grade Components and Values
Method of Evaluation
Number
Percentage
Unit Exams
3
45%
Final Exam
1
25%
Mental Health
Specialty Exam
1
10%
Quizzes
5
5%
200
3%
HESI RN Case Study
4
10%
HESI RN Practice
Exam
1
1%
Kaplan: Focused
Review Test
3
1%
Saunders NCLEX
Questions
Total:
Assignment
Type
100%
Key Graded Assessments
Key graded assessments include quizzes, unit exams, final exams, and HESI exams.
All Key Graded assessments will be proctored and subject to the Late Work Policy.
Assignments / Homework
Each course includes learning activities that are required for students to complete
satisfactorily. The assignments that are not tests/exams (KGA) are designed to promote
critical thinking and writing skills.
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The course points assigned to non-KGA learning activities are not calculated into the
overall course grade unless a student has achieved the minimum of a composite score
of 78% on the KGA. These are required assignments and do contribute to the overall
course score.
Late Work Policy and Procedure
The assignment due dates are identified in the course. If a course
assignment is submitted late, the following policy will apply:
1. Late work will only be accepted with prior approval from the instructor. No late
assignment will be accepted without the instructor’s approval.
2. Pass/Fail assignments will not be accepted late. If the assignment is late, it will be
graded as a fail.
3. No assignments will be accepted 8 days from the due date. No late assignments
will be accepted during the final week of the term.
4. Points will be deducted from a late assignment based on the following:
a. Assignments submitted from 1 to 7 calendar days after the due date will
have a 10% assignment grade reduction.
b. An assignment submitted 8 calendar days after the due date will receive no
credit (0%) for the assignment grade.
If a key graded assessment (KGAs) is not completed at the scheduled time and date,
the following policy will apply:
1. The student must notify and receive approval from the instructor to reschedule a
time to complete the KGA.
2. The KGA is submitted 1 to 7 calendar days after the due date: 10% assignment
grade reduction. No assessments will be accepted 8 days after the due date.
Examinations
Students are responsible for maintaining and applying knowledge from previously
completed courses at St. Paul’s School of Nursing as well as courses that were
transferred or successfully challenged. Students are responsible for both new and
previously learned subject matter up to the date of each exam. This means that
students may be tested on all previously learned content as the student advances from
semester to semester. The final exam is cumulative for the semester.
HESI Exam
The recommended HESI exam benchmark score (expected level of achievement) is
900. The HESI conversion score will be used to calculate the course grade.
The student will be permitted one attempt on the HESI exam.
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Based on the student’s performance on the HESI Exam the student will be
assigned specific remediation assignment/s. Students must submit remediation to
obtain a course grade for the HESI exam. Students who do not submit the
completed remediation assignment/s with documentation by the designated
deadline will receive a zero for the HESI score.
Progression
A student in a nursing program is permitted to continue his or her enrollment in the
program after earning one failing grade in a nursing and/or required science course. A
failed nursing or required science course must be repeated successfully on the second
attempt. Failure to succeed on the 2nd attempt will result in dismissal from the nursing
program.
Distribution of Out-of-Class Time
Out-of-Class Assignments
Reading (chapters from Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing)
Focused Competency Development Activities:
HESI RN Case Study (4 @ 3 hours) = 12
HESI RN Practice Exam (1 @ 2 hours) = 2
Saunders NCLEX Questions (200) = 7
Kaplan Resources (estimated 4 hours)= 4
Exam (4 @ 3 hours) and Final Exam (1X 3 hours) Preparation
Total Estimated Hours
Time
(hours)
65
25
15
105
Course Outline
Topics
Student Learning Activities
Assignment Activity
(Graded)
Week 1 (CO: 1-9, 11)
Theory:
● The Psychiatric Nurse
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Mental Health and
Mental Illness
● Chapter 1 Mental Health
and Mental Illness
● Theories and
Therapies
● Chapter 2 Theories and
Therapies
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Assignment:
Review questions Chap 1,
2, 4, 7
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● The Nursing Process
● Chapter 4 Treatment
in Psychiatric Nursing:
Settings
Application and
● Chapter 7 The Nursing
Documentation
Process
Week 2 (CO: 1-9, 11)
Theory:
• Nurse Therapeutic
relationship
• Communication skills
• Therapeutic and
theoretical approaches
• Legal and Ethical
Guidelines
• Standards of Care
• Culture/Implications for
Practice
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments:
Review questions Chap 8,
9, 5, 6
● Chapter 8 Therapeutic
Relationships
● Chapter 9 Therapeutic
Communication
● Chapter 5 Cultural
Implications
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
● Chapter 6 Legal and Ethical
Considerations
Activities
● Prepare for Quiz #1
Chapters 1,2, 4-9
● Kaplan Focused Review
Test: Psychiatric Nursing
A
Week 3 (CO: 4, 5, 6)
Theory:
• Psychopharmacology
Introduction
• Family and biological,
social, and mental
stressors
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Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Chapter 3 Psychobiology
and Psychopharmacology
9/6/2022
Assignments
Quiz #1
Review questions Chap
3,10, 16
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• Crisis Intervention
• Stress and Coping
● Chapter 10 Stress
Responses and Stress
Management
● Chapter 16 Trauma,
Stressor-Related, and
Dissociative Disorders
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Activities
Prepare: Exam #1 (Weeks
1-3)
Medication Review: Begin this
week. Use Kaplan resources to
review medications each week
in a drug card format—be
prepared to review with class.
