Practicum/Preceptorship: 360 hours/15 weeks
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities. Learning activities occur in classrooms and psychiatric nursing practice settings. Psychiatric 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 and practice appraisal will allow exploration and integration of psychiatric nursing concepts, issues, and trends impacting the profession of psychiatric nursing.
In this course, within the context of the Douglas College Psychiatric Nursing Philosophy and Conceptual Framework, students will focus on developing the psychiatric nursing role and promoting health with client systems (individuals, families, groups, & communities) experiencing episodic, ongoing and complex health challenges in a variety of mental health care settings. Primary health care concepts, health promotion, and best practices in mental health are delineated for clinical focus areas of psychiatric nursing practice. Students will assume professional psychiatric nursing leadership roles in working as a member of the interprofessional health teams and inter-sector health care services. Students will have opportunities to apply specialized knowledge of psychiatric nursing concepts, research, health care delivery systems to client populations.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- apply the Douglas College Department of Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework to psychiatric nursing practice
- demonstrate clinical judgement in the application of knowledge acquired in the program courses to psychiatric nursing practice
- demonstrate integration of theoretical concepts and psychiatric nursing skills
- apply nursing research findings in psychiatric nursing practice
- demonstrate the use of systems resources in the delivery of psychiatric nursing services
- analyze own role as a psychiatric nurse in the practicum
- differentiate own role from that of other members of the inter-disciplinary team
- demonstrate use of foundational and advanced therapeutic communications skills with client systems
- demonstrate knowledge and application of clinical practice skills
- demonstrate the ability to identify personal learning needs and develop a plan to meet those needs
- develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion plans for populations in selected clinical focus areas
- critique own clinical practice performance
This course builds on the knowledge and skills from the previous semesters. Evidence-informed practice is integrated throughout seven areas of competency. Students must achieve an expected level of competency based on learning outcomes met with minimal supervison from preceptor. Specific competency areas that will be addressed are:
-
Therapeutic Relationships and Therapeutic Use of Self
-
Body of Knowledge and Application
-
Collaborative Practice
-
Advocacy
-
Quality Care and Client Safety
-
Health Promotion
-
Ethical, Professional and Legal Responsibilities
Assessment is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a mastery course.
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.