School of Nursing
NURS 3335 Mental Health Nursing
** PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SYLLABUS IS A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE WITH ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION TO BE ADDED BY WEEK ONE OF THE SPRING TERM.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on the physiological and psychological aspects of the
mental health related to acute and chronic health problems across the lifespan. The role of the
professional nurse in health promotion and illness prevention are key components. Emphasis is placed
on the mental health milieu that exists in both the hospital and community setting.
CREDIT: 3 Credit hours
PROGRAM LEVEL II
TEXTBOOKS:
Varcarolis, E. M., Carson, V. B., & Shoemaker, N. C. (2010) Foundations of psychiatric mental
health nursing: A clinical approach. (6th Edition) St. Louis: Elsevier.
Recommended:
American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (6th Edition). Washington, DC: Author. (this can be obtained online or hard copy, just
must have access to it.
Nursing Practice Act Nursing Peer Review, Nurse License Compact and Advanced
Practice Registered Nurse Compact (2007). (current one obtained from State Board of Nursing)
Course Coordinator: Deborah S. Ginbey, RN, MSN, MA
Clinical Instructor(s): TBA
COURSE OUTLINE
UNIT I FOUNDATIONS IN THEORY
Chapter 1 Mental Health and Mental Illness
Chapter 2 Relevant Theories and Therapies for Nursing Practice
Chapter 3 Biological Basis for Understanding Psychotropic Drugs
UNIT II FOUNDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Chapter 4 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing in Acute Care Settings
Chapter 5 Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing in Community Settings
Chapter 6 Cultural Implications for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Chapter 7 Legal and Ethical Guidelines for Safe Practice
UNIT III PSYCHOSOCIAL NURSING TOOLS
Chapter 8 The Nursing Process and Standards of Care for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Chapter 9 Therapeutic Relationships
Chapter 10 Communication and the Clinical Interview
Chapter 11 Understanding Responses to Stress
UNIT IV PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL DISORDERS
Chapter 12 Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders
Chapter 13 Depressive Disorders
Chapter 14 Bipolar Disorders
Chapter 15 Schizophrenia
Chapter 16 Eating Disorders
Chapter 17 Cognitive Disorders
Chapter 18 Addictive Disorders
Chapter 19 Personality Disorders
Chapter 20 Sleep Disorders
Chapter 21 Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Disorders
Chapter 22 Somatoform, Factitious, and Dissociative Disorders
UNIT V TRAUMA INTERVENTIONS
Chapter 23 Crisis and Disaster
Chapter 24 Suicide
Chapter 25 Anger, Aggression, and Violence
Chapter 26 Child, Older Adult, and Intimate Partner Abuse
Chapter 27 Sexual Assault
UNIT VI INTERVENTIONS FOR SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Chapter 28 Disorders of Children and Adolescents
Chapter 29 Psychosocial Needs of the Older Adult
Chapter 30 Serious Mental Illness
Chapter 31 Psychological Needs of Patients with Medical Conditions
Chapter 32 Care for the Dying and for Those Who Grieve
Chapter 33 Forensic Psychiatric Nursing
UNIT VII OTHER INTERVENTION MODALITIES
Chapter 34 Therapeutic Groups
Chapter 35 Family Interventions
Chapter 36 Integrative Care
**A DETAILED WEEKLY SCHEDULE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS AND
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE POSTED UNDER COURSE CONTENT IN THE MENU EACH
WEEK. IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS,
HOMEWORK AND EXAMS.
Mental Health Course Weekly Schedule
PLEASE REFER TO WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS IN COURSE MENU FOR MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION
*DOWNLOAD THE ATI MENTAL HEALTH MODULE (ONLINE TEXT) TO
SUPPLEMENT THE READINGS IN THIS COURSE!!
Week
Week 1
Date
Assigned Reading
Read Announcement page and follow instructions
Download, print, and read the syllabus
Week 2
Go to Week 1 under Course Content Weekly Assignments and read
instructions
ATI instructions will be provided during Week 3
Continue reading Chapters TBA
Week 3
Exam 1: WEDNESDAY
Begin reading Chapters TBA
Week 4
Cont. reading assignment; work on ATI
Week 5
Exam 2: WEDNESDAY
Week 6
Begin reading Chapters TBA
Continue with reading assignment
ATI Proctored Exam 1st attempt during clinical *date TBA
Week 7
Exam 3 WEDNESDAY
Begin Reading Ch 17, TBA
Week 8
Continue with reading assignment
Week 9
Exam 4 (Wednesday)
Week 10
Week 11
Study for final exam – instructions to follow
Final Exam COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM DAY TBA
* All contents and schedules for this course are subject to change during the
term. The Instructor will inform students of changes as soon as possible.
THE INSTRUCTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THIS DOCUMENT WHEN
NEEDED BY GIVING REASONABLE NOTICE TO THE STUDENTS.