Clinical Practice I

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
Yes
Course code
PNUR 1261
Descriptive
Clinical Practice I
Department
Nursing - Psychiatric
Faculty
Health Sciences
Credits
5.00
Start date
End term
201930
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
8
Contact hours
13.5 hours
Method(s) of instruction
Clinical
Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities.  Learning activities occur in nursing practice settings, group discussion, and self-study.  Nursing practice experience provides students with opportunities to apply knowledge and use skills related to psychiatric nursing within a holistic context.  Critical reflection through journal writing, practice appraisal and participation in clinical seminars will allow exploration and integration of nursing theory promoting self-directed learning. 

Course description
Students will have opportunities to apply and integrate psychiatric and medical knowledge and skills in caring for individuals experiencing ongoing health challenges in mental health and medical settings. This course introduces the student to the psychiatric nursing role. Students will focus on developing self-awareness. Students will begin to assess and set priorities to organize care with individuals in the context of family and groups. Clinical Group Discussions will assist with the integration of concepts and issues related to the clinical practice setting.
Course content

In this course, within the context of the Douglas College Department of Psychiatric Nursing’s Philosophy and Conceptual Framework, students will focus on developing the psychiatric nursing role and promoting health in clients with ongoing health challenges in a variety of medical and mental health care setting.  Students will have opportunities to apply knowledge of psychiatric nursing concepts and skills and to establish nurse-client relationships within caring environments.  Evidence based practice is integrated throughout seven areas of competency.  Specific areas of practice that will be addressed are:

  1. Therapeutic Relationships and Therapeutic Use of Self
  2. Body of Knowledge and Application
  3. Collaborative Practice
  4. Advocacy
  5. Quality Care and Client Safety
  6. Health Promotion
  7. Ethical, Professional and Legal Responsibilities
Learning outcomes

In this course the student will use the Douglas College Department of Psychiatric Nursing Curricular Threads (Wellness-Illness Continuum, Professional Values, Professional Caring, and Health Care Delivery System) Concepts (crisis, comfort, hope, loss, power, resiliency, integrity) and Variables (Client System, Psychological Variable, Physiological Variable, Sociocultural Variable, Spiritual Variable, Developmental Variable) to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes related to nursing theory and research, therapeutic relationships, clinical practices, and pharmacological interventions when caring for the persons, families, and groups experiencing ongoing health challenges.  It is the intent of this course to integrate knowledge and skills from the previous and current semester.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy.  An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a mastery course.

Textbook materials

A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.

Prerequisites