GREAT BASIN COLLEGE
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING PROGRAM
NURS 241 - NURSING PROCESS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE
FALL 2008
COURSE SYLLABUS
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Catalog Description: Uses the nursing process as a basis for establishing
therapeutic relationships and communications to promote adaptation in individuals
experiencing common, well-defined mental health problems throughout the lifespan.
3 Credits (Theory = 2 & Clinical = 1)
B. Instructor: Tamara (Tami) Gailey, MSN, RN
Office: 753-2004
Cell: (775) 934-7432
E-mail: tamarag@gwmail.gbcnv.edu
Office hours: To Be Announced
C. Schedule:
Theory:
Classroom:
Monday & Wednesday, 11:00 - 11:50 AM
Dates:
August 25 – December 3, 2008
Online: WebCampus (i.e. internet) access from home or school to download and
print course materials.
Clinical: Community based sites – Tuesday/Thursday*
* See clinical schedule.
II. COURSE GOAL
The goal of this course is to develop your ability to establish therapeutic relationships and
utilize appropriate communication skills when working with individuals of all ages in a
community based setting who are experiencing common, well-defined mental health
problems. To assist in this goal, the nursing process is used as a problem-solving method
for meeting the biopsychosocial needs of these individuals. Emphasis will be on the “use
of self” in therapeutic relationships as well as the GBC Conceptual Framework for
promoting positive adaptation throughout the lifespan.
Services for Students with Disabilities
GBC supports providing equal access for students with disabilities. An advisor is
available to discuss appropriate accommodations with students. Please contact the ADA
Officer (Julie Byrnes) in Elko at 775.753.2271 at your earliest convenience to request
timely and appropriate accommodations.
III. COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of NURS 241, the student will be able to:
As a Provider of Care:
1.
Apply the nursing process in responding to the health care needs of individuals
with psychiatric disorders (Implementation).
2.
Utilize knowledge of normal growth and development theory in the care of
clients with altered biopsycosocial states (Implementation).
3.
Compare and contrast major theoretical models that contribute to the
understanding of psychiatric patients and their behaviors (Analysis).
4.
Discuss the factors to assess when working with families or groups
(Assessment).
5.
Employ therapeutic communication techniques in establishing a caring,
supportive environment for individuals experiencing alterations in their adaptive
responses (Implementation).
6.
Discuss the impact of psychotropic drugs on psychiatric care (Assessment and
Evaluation).
7.
Describe the ethical, legal, social, and biological concerns related to special
treatment modalities (Analysis).
8.
Apply culturally appropriate interventions that assist the individual, family or
group in their adaptation to mental health issues (Implementation).
As a Teacher
9.
Provide information and instruction for the individual, family, or group utilizing
appropriate content and teaching strategies (Implementation).
As a Manager of Care
10.
Work in collaboration with other members of the mental
health care team in providing needed physical, emotional,
and/or social support to individuals, families and/or groups (Planning and
Implementation).
As a Future Member of the Profession
11.
Recognize the ethical, legal and professional role and
responsibilities of the Associate Degree nurse within the mental
health care setting (Analysis).
As an Advocate
12.
Serve as an advocate for individuals experiencing limited and/or
impaired cognitive functioning (Implementation).
IV. METHODOLOGY
This course is offered in the classroom including some tests and the comprehensive final exam.
Some tests will be taken via computer at the campus testing center. WebCampus is used by
students to download course materials including the syllabus, assignments, and required forms
and guidelines. All clinical experiences are in community-based facilities. Teaching methods
include lecture, discussion, in-class activities, a process recording, a journal/learning log with five
entries, a student self-assessment, required and optional videos, and community-based clinical
experiences including objectives and a student-evaluation for each.
V. TEXTBOOKS
Required (New books are bundled as one package at GBC Bookstore to reduce purchase price)
New Varcarolis, E.M., Carson, V.B., & Shoemaker, N.C. (2006). Foundations of Psychiatric
Mental Health Nursing – A Clinical Approach. (5th Ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Previously purchased
Schuster, P.M. (2002). Concept Mapping – A Critical-Thinking
Approach to Care Planning. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
Nursing Drug Guide
Allied Health Dictionary
VI. VIDEOS (Some required or suggested; optional preparation for tests, final exam, or
NCLEX)
History of Mental Health Care in the U.S.
Asylum – 60 min (Required)
Maintaining Boundaries
Crossing the Line: When Professional Boundaries Are Violated – 23 min (Required: suggest
viewing before clinicals begin)
Therapeutic Relationships & Therapeutic Communications (Required: Viewing one or more
before clinicals begin)
The Helping Interview series:
Basic Components, Helper Qualities, and Attending Skills, - 19 min
Opening, Questioning, and Use of Silence – 20 min
Responding and Closing – 20 min
Interactions for Study - 13 min
Peplau’s Theory of Interpersonal Relationships
The Nurse Theorists: Hildegard Peplau – 36 min
Psychotropic Medications
Psychotropic Medications series: (Required: Viewing at least 2 before clinical at Elko
Mental Health Clinic)
Assessment, Interventions, and Treatment – 27 min
Anxiety Disorders - 17 min
Bipolar Disorders – 14 min
Schizophrenia – 21 min
Depression – 21 min
Medication Issues in Mental Health series:
Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions – 25 min
Understanding Movement Disorders – 24 min
Schizophrenia (Suggest viewing one or more before clinical at Elko Mental Health Clinic)
The Brain: Madness - Schizophrenia - 60 min
Schizophrenia: Understanding the Disorder – 26 min
Schizophrenia: Effects on Daily Life – 28 min
Schizophrenia: The Community Response – 28 min
Mental Health Issues in the Acute Care Setting (Required: Viewing one or more before clinical
at Elko Mental Health Clinic)
Recognition and Assessment – 24 min
Effective Intervention Techniques – 25 min
Chemical Dependency (Required: Viewing at least 2 before clinical at Vitality Center)
12 Steps - 35 min
Substance Abuse series
Interview & Assessment - 22 min
Coping Mechanisms – 25 min
Treatment Modalities - 38 min (
Recovery & Prevention of Relapse - 21 min
Chemically Dependent Nurse series:
Identification and Response – 27 min
Nurse to Nurse: From Addiction to Recovery – 20 min
Methadone - 33 min
Mental Health Care for Children and Adolescents (Suggested viewing at least 2 at any time
during semester)
Childhood Depression - 19 min
Adolescent Treatment Approaches - 25 min
Autistic Children – 22 min
Mental Health Care for the Older Adult (Required viewing: view at least two before clinical at
BrightPath and Alzheimer’s Clinic))
The Cognitively Impaired Geriatric Patient (GP)
Characteristics of Behavior -20 min
Behavior Management & Support - 18 min
The Disruptive Geriatric Patient -17 min
A Late Frost
[On shelf with videos: Man’s Search for Meaning, inspirational book on coping with adversity;
written by an older psychiatrist imprisoned in a German concentration camp during World War II.]
Violence
Violence in Healthcare - 30 min
VII. EVALUATION
A. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all designated classes and be
present for clinical rotation. (See Student Handbook)
B. PARTICIPATION: You are expected to contribute to classroom activities. This
requires that you keep up with the assigned work, pacing yourself accordingly.
C. CONDUCT: Conduct within this course should be guided by common sense and
basic etiquette. If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person.

