Outline

Overview

This practice-focused unit of study is the second mental health nursing unit in the BN(AS) program and builds on the foundational knowledge and skills gained in NURS2009 Promoting Well-being and Mental Health. Using a scaffolded approach, this unit provides students with an opportunity to extend their understanding of mental health problems and to explore a range of complex mental health issues across the lifespan. The mental health needs of specific populations are explored, including infants, children, adolescents and older persons. Issues inherent to perinatal and maternal mental health are also examined. A focus on therapeutic approaches used in mental health, including specific individual and group evidence-based interventions, will provide students with the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in this area. The unit aims to strengthen students' fundamental knowledge and skills to ensure they are well equipped to provide evidence-based interventions and contribute to service developments that promote socially inclusive mental healthcare for individuals, families and communities. Comprehensive and holistic approaches that will be examined include recovery focused and supportive interventions, in which nurses partner with consumers to enable them to take control of their own mental health and wellbeing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	36 credit points of 1000 level units and NURS2004 or NURS2009
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	NURS2007
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sophie Isobel, sophie.isobel@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Assessment 5: Off-campus clinical placement Off-campus mental health clinical placement	0%	Multiple weeks	80 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Assessment 1: Early Feedback Task Early Feedback Task	0%	Week 02	Maximum 200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Assessment 2: Brief report Brief report	35%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3: Individual presentation Individual recorded presentation	40%	Week 09 Due date: 08 Oct 2025 at 23:59	8-10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Assessment 4: In-class Quiz Multiple Choice and Short Answer Quiz	25%	Week 12	50 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 Early Feedback Task: This task will be completed in tutorial time and will require you to submit an idea you may use for your brief report. The task aims to support early engagement with the unit content.

Assessment 2 Brief report: This assignment will require you to submit a written report reflecting on an experience from Clinical Placement and integrating academic literature to explore an issue relevant to mental health nursing.

Assessment 3 Individual presentation: This assignment will require you to watch a movie and submit a recorded individual presentation on a character experiencing mental illess. You will be required to apply frameworks from the unit content and integrate academic sources.

Assessment 4 In-Class Quiz: This assessment will require you to complete an in-class Quiz which uses multiple choice and short answer questions to test knowledge from across the unit including lectures, readings, tutorials and workshops.

Assessment 4 Clinical Placement: Off-Campus Clinical Placement

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items, and each submission needs to be of an assessable standard, in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Lectures: Psychotherapeutic approaches	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Lectures: Nursing documentation	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Tutorial: Personal Recovery	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Lectures: Community mental health care	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	Workshop: Nursing formulation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Lectures: Acute Mental Health care	Online class (2 hr)
Week 04	Workshop: Strengths-based approaches	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Lectures: Formulating distress	Online class (2 hr)
Week 05	Tutorial: Responding to suicidal crisis	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Lectures: Trauma Informed approaches	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	Tutorial: Awkward conversations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Lectures: Attachment and perinatal mental health	Online class (2 hr)
Week 07	Workshop: Documentation	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Lectures: Child and Youth Mental Health	Online class (2 hr)
Week 08	Workshop: Therapeutic activities	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Lectures: Working with families	Online class (2 hr)
Week 09	Tutorial: Medication side effects and ECT	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Lecture: Older people's mental health and ethics	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Tutorial: Working with families	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Lectures: Psychotherapies	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	Workshop: Window of Tolerance	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Tutorial: In-class Quiz	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Lectures: New Graduate experiences in Mental Health	Online class (2 hr)
Week 13	Tutorial: Revision and make-up Quiz (if required)	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: It is expected that all students participate and fully engage with this unit of study by attending all teaching-related activity (e.g. lectures, tutorials, laboratories, workshops), being prepared for tutorials and laboratories or workshops, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and professional manner.

In line with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) approved curriculum, students are required to attend a minimum of 90% of all tutorials and 100% of any clinical simulation laboratories or workshops, and should engage with lecture content synchronously or asynchronously, in line with delivery mode and timetable. Students who are absent for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, without permission or approval from the Unit of Study Coordinator, are likely to be deemed to have failed that unit of study.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Please note: Clinical placement is required to be completed within 8 months of the theoretical component or you will receive an absent fail for the Unit of Study, see:

Clinical Placement Provisions

10(7) Students who do not satisfactorily complete a unit specific clinical placement within eight months of completion of the theoretical component of the associated unit of study will receive an absent fail grade for the unit of study.