Kaplan Focused Review
Test: Mental Health
Nursing A
Medications: Methylphenidate, Lisdexamfetamine, Amphetamine
Week 4 (CO: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9)
•
•
•
Suicide Prevention
and Intervention
Grief and Loss
Dying process in the
modern world
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
● Chapter 25 Suicide and
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
(Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10 & 16)
● Chapter 30 Dying, death &
Grieving
Unit Exam #1
Review questions Chap
25,30
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Week 5 (CO: 1- 12)
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Theory:
•
Anxiety and Anxiety
Disorders
•
Us of
Benzodiazepines
•
Somatic Disorders
•
Eating/Feeding
Disorders
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Chapter 15. Anxiety and
Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorders
● Chapter 17. Somatic
Symptom Disorders
● Chapter 18. Eating and
Feeding Disorders
Assignments
Review questions Chap
15,17, 18
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Prepare for Quiz #1 Chapters
25, 30, 15, 17, 18
Activities:
Complete: HESI RN Case
Study: Major Depressive
Disorder
Medication Review
Medications:
● Benzodiazepines: Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam
● Non-benzodiazepine: Buspirone
● Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine
● Antihypertensives: Propranolol, Clonidine
Week 6 (CO: 1-12)
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Theory:
•
Mood Disorders and
Adjustment Disorders
•
Depressive Disorders
•
Crisis & Disaster
•
ECT
•
Antidepressants
(SSRIs,TCAs, MOAIs,
other)
•
Hypertensive Crisis
•
Serotonin Syndrome
•
Mood Stabilizers
•
Lithium, Valproate,
Carbamazepine
•
Crisis: Theory &
Intervention
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
● Chapter 13. Bipolar and
Related Disorders
Review questions Chap
13,14, 26
● Chapter 14. Depressive
Disorders
● Chapter 26. Crisis and
Disaster
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Activities
Turn in HESI RN Case
Study: Major Depressive
Disorder
Quiz #2
Prepare: Unit Exam #2 (Weeks
4-6)
Medication Review
Medications:
Mood stabilizers: Lithium, Anticonvulsants (Valproate, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine)
Benzodiazepines: Clonazepam, Lorazepam
Antipsychotics: Olanzapine, Risperidone
Antidepressants: Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine,
Sertraline, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine, Trazodone, Bupropion, Amitriptyline, Desipramine,
Imipramine, Phenelzine
Week 7 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
• Personality Disorders
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
Unit Exam #2
(Chapters 25, 30, 15, 17,
18, 13, 14, 26)
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● Chapter 24. Personality
Disorders
Review questions Chap
24
Activities
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
HESI RN Case Study:
Psychosis
Kaplan Focused Review
Test: Psychiatric Nursing
B
Medications:
Treatment for personality disorders: Lithium, Carbamazepine, Valproate, Olanzapine,
Risperidone, Beta-blockers
Week 8 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
• Schizophrenia
• Treatment for
Extrapyramidal
symptoms (EPS)
• Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS)
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Treatment for Addiction
& withdrawal
• Use of Narcan for
Opioid overdose
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
Review questions Chap
12,21,22
● Chapter 12. Schizophrenia
Disorders
● Chapter 21 Impulse
Disorders
● Chapter 22 Substance
Related and Addictive
Disorders
Activities
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Turn in HESI RN Case
Study: Psychosis
Complete: HESI RN Case
Study: Alcoholism
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Medication Review
Medications:
Antipsychotics: Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Paliperidone,
Quetiapine, Risperidone, Ziprasidone, Aripiprazole
Treatment for EPS: Benztropine, Diphenhydramine, Propranolol, Lorazepam,
Diazepam
Benzodiazepines and similar meds: Temazepam, Zolpidem
Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine
Treatment for Addiction & Withdrawal: Disulfiram, Carbamazepine, Chlordiazepoxide,
Phenobarbital, Quetiapine, Diazepam, Naltrexone, Clonidine, Methadone,
