> Kwantlen Polytechnic University > Calendar > Course Descriptions > Psychiatric Nursing

This is an ARCHIVED version of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar for 2008-2009 (SPRING) and is provided for historical reference only. See the current version of the Calendar for updated information.

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Psychiatric Nursing

PSYN 1100    CR-5

Individuals and Their Health

Students will explore the personal meaning of health. They will complete health assessments, and counsel individuals on health maintenance in the practice setting. Students will examine select theoretical and conceptual frameworks addressing caring, mental health, and the role of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in working with individuals. They will explore the individual’s experience of health and how it’s affected by social determinants.

Corequisites: ENGL 1100 and PSYC 1100 and BIOL 1160

PSYN 1200 CR-5

Families and Their Health : Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing

Students will recognize the effects of mental health challenges in the individual and the family. They will apply psychiatric nursing interventions guided by nursing theories and the lived experience of families.

Prerequisites: PSYN 1100

Corequisites: ANTH 1100 and BIOL 1260 and three credits of 1200-level ENGL

PSYN 2100 CR-6.5

Groups and Their Health: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

Students will examine roles, relationships, challenges, and interventions for groups. They will apply select theories of group dynamics in co-leading small heterogeneous and homogeneous groups composed of persons experiencing mental health challenges. Students will experience the role of the RPN in working through stages such as forming, norming, storming and performing.

Prerequisites: PSYN 1200

PSYN 2120 CR-3

Pharmacology and Other Therapeutics: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing

Students will learn pharmacodynamics: generic and trade names of medications, formulary drugs, non-formulary drugs, alternative and complementary therapies. They will practice safe medication administration including preparing and administering drugs, and assessing responses to medications and other therapeutics in simulations.

Prerequisites: PSYN 1200

PSYN 2200 CR-7

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing: Acute Care as Community

Students will apply select theories to maintain, restore, or improve the health of people in acute care communities, They will assess these communites using both a needs assessment and a community development model to faciltitate informed health care desision-making. Students will apply knowledge of acute health care challenges and use  nusing assessment and intervention skills in caring for indivduals in a community context.

Prerequisites: PSYN 2100 and 2120 

PSYN 3100 CR-7

Community Health: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Students will apply community development models working with communities to maintain, restore, or improve the health of people in communities.  They will have practice in a variety of communities where psychiatric and mental health needs can be addressed.

Prerequisites: PSYN 2200 and PSYN 2220 for general students only) or (CAHS 3500 or NRSG 3190 for RPN's only)

PSYN 3120 CR-3

 Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing:Health Care Economics, Leadership and Management

Students will explore theory of basic economics and management with a focus on health care in Canada. They will develop leadership skills, group facilitation talents, and basic business planning and budget preparation. Students will work with an agency and will propose creative financial solutions to health care that maintains quality of care. They will integrate conflict resolution models, develop an understanding of working with unions, and be introduced to policy analysis. Students will also utilize nursing informatics.

Prerequisites: PSYN 2200


PSYN 3200 CR-7

Global Problems and Health

Students will apply concepts and theories to address health challenges related to crises and environmental factors.  They will examine the relationship between environment and health including epidemiological analysis, policy, and assessment on a local and global level. Students will work with a community on an identified crisis and/or environmental health issue.

Prerequisites: PSYN 3100 and WOMN 3100

PSYN 3220  CR-2

Issues in Mental Health Nursing

Students will use critical social theory to explore current issues and societal trends associated with the oppression of people experiencing mental health issues.  They will explore the role of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in relation to these issues and societal trends.

Prerequisites: PSYN 3100  and WOMN 3100

PSYN 4100 CR-7

Capstone Course: Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing

Students will collaborate with peers to suggest course content based on course concepts and self-identified learning needs. They will practice in a variety of clinical settings to integrate learning from previous nursing and non-nursing courses. Students will apply advanced nursing skills in counseling, psychotherapy, and case management as they work with individuals, families and groups.

Prerequisites: PSYN 3200

Corequisites: LBED 4210 and SOCI 2345

PSYN 4200 CR-10

Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing: Preceptorship

Students will participate in a Preceptorship of their choice, based on availability of preferred placements. They will increase knowledge and skills to develop independence and confidence as a practitioner in the field of psychiatric/mental health nursing.

Prerequisites: PSYN 4100