I. Course Title: Mental Health Nursing
II. Course Number: NURS 352
III. Credit Hours: 5 credits
IV. Prerequisites: Upper division standing
V. Course Description:
Development of nursing knowledge and skill for mental health promotion, protection,
and restoration.
VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:
The objectives and content of this course are derived from the School of Nursing’s
philosophy and conceptual framework and the AACN Essentials for Baccalaureate Education
for Professional Nursing Practice and facilitate the achievement of the program objectives.
These objectives represent content covered on standardized achievement examinations
and the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. Current research and advances in theory and practice also
determine course content.
Topical Outline:
Emphasis is placed on the following concepts and theories:
• Definitions of mental health/illness
• ANA Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nursing Practice
• Conceptual framework
• Cultural, legal, and ethical mental health issues
• Community-based mental health care
1. Psychiatric assessment
a. Psychiatric history
b. Mental status examination
c. DSM-5 classification
d. Suicide assessment and intervention
e. Violence assessment and intervention
f. Family assessment and intervention
2. Treatment modalities
a. Psychopharmacology and ECT
b. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
c. Group process and therapy
d. Crisis intervention
e. Therapeutic environment
3. Therapeutic relationships and communication
4. Mental health promotion strategies
a. Assertiveness
b. Self-awareness
c. Self-esteem
d. Support groups
e. Stress management
f. Relaxation techniques
g. Coping enhancement
h. Social support
5. Psychopathology and nursing interventions
a. Neurodevelopmental disorders
b. Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
c. Bipolar and related disorders
d. Depressive disorders
e. Anxiety disorders
f. Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
g. Trauma- and Stressor-related disorders
h. Dissociative disorders
i. Somatic symptom and related disorders
j. Feeding and eating disorders
k. Sexual dysfunctions
l. Gender dysphoria
m. Substance-related and addictive disorders
n. Neurocognitive disorders
o. Personality disorders
p. Paraphilic disorders
VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:
The following teaching strategies may be employed but may not be limited to:
Lectures, discussion, multimedia, web-based activities, case studies, small group
work, guided clinical practice, and lab experiences
VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Utilize knowledge from the arts and sciences to understand the impact of the patient’s
and their family’s perception of the health and illness experience.
2. Apply the nursing process to plan and deliver safe, efficient, and compassionate
patient care.
3. Provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions in the delivery of patient care.
4. Utilize professional terminology to communicate with other members of the health
care team.
5. Recognize the impact of health care policy and legislation upon professional nursing
practice and local, state, national, and global health.
6. Demonstrate understanding of roles and responsibilities of members of the health
care team.
7. Identify activities related to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
8. Demonstrate respect for others and accountability to won practice through the provision
of patient-centered care.
9. Apply nursing knowledge and skills within the context of the therapeutic nurse-patient
relationship.
VIII. Assessment Measures:
May include, but not limited to:
1. Exams; Quizzes
2. Paper
3. Project, Individual or Group
4. Nursing Process Project
5. Oral Presentations
6. Class Participation
Review and Approval
May 2001 Undergraduate Curriculum Janet Hardy Boettcher, Revision Director
February 2011, Kim Carter, Director
March 2021, Iris Mullins, Director