District Syllabus
NUR1511
Mental Health Nursing I


Credit Hours: 1
Contact Hours: 1
Laboratory Fee: $20
Prerequisites: NUR1020C Introduction To Nursing
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Catalog Description: This is an introductory course designed for beginning nursing students to develop knowledge and skills with concepts such as: therapeutic environment, therapeutic communication, therapeutic relationships and additional foundations for safe and effective care. Studies will encompass legal and ethical issues of the nurse, including Florida Statutes and the concept of professional boundaries.
Required Materials: Books:
  • Potter, R.A. & Perry, A.G.. Fundamentals of Nursing, 8th ed., Elsevier-Mosby, 2012. ISBN: 9780323079334
  • Varcarolis, E.M. & Halter, M.J.. Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 2nd ed., Saunders-Elsevier, 2013. ISBN: 9781455706617
Supplemental Materials: Books:
  • Varcarolis, E.M.. Manuel of Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans, 4th ed., Saunders-Elsevier, 2011. ISBN: 9781437717822
Special Requirements: As outline in the Nursing Student Handbook
Program Learning Outcomes: 
Upon completion of this ocurse, the nursing student's clinical 
practice will be characterized by:

1. Professional Behaviors: Engage in on-going self-assessment while 
incorporating ethical and regulatory principles and guidelines in the 
care of individuals and families experiencing alterations in mental 
health.

2. Communication: Use therapeutic communication principles and 
techniques with individual clients, families, and health team members 
within professional boundaries to promote positive outcomes.

3. Decision-Making: Develop critical thinking skills to promote 
management of safe care for the client with mental illness/disorder.

4. Caring Interventions: Provide a therapeutic and controlled 
environment for the client with mental illness.

5. Collaborating: Collaborate with client, support persons, members 
of the interdisciplinary treatment team to function as team to meet 
client needs.

6. Managing Care: Effectively manage the care of the client with a 
mental illness while considering religious, cultural, and spiritual 
influences on health.
Course Learning Outcomes: 
See expanded syllabus developed by the instructor for each section 
being taught.
Methods of Evaluation: Evaluation of student progress towards achieving the stated learning outcomes and performance objectives is the responsibility of the instructor, within the policies of the college and the department. Detailed explanations are included in the expanded Syllabus developed by the instructor for each section being taught. Learning activities may include: online lecture-discussion, activities, and multi-media learning support materials, written assignments and online exams, and required and suggested reading assignments. In addition to the assigned learning activities, students are encouraged to explore multimedia resources provided on the LMS related to the nursing care of patients in mental health settings.
Flexibility: It is the intention of the instructor to accomplish the objectives specified in the course syllabus. However, circumstances may arise which prohibit the fulfilling of this endeavor. Therefore, this syllabus is subject to change. When possible, students will be notified of any change in advance of its occurrence.
Student Email Accounts Pensacola State College provides an institutional email account to all credit students. Pirate Mail is the official method of communication, and students must use Pirate Mail when communicating with the College. In cases where companion software is used for a particular class, emails may be exchanged between instructor and student using the companion software.
Note: For students with a disability that falls under the Americans with Disability Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, it is the responsibility of the student to notify Student Resource Center for ADA Services to discuss any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course. Upon completion of registration with the Student Resource Center for ADA Services office, specific arrangements can be discussed with the instructor.