Foundations of Specialist Mental Health Nursing

Postgraduate | 2026

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area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
NURS 5063
Course ID icon
Course ID
207786
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
12
Course level icon
Course level
5
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

This course will advance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of registered nurses to provide evidence-based mental health nursing care consistent with contemporary recovery principles Contemporary Mental Health theory and practice; legal and ethical aspects of mental health care; therapeutic engagement and trauma informed care; strengths-based perspectives and solution focused care; professional boundaries; mental illness symptoms and diagnosis including serious mental illness; mental health assessment and risk assessment, suicide management and prevention; de-escalation; person-centred care and recovery, support networks and carers; cultural competence; and reflective practice and self-care; psychopharmacology; standards of mental health nursing

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of mental health, illness, and describe associated symptoms
  • Critically evaluate ethical and legal practices as they relate to the provision of mental health nursing care
  • Conduct a comprehensive evidence based mental health and risk assessment
  • Develop a person centred care plan with a recovery focus for clients with specific mental health conditions/illnesses
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the early signs of deterioration in a person's mental health and describe associated early intervention strategies
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of contemporary standards of mental health nursing
  • Critically reflect on the values and attitudes required to promote a positive workplace culture in the provision of mental health care

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A