Buprenorphine, Varenicline
Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease: Donepezil, Memantine,
Treatment for Opioid Overdose: Narcan
Week 9 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
● Cognitive Disorders:
Delirium, Dementia,
Amnestic Disorders
● Treatment for
Alzheimer’s Disease
● Disorders of
Infancy/Childhood/
● Adolescence
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
● Chapter 23 Neurocognitive
Disorders
Review questions Chap
23,11, 27
● Chapter 11 Childhood and
Neurodevelopmental
Disorders
● Chapter 27 Anger,
Aggression, and Violence
● Anger, Aggression,
and Violence
Activities
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Quiz #3
Complete & Turn in: 25
NCLEX questions from
Saunders Comprehensive
Review for the NCLEX-RN
Examination
Turn in HESI RN Case
Study: Alcoholism
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● Complete: HESI RN
Case Study: Alzheimer’s
Disease
● Kaplan Focused Review
Test: Psychiatric Nursing
C
Medication Review
Medications:
Treatment for ADHD: Methylphenidate, Lisdexamfetamine, Amphetamine
Acute management of violent behavior: Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Diazepam,
Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Diphenhydramine,
Benztropine
Long-term management of aggression: SSRI, Lithium, Anticonvulsants,
Antipsychotics, Beta-blockers
Week 10 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
● Child, Older Adult and
Intimate Partner
Violence
● Sleep-Wake
Disorders
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Chapter 28 Child, Older
Adult and Intimate Partner
Violence
Assignments
Complete Quiz #4
Review questions Chap
28, 19
● Chapter 19 Sleep-Wake
Disorders
Activities:
● Prepare: Unit Exam #3
(Weeks #7-10)
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Turn in HESI RN Case
Study: Alzheimer’s
Disease
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● Complete: HESI RN
Psychiatric/ Mental
Health Practice Exam
Kaplan Focused Review
Test: Mental Health
Nursing C
Week 11 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
● Gender Spectrum
● Sexual Dysfunctions
●
Sexual Assault
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
Assignments
● Chapter 20 Sexual
Dysfunctions, Gender
Dysphoria, and Paraphilias
Unit Exam #3
(Chapters 24, 12, 21, 22,
23, 11, 27, 28, 19)
● Chapter 29 Sexual Assault
Review questions Chap
20,29
HESI RN Psychiatric
Mental Health Practice
Exam
Week 12 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
● Psychosocial Needs
of Older Adults
● Serious Mental Illness
● Forensic Nursing
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Chapter 31 Older Adults
Quiz #5
Review questions Chap
31, 32, ,33
● Chapter 32 Serious
Mental Illness
● Chapter 33 Forensic
Nursing
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Assignments:
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Prepare for Specialty
Exam: Psychiatric/ Mental
Health
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Week 13 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
● Therapeutic Groups
Integrative Care
● Group and Family
Therapies in Clinical
Practice
● Complementary and
Alternative Therapies
Reading: Foundations of
Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing:
● Chapter 34 Therapeutic
Groups
● Chapter 35 Family
Interventions
Assignments:
Review questions Chap
34, 35, 36
Take Psychiatric/ Mental
Health Specialty Exam (1
attempt permitted)
● Chapter 36 Integrative
Care
HESI Specialty Exam
Prepare for HESI Exam
Week 14 (CO: 1-12)
Theory:
Final Exam
Assignments:
Reading:
Take Final Exam
Prepare for Final Exam by
reviewing the following
chapters:1-36
Review all medications on
syllabus
HESI Remediation is due
within ten days of
completing the Specialty
Exam
Week 15 (CO: 1-12)
Theory
Cumulative Final Exam
Assignments:
Review of Course
Concepts (Connecting
learning to the NCLEX
Test Plan)
Overview of what to
expect for next semester
Review HESI Report in class
HESI Remediation is due
within ten days of
completing the Specialty
Exam
Evaluate NCLEX readiness
Complete end of course
evaluation (Online)
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The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary and
will be announced. Individual instructor information is to be distributed at the beginning
of the course.
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