Professional practice in Mental Health for RN/RPN (PNRS 122)

This course is designed for Registered Nurses (RN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN) who wish to enhance their skills in working with clients experiencing mental health issues and their families.

This short course helps prepare for professional practice in mental health nursing through a discussion of the client within the context of the family and community. Scope of professional practice, roles and functions of the health care team and legal/ethical considerations are addressed. Assertive communication in professional practice and professional development are discussed.

RNs and RPNs may register for specific professional development purposes, or as part of the RN Mental Health Nursing or Psychiatric Nursing Refresher certificate programs. Students interested in completing a certificate program must apply for admission and be accepted into the program. Details of the required documents and program application forms are available on the program web page. Please note that a maximum of one course completed for professional development may be applied toward satisfaction of certificate program requirements.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• understand the scope of their professional practice;
• demonstrate effective communication skills in professional practice;
• utilize agency and community resources to promote mental health; and
• demonstrate self-awareness in relationships with individuals and their families in their professional practice.

$474.00 

Textbooks not included in tuition fee. Contact the Douglas College Bookstore for prices and ordering information.

Completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of “C” or proof of equivalent.

For course taken on a stand-alone basis:  proof of RPN license status and/or proof of RPN program completion with transcript or copy of diploma/degree.

Topics include:

• family and community in mental health nursing;
• scope of practice; legal and ethical issues;
  • assertive communication in professional practice; and
• professional development.

Austin & Boyd. Psychiatric Nursing for Canadian Practice

Available through the Douglas College Bookstore.

Interactive online course in Blackboard

Due to the nature of an online delivery, the student will be expected be proficient in computer skills including email, adding attachments, navigating the internet etc. Resources for getting started with Blackboard are available online to help get the student comfortable in the Blackboard environment.

• 3 written assignments

Minimum grade to pass is C (60%).

This course may be taken for professional development or as part of the RN Mental Health Nursing Certificate or Psychiatric Nursing Refresher Certificate programs.

To register, email cehs@douglascollege.ca with your registration request and proof of completion of the pre-requisite requirements.  You will then be prompted for payment to the CE Registration office, to finalize your registration. Payment of the tuition fee must accompany registration.

Instructions on how to access your course materials will be emailed to you by the Program Assistant within five (5) business days prior to your chosen course start date.