University of Technology, Jamaica

College of Health Sciences

Caribbean School of Nursing, UTech
NUR 3001: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing
Semester I, Year III, 2013
General Objectives for Clinical Observational Visits
MODULE DESCRIPTION
This module focuses on individuals and families throughout the lifespan who are experiencing
varying states of mental health. The environmental influences affecting the mental health of the
individual are examined within the context of the family and/or community. The nurse/patient
relationship is emphasized as the foundation for communication and therapeutic nursing
interventions. Collaboration with other health team members and/or community resources is
explored as a way to address the needs of the individual and family using various treatment
modalities. Students will visit the Bellevue Hospital; Richmond Fellowship; Ferdies House;
School of Hope; Child Guidance Clinics and Golden Age Home and are expected to apply the
knowledge gained to patient situations in the clinical settings during the clinical practicum.
Students at the end of this rotation will also be expected to present a care study on a selected
patient from the Bellevue Hospital.
At the end of the clinical visits, the students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Demonstrate knowledge of common mental health disorders.

Demonstrate an understanding of Psychotherapy and Counselling & Rehabilitation
Identify presenting signs and symptoms of various mental illnesses.
Conduct a mental status examination on at least one mentally ill client.
Evaluate the treatment and management of mentally ill clients in various settings giving
consideration to legal and ethical issues of care.
6. Identify mental health promotion strategies used in rendering care to individuals affected
by mental illness across the life cycle.
7. Apply therapeutic communication as an intervention strategy with clients/families and
colleagues.
8. Apply theories and concepts related to mental health in providing care for diverse
individuals, families, and communities.
9. Identify alternative health care beliefs and practices in the treatment of the mentally ill
10. Utilize the nursing process to develop a plan of care for a mentally ill client along varying
stages of the life cycle.
11. Adheres to University and Nursing Council codes and standards of conduct.

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
CARIBBEAN SCHOOL OF NURSING, UTech
COURSEWORK FOR OBSERVATIONAL VISIT
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
DATE GIVEN:
DATE DUE:

NURSING CARE STUDY VALUE: 100 MARKS (25%)

27/08/2013
01/11/2013

PURPOSE: To assist students in developing critical thinking skills and competence in using the
nursing process and the techniques involved in the mental health assessment of the psychiatric
patient.

OBJECTIVE:
Utilize the nursing process to care for clients experiencing mental health problems along the
health-illness continuum and across the lifespan.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
This written assignment should be done on the forms provided. Use 8 x 11 white paper, typing
on one side only. Leave a 1 margin at each side and bottom of the page. Number each page. All
references used must be cited and listed correctly using the American Psychological Association
(APA) 6th edition format.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
Each student upon visiting the Bellevue Hospital will select a client with a psychiatric condition
of interest that will be covered in the module. The student will collect a health history, inclusive
of a mental health assessment of the client and complete the required forms. The student will
then develop a nursing care plan, identifying three (3) priority nursing diagnoses. All the
components of the care plan must be in congruence with each other.