Mental Health and Substance Abuse Nursing (6 cr)

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- describe the most common mental health disorders in children, young people and adults and their main examination and treatment methods
- use evidence-based information and recommendations when justifying decisions, approaches and working methods used in mental health and substance abuse nursing care
- apply the principles of resource-oriented interaction in the care of a mental health and substance abuse clients and in supporting the significant others
- recognise the patient's difficult emotions, psychological strain, grief and crisis, and describe how to help the patient and their significant others to manage these difficult feelings
- describe the significance of the service system for mental health and substance abuse nursing , digital services and work in multiprofessional teams and networks
- describe the special features of medication treatment in mental health nursing
- explain the significance of ethical guidelines and legislation in mental health and substance abuse nursing
- recognise special features related to cultures and subcultures in mental health and substance abuse nursing
- analyse ethical questions related to mental health and substance abuse nursing
- analyse the significance of their own attitudes, perceptions and resources when implementing client-oriented nursing

Location and time

Please refer to the Timetable Engine at https://lukkarit.laurea.fi/ for the schedule information. Laurea reserves the right to modify the timetable.

Materials

EBMG (Evidence based medical guidelines)
Canvas: pages + interactive books and course presentations

Teaching methods

Daytime learning:

A Canvas learning environment is used to support the implementation, but it is important to take part in teaching and guidance on campus according to schedule. The study unit includes working in pairs or groups. You will receive individual feedback for assignments from the teacher.

Employer connections

Experts by experience will share their stories with the students during the study unit. We might contact some organizations or professionals so they are able to describe how they are helping and supporting clients.

Exam schedules

Based on the degree regulations (2024), the student accepted for the implementation is required to confirm his/her participation by showing activity at the start of the study in the following way:

In order to demonstrate activity, the student must be present at the first contact lesson or notify the teacher in charge of his/her absence to confirm his/her participation in the study. Registration will be rejected if the student does not report his/her absence at the start of the study or the reason for the absence cannot be considered justified. Another student can be taken in his place. The first contact lesson is .

International connections

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Completion alternatives

According to the degree regulations (2024), "Students are entitled to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where, when and how the competence has been acquired. ... At Laurea, there are two different procedures for the recognition and accreditation of prior learning: a) accreditation of prior learning (competence acquired in higher education studies at another institution) and b) demonstration of competence (competence acquired in other ways). The recognition and accreditation of prior learning is initiated by the student themselves. The student is responsible for demonstrating and verifying their competence. The student is entitled to guidance for the recognition and accreditation of their competence." Further information in the student intranet.

You may also assess work-based learning as a way to acquire the competence needed. Read more in the student intranet.

Student workload

Workload of the study is measured in a way that to acquire the goal competence of the study, one credit corresponds to an average of 26.7 hours of work done by the student. The actual time needed varies e.g. according to prior competence.


PART 1.
1cr = 27h of student's work

PART 2.
5 cr = 135h
Contact lessons(including workshops) 35 h
Exam and test = 2h
Independent preparation for the exam

Content scheduling

Parts of the study unit:
PART 1. Psychiatry online Medical Studies 1 cr (Canvas, independent study)
PART 2. Mental Health, substance Abuse nursing and Crisis Care 5 cr
PART 3. Nursing skills theory test (YleSh)

Main psychiatric disorders and the medical grounds for care
- Mechanisms of the most common intoxicants
- Operating principles of mental health and substance abuse nursing
- Supporting clients who are experiencing an acute crisis and are acutely ill
- Service system and legislation
- Professional interaction in care relationship with mental health or substance abuse clients and their significant others
- Pharmacological therapies for mental health and substance abuse patient
- Mental health of children and adolescents

Assignments to be assessed:
- Canvas competence test
- YleSh-exam
- Poster assigment

Evaluation scale

H-5

Further information

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

The prerequisite for participation is always that the possible competence prerequisites according to the curriculum (previous study or similar competence) are fulfilled. The student is responsible for taking into account the prerequisite conditions. YleSh-exam will be held in the end of the study unit.

The quality of the study unit implementation has been assessed and the self-evaluation report is available for example in Canvas or Teams.