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Unit of study_

NURS5064: Mental Health Nursing in Context

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Block mode] - Mallett Street, Sydney

Understandings of mental health and wellbeing and the contexts in which health care practices occur, are variously informed and shaped by sociocultural, political and economic factors and diverse research evidence. Competing healthcare agendas and powerful paradigms have important implications for mental health nursing practice. This unit will assist students to extend their knowledge and envisage possibilities for their nursing practice, by critically examining and discussing the evidence and external factors that influence contemporary models of mental health care. Students will be challenged to evaluate the prominence and impacts of biomedical models, to explore more participatory frameworks for practice, and to consider humanistic ways of working with individuals and their networks that are recovery-oriented and resource promoting.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS5064
Academic unit Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Andrea McCloughen, andrea.mccloughen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Assessment 2: Critical Reflections x 4
Written assessment
20% Multiple weeks 500 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Assessment 1: Critical discussion essay
Written assessment
40% Week 05
Due date: 31 Aug 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Assignment hurdle task Assessment 3: Case study
Written assessment
40% Week 13
Due date: 02 Nov 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Ass1 – Critical discussion essay: Drawing on the evidence base, and relevant literature incorporating both professional and lived experience expertise, critically discuss one of the following approaches and how it challenges the prevailing biomedical paradigm: trauma-informed approach, open dialogue approach,  family-focused approach or strengths-based approach.
  • Ass 2 – Reflections x 4: During the semester you will undertake four reading activities that will facilitate your critical reflection  and examination of specific areas of service provision and nursing practice, in relation to your own work context. You will submit a  response to four specific questions related to readings that will be made available on Canvas.
  • Ass 3 – Case study: You will write a summary case study of a person experiencing mental health issues, who you have provided care for/worked with (currently or previously) in a mental health setting. You will evaluate, and then discuss, the person’s care and treatment in the context of the recovery model.
  • 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.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 03 STUDY DAY 1 - Monday 17 August. Module 1: Frameworks for mental health care and sociopolitical influences to practice. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1
STUDY DAY 2 - Tuesday 18 August. Module 1: Approaches to mental health care and sociopolitical influences to practice. Module 3: Nurses contributions to the experiences of people and their networks. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 STUDY DAY 3 - Monday 21 September. Module 2: The experiences of people and their networks. Block teaching (6 hr) LO3
STUDY DAY 4 - Tuesday 22 September. Module 2: The experiences of people and their networks. Module 3: Nurses contributions to experiences of people and their networks. Block teaching (6 hr) LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend four study days (two delivered remotely and two on-campus) which are supplemented with online and individual learning activities.
  • Referencing guide: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style.  This is an author-date style of referencing.

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

There is no recommended textbook for this unit.

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. articulate and critically evaluate the diversity of socio-political, professional, and organisational impacts on mental health service provision, and the influence of biomedical and psychosocial approaches on the experience and delivery of mental health care
  • LO2. analyse and synthesise knowledge of recovery-orientated frameworks and democratic, person-centred and resource promoting ways of working, and integrate this into interdisciplinary planning and communication, and collaborative mental health nursing practice with people experiencing mental health issues, and their support networks
  • LO3. locate, analyse, and synthesise contemporary interdisciplinary evidence and lived experience/subjective perspectives, to critically discuss therapeutic approaches to mental health care and nursing practice.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - ACMHN
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 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.
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.
LO2
Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - ACMHN
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 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.
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.
LO3
Standards of Practice for Australian Mental Health Nurses - ACMHN
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 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.

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

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

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