Course Description
In this course the learner will understand the roles and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse working with children and adolescents. Learners will continue to develop their understanding and application of the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework and the curricular threads (wellness-illness continuum, professional values, professional caring & health care delivery system). Additionally, within the context of the environment, health and psychiatric nursing domains, learners will integrate the care of the person domain (client system, psychological, physiological, sociocultural, spiritual & developmental variables) for children and adolescents experiencing severe emotional disturbances. The course is designed to develop student knowledge and skill in prevention, assessment and treatment of mental health issues experienced by children and adolescents and their families. Topics will include several classifications of mental disorders seen in children and youth including anxiety disorders, trauma and stress related disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, conduct disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders. Clinical symptoms, classification, epidemiology, the developmental progression of a disorder, causal hypotheses, risk factors and prevention as well as pharmacology will be considered. Evidenced-informed preventions and interventions will be discussed for each disorder as well as skills in assessing and interviewing the child and adolescent.
Course Content
Normal Child and Youth Development
Theoretical Perspectives
- Developmental Theory
- Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework
- Brofenbrenner's Ecological System's Theory
- Family Theory
- Attachment Theory
Nurse’s Role in Child and Youth Mental Health and Ethical Considerations
- Mental Health Act
- Infant’s Act
- Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Trauma Informed Care and Engagement Model
Classification, Assessment and Treatment
- Risk and Resilience
- The Impact of Labels
- The Child and Parent Interview
- HEADDS interview
Specific Learning Disorder
Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
- Separation Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobia
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive and related disorders
Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
- Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Adjustment Disorders
Psychosis in Children and Adolescents
- Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders
- Substance/Medication –Induced Psychotic Disorder
- Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI)
Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents
- Depressive Disorders
- Bipolar and Related Disorders
Self Injury
Youth Suicide
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
Learning Activities
Students will acquire knowledge and skill and learn to apply concepts through a variety of means of instruction and activities, including: lecture, online discussions, audio-visual aids, case studies, critical thinking exercises and teamwork.
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 graded course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course the learner will be able to:
- assess attitudes, knowledge & skills needed in clinical psychiatric nursing practice to care for the children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges and/or disorders
- assess attitudes, knowledge & skills needed in clinical psychiatric nursing practice to care for the children and adolescents experiencing neurodevelopmental challenges and/or disorders.
- explain the theory and principles related to identification, screening and assessment of challenges specific to children and adolescents utilizing the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework
Apply Systems Theory to Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing
- analyze key concepts of the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework in relation to child and adolescent mental health challenges/disorders.
- analyze the developmental variable as it relates to children and adolescents through a review of the individual and family systems.
- integrate common theories related to growth and development of children and adolescents into the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework
- identify theories and causes of child and adolescent mental health challenges /disorders.
- identify contributing factors and etiology of selected mental health disorders in children and adolescents.
- identify theories and causes of child and adolescent neurodevelopmental challenges/disorders.
- identify contributing factors and etiology of selected neurodevelopmental challenges/disorders in children and adolescents.
- formulate psychiatric nursing diagnoses and goal statements based on nursing analysis
- develop psychiatric nursing interventions focused on primary, secondary and tertiary intervention levels of prevention
Systematically Assess and Analyze a Child and Adolescent at Risk for Mental Health Disorders
- Explore the differences in conducting assessment for children/adolescents in comparison to the adult individual based on the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework
- describe selected standardized tools for child and adolescent assessment.
- describe and define selected mental health and developmental disorders challenges/disorders in children and adolescents.
Analyze the Psychiatric Nurse’s Role in Family Assessment Strategies
- analyze personal characteristics, skills, and readiness for providing comprehensive mental health care for children and adolescents experiencing mental health and developmental challenges/disorders.
- identify key principles and techniques related to child and adolescent assessment and intervention strategies.
- analyze the role of psychiatric nursing in child and adolescent mental health interventions.
Textbook Materials
All assigned readings and materials are provided online.
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.