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NSC314

Mental Health And Psychiatric Nursing I

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of mental health and psychiatric nursing. It explores the dimensions of health, mental health, and psychiatry, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being. Students will learn about mental hygiene, adjustment mechanisms, and factors affecting mental health. The course also covers mental illnesses, their signs and symptoms, classification, and effective management strategies, including stress management and coping mechanisms. Additionally, it examines personality disorders and current trends in mental health care.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
156 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Computer Marked Assignments
  • Laboratory Practical Sessions
  • Final Examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of NSC314, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

NSC314 · MODULE 1

In this module you will learn the basic concepts in mental health and psychiatry, and you will be able to identify those factors that promote mental health.

What you should be able to do

  1. Apply concepts in mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  2. Describe current issues and trends of care in mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  3. Discuss different coping mechanisms the clients use in the management of stress and anxiety.
  4. Discuss the signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders.
  5. Discuss personality and common personality disorders.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Psychiatric Nurse
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Community Health Nurse
  • Mental Health Technician
  • Addiction Counselor
Where it is applied
  • Hospitals
  • Mental Health Clinics
  • Rehabilitation Centers
  • Community Health Organizations
  • Correctional Facilities

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Mental Illness

    Unit 3: Classification of mental disorders

    Requires understanding of complex diagnostic criteria and differentiation between various mental disorders.

  • Module 4: Personality and Personality Disorders

    Unit 2 Personality disorders

    Requires understanding of various personality types and their effect on human behavior.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 43 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
    • Unit 1: Concepts in Mental Health and Psychiatry · 2 hours

      Read the introduction to mental health and psychiatry.. Understand the concept of health and its dimensions.. Define mental health and its importance..

    • Unit 2: Mental Health, Hygiene and Adjustment Mechanism · 2 hours

      Explore the meaning of mental health and hygiene.. Identify factors affecting mental health.. Understand the concept of maladjustment..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing
    • Unit 3: Characteristics of Mental Health · 2 hours

      List the characteristics of positive mental health.. Discuss the factors in the maintenance of emotional health.. Examine yourself to see how many attributes you possess..

    • Unit 4: Current Issues and Trends of Care in Mental Health · 2 hours

      Identify changes that affect the functions of mental health and psychiatric nurses.. List the mental health and psychiatric nursing skills.. Explain the standards of mental health nursing..

  3. Week 3Module 2: Mental Illness
    • Unit 1: Mental Illness · 3 hours

      Differentiate between mental health and mental illness.. Discuss the classification systems for mental illness.. Describe the general aetiology and manifestations of mental illness..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Mental Illness
    • Unit 2: General signs and symptoms of mental disorders · 3 hours

      List the general signs and symptoms of mental illness.. Explain at least four general signs and symptoms of mental illness.. List the various examinations that can be made on a mentally ill patient..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Mental Illness
    • Unit 3: Classification of mental disorders · 3 hours

      Explain the systems of classification of mental disorders.. Name each of the five axes in the DSM.. Compare key similarities and differences of the DSM and ICD..

  6. Week 6Module 3: Stress Management and Coping Mechanism
    • Unit 1: Stress and stress management · 3 hours

      Define stress and its impact on mental health.. State the causes of stress.. Discuss the responses to stress..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Stress Management and Coping Mechanism
    • Unit 2: Coping strategies and defence mechanisms · 3 hours

      Distinguish between coping strategies and defense mechanisms.. Identify the major types of coping strategies and describe how each operates.. List the different types of defense mechanisms..

  8. Week 8Module 4: Personality and Personality Disorders
    • Unit 1 Personality · 3 hours

      Describe personality and its role in mental health.. List the principles of personality development.. Discuss various theories of personality development..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Personality and Personality Disorders
    • Unit 2 Personality disorders · 3 hours

      Identify personality trait disturbances.. Explain the personality pattern disturbances.. Discuss the management of personality disturbances..

  10. Week 10Module 4: Personality and Personality Disorders
    • Unit 3 Borderline personality disorder · 3 hours

      Describe borderline personality disorder.. State the manifestations of borderline personality disorder.. Enumerate other illnesses co-occurring with borderline personality disorder..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Personality and Personality Disorders
    • Unit 4 Antisocial Personality disorder · 3 hours

      Describe an individual with antisocial personality disorder.. Explain the aetiological theories of antisocial personality disorders.. Carry out an assessment of a client with antisocial personality disorder..

  12. Week 12Final Revision
    • Final Revision · 4 hours

      Review all modules. Prepare for assignments. Participate in group discussions.

  13. Week 13Final Revision
    • Final Revision · 4 hours

      Complete all assignments. Prepare for final examinations. Review difficult topics.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review key concepts and definitions from each unit.
  • Create flashcards for important terms and disorders.
  • Practice case studies to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
  • Focus on understanding the diagnostic criteria for various mental illnesses.
  • Develop effective stress management techniques to maintain focus during the exam.

Questions students ask about this course

What is NSC314 about?

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of mental health and psychiatric nursing. It explores the dimensions of health, mental health, and psychiatry, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being. Students will learn about mental hygiene, adjustment mechanisms, and factors affecting mental health. The course also covers mental illnesses, their signs and symptoms, classification, and effective management strategies, including stress management and coping mechanisms. Additionally, it examines personality disorders and current trends in mental health care.

How many units does NSC314 have?

NSC314, Mental Health And Psychiatric Nursing I, has 56 units across 4 modules, over 217 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is NSC314?

NSC314 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Health Sciences.

Is NSC314 hard?

NSC314 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does NSC314 take to study?

About 156 hours of study, spread across its 56 units.

How is NSC314 assessed?

NSC314 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments, Computer Marked Assignments, Laboratory Practical Sessions and Final Examination.

What can I do with NSC314?

Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Counselor, Community Health Nurse, Mental Health Technician and Addiction Counselor.

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