This means your non-attendance for this allocated placement will result in an Absent Fail grade for the unit. The rules relating to your degree are externally accredited by ANMAC so there is little flexibility, and these are designed to support application of theory to practice and ultimately patient safety.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
double line spacing
margins: 2.5cm each side
use page numbers
refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items, and each submission needs to be of an assessable standard, in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All required readings can be found on the NURS2010 Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. identify the mental health needs of specific populations across the lifespan, including perinatal and infant, children and adolescents, older persons, and incarcerated populations
LO2. search for, evaluate and critically discuss the evidence for psychotherapeutic approaches/ interventions in mental health care for people across the lifespan experiencing mental health challenges.
LO3. demonstrate and begin to apply knowledge and skills in care planning, nursing interventions, including the provision of individual and group therapeutic strategies
LO4. work with people with experience of mental health challenges and their families/carers and other health professionals in ways that demonstrate cultural competence, collaboration, inclusiveness, open-mindedness and integrity
LO5. apply key principles related to valuing individual experience, providing recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, strengths-focused care, and working collaboratively, in the practice of mental health nursing
LO6. further develop mental health nursing skills, specifically the provision of individual and group strategies with people experiencing mental health challenges and family/carers
LO7. demonstrate an understanding of the roles within the multidisciplinary mental health team, and the role that other government and non-government agencies play in the provision of mental health care

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 1. The mental health nurse acknowledges diversity in culture, values and belief systems and ensures his/her practice is nondiscriminatory, and promotes dignity and self-determination. Standard 4. The Mental Health Nurse collaboratively plans and provides ethically based care consistent with the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural needs of the individual.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 7. The Mental Health Nurse demonstrates evidence-based practice and actively promotes practice innovation through lifelong education, research, professional development, clinical supervision, and reflective practice.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 2. The Mental Health Nurse establishes collaborative partnerships that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to participate in all aspects of their care. Standard 3. The Mental Health Nurse develops a therapeutic relationship that is respectful of the individual’s choices, experiences, and circumstances. This involves building on strengths, holding hope and enhancing resilience to promote recovery.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 1. The mental health nurse acknowledges diversity in culture, values and belief systems and ensures his/her practice is nondiscriminatory, and promotes dignity and self-determination. Standard 3. The Mental Health Nurse develops a therapeutic relationship that is respectful of the individual’s choices, experiences, and circumstances. This involves building on strengths, holding hope and enhancing resilience to promote recovery. Standard 4. The Mental Health Nurse collaboratively plans and provides ethically based care consistent with the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural needs of the individual. Standard 6. The Mental Health Nurse actively pursues opportunities to reduce stigma and promotes social inclusion and community participation for all people with mental health issues.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 2. The Mental Health Nurse establishes collaborative partnerships that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to participate in all aspects of their care. Standard 5. The Mental Health Nurse values the contributions of other agencies and stakeholders in the collaborative provision of holistic, evidence-based care and in ensuring comprehensive service provision for people with mental health issues. Standard 6. The Mental Health Nurse actively pursues opportunities to reduce stigma and promotes social inclusion and community participation for all people with mental health issues.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 2. The Mental Health Nurse establishes collaborative partnerships that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to participate in all aspects of their care. Standard 3. The Mental Health Nurse develops a therapeutic relationship that is respectful of the individual’s choices, experiences, and circumstances. This involves building on strengths, holding hope and enhancing resilience to promote recovery.
	Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - Standard 5. The Mental Health Nurse values the contributions of other agencies and stakeholders in the collaborative provision of holistic, evidence-based care and in ensuring comprehensive service provision for people with mental health issues. Standard 8. The Mental Health Nurse’s practice incorporates and reflects common law requirements, relevant statutes and the nursing profession’s code of conduct and ethics. The Mental Health Nurse integrates international, national, local and state policies and guidelines with professional Standards and competencies.

Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1		Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
1.1		Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
1.2		Develops practice through reflection on experiences, knowledge, actions, feelings and beliefs to identify how these shape practice
1.3		Respects all cultures and experiences, which includes responding to the role of family and community that underpin the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of other cultures
1.4		Complies with legislation, common law, policies, guidelines and other standards or requirements relevant to the context of practice when making decisions
2		Standard 2: Engages in therapeutic and professional relationships
2.1		Establishes, sustains and concludes relationships in a way that differentiates the boundaries between professional and personal relationships
2.2		Communicates effectively, and is respectful of a person’s dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights
2.3		Recognises that people are the experts in the experience of their life
2.4		Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
4.1		Conducts assessments that are holistic as well as culturally appropriate
4.2		Uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
5		Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice
5.1		Uses assessment data and best available evidence to develop a plan
5.3		Documents, evaluates and modifies plans accordingly to facilitate the agreed outcomes
6.1		Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.2		Practises within their scope of practice
6.5		Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation

Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
Standard 1		The mental health nurse acknowledges diversity in culture, values and belief systems and ensures his/her practice is nondiscriminatory, and promotes dignity and self-determination.
Standard 2		The Mental Health Nurse establishes collaborative partnerships that facilitate and support people with mental health issues to participate in all aspects of their care.
Standard 3		The Mental Health Nurse develops a therapeutic relationship that is respectful of the individual’s choices, experiences, and circumstances. This involves building on strengths, holding hope and enhancing resilience to promote recovery.
Standard 4		The Mental Health Nurse collaboratively plans and provides ethically based care consistent with the mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural needs of the individual.
Standard 8		The Mental Health Nurse’s practice incorporates and reflects common law requirements, relevant statutes and the nursing profession’s code of conduct and ethics. The Mental Health Nurse integrates international, national, local and state policies and guidelines with professional Standards and competencies.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The content has been refined, new interactive workshops developed and timing of assessments adjusted.

Additional information

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

NURS2010: Clinical Practice in Mental Health

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links