Utilize the communication skills you have learned.

Recognize that listening, observing and self-awareness are
essential in this course.

Remember confidentiality and the patient’s right to privacy
also exists in the community-based settings.

In sum: Be accountable, be professional and be openminded.
D. GRADING: Students must satisfactorily pass both the clinical and theory component
of NURS 241 in order to pass the course. Nursing students must maintain a final
course grade of C (i.e., 76% or better in the theory portion of the course and
satisfactory in the clinical portion) to remain in the nursing program.
VIII. SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING GRADING
Evaluation of your theoretical and clinical progress will be based on attendance and
participation, a process recording, a teaching presentation at Vitality Center, a poster
development and presentation in class, four tests, and a comprehensive final exam. All
tests and the final exam will be graded according to the following scale:
100-94 = A
93-90 = A –
89-87 = B +
86-84 = B
83-80 = B –
79-77 = C +
76-74 = C
73-70 = C –
69-67 = D +
66-64 = D
63-60 = D –
59 and below = F
All assignments are due on the date specified by the instructor. Late theory and clinical
assignments will be worth 50% of the actual grade. If an assignment is more than
one week late, a zero will be given for the assignment. Late assignments are required
to be completed and turned-in to the instructor. (See Student Nurse Handbook)
ASSIGNMENTS
Quiz and tests
GRADE
Possible Points
Exam 1
100 points
Exam 2
100 points
Exam 3
100 points
Exam 4
100 points
Exam 5
100 points
Final
100 points
Process Recording (due one week after clinical completed at Vitality Center)
VC Presentation (due second clinical day at Vitality Center)
Cinema Presentation (due when your specific topic is scheduled in lecture schedule)
Clinical Posts (16 points for each clinical experience—6 total)
Virtual Clinicals (5 @ 20pts each)
100 points
50 points
50 points
96 points
100 points
Total possible points
996 points
**There may be a possibility of additional clinical experiences lasting 1-2 hours, if these
experiences become available, the number of Virtual Clinicals will be decreased and the
Clinical Posts will be increased accordingly . You will be informed of these changes during
first week of class.
Attendance/Participation
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
In-class activities
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
***There will be no "extra credit" in this course, please don't ask.
IX. CLINICAL EVALUATION
Clinical evaluation is done mutually by student and instructor. Online discussion
following each clinical experience will be used to help determine your clinical standing
(see rubric). Actual clinical performance will be used to determine clinical competency.
Safe clinical practice and demonstration of personal and associate degree nursing
practice attributes are mandatory for progression in the program.
X. COURSE OUTLINE
See" Lecture Schedule"