NURS 3412 102: Psych & Mental Hlth Nursing

CONTENT OUTLINE: [THIS LIST IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE]
I. Foundation in Theory
 Mental Health & Mental Illness
 Theories & Therapies
 Psychobiology & Psychopharmacology

II. Foundations for Practice
 Treatment Settings
 Cultural Implications
 Delegation and supervision
 Legal and ethical issues (Code of ethics, client rights, identifying issues to report,
restraints

III. Psychosocial Nursing Tools
 Nursing Process & Standards of Care
 Therapeutic communication & relationships
 Stress and defense mechanisms

IV. Psychobiological Disorders
 Childhood & Neurodevelopmental Disorders
 Anxiety & Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
 Bipolar & Related Disorders
 Depressive disorders
 Trauma-and stressor-related disorders (e.g. PTSD)
 Eating & Feeding Disorders
 Somatic Symptom Disorders
 Sleep Wake Disorders
 Sexual Dysfunction, Gender Dysphoria & Paraphilia’s
 Impulse Control Disorders
 Substance-Related & Addictive Disorders
 Neurocognitive disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, delirium)
 Personality disorders

V. Trauma Interventions
 Crisis & Disaster
 Anger, Aggression & Violence
 Family and community violence
 Sexual Assault
 Suicide

VI. Interventions for Special Populations
 Death, Dying & Grieving
 Serious Mental Illness
 Care of Older adults
 Forensic Nursing

VII. Other Intervention Modalities.
 Therapeutic Groups
 Group and Family Interventions
 Integrative Care

TEACHING STRATEGIES:
This course is taught in a synchronous method utilizing face-to-face and online instruction: Lectures
discussion groups, interactive learning, computer-assisted instruction, self-study or study groups, case
studies, assigned readings, simulations, and supervised clinical practice.

During the course of the studies, the student will

1. Synthesize knowledge from the arts, humanities, sciences, and other disciplines in developing a framework for nursing knowledge and practice. 

2. Explore the effect of variations in health status, developmental processes, values, beliefs and attitudes, culture, history, and environment on nursing care needs. 

3. Use critical thinking, clinical judgment/decision making, problem-solving, and the research process in the development of nursing knowledge and practice.

4. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate evidenced-based and culturally- appropriate safe nursing care with patient, families, populations and communities. 

5. Evaluate utilization of health promotion strategies in the development of nursing practice. 

6. Develop professional nursing practice frameworks and roles, including the provider of patient-centered care, health care team member/collaboration, leader/manager, education, scholar, patient-safety advocate, activist, mentor and entrepreneur. 

7. Evaluate the impact of evolving technological, socioeconomic, political and demographic changes on nursing practice and health care systems. 

8. Adhere to legal and ethical principles in the development of professional nursing practice. 

9. Articulate a commitment to life-long learning.

10. Participate in nursing and health-related service opportunities. 

1. Apply concepts and principles from the arts, sciences, humanities and nursing when making practice decisions for individuals, families, and groups
experiencing alterations in mental health status.

2. Incorporation social, cultural, ethnic, spiritual, psychological, and economic factors when providing nursing care to individuals, families, and groups
experiencing alterations in mental health status.

3. Use critical thinking, evidenced-based knowledge, nd interdisciplinary collaboration to develop holistic plans of care for individuals, families, and groups
experiencing alterations in mental health status.

4. Provide accurate, safe, and holistic nursing care to  individuals, families, and groups experiencing alterations in mental health status within ethical, legal and professional nursing boundaries.

5. Incorporate relevant research when providing the delivery of comprehensive nursing care among diverse populations experiencing alteration in mental health status, including individuals, families and communities. 

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At the end of the semester, students will be required to take the HESI NGN Proctored standardized course exam. The student will be responsible for paying the designated fee during the time set by CON. Failure of the student to pay the HESI fee will result in a HOLD in the student's registration record. For Fall 2024, HESI will be paid by the College of Nursing. The required adaptive quizzes & HESI case studies will be online through Evolve Elsevier.  http://evolve.elsevier.com

CONHS Grading and Grade Rounding:

a. The CONHS has adopted a grading scale in line with other Texas schools of nursing:
A = 90 - 100 B = 80 - 89 C = 75 – 79 F- 74 and below
b. Nursing students must achieve a grade of C or higher in both theory and clinical components of a course in order to pass that course and progress in the program. A grade of F in either theory or clinical components will constitute a course failure.
c. To pass a nursing course and progress in the program, a nursing student must attain an exam average (includes tests and the final) of 75% or higher.
d. To pass a nursing course and progress in the program, a nursing student must attain an overall course average of 75% or higher.
e. If student receives <75% on any exam, the student must make appointment to meet with the instructor to discuss remediation.
f. All grade assignments and assessment (exams, quizzes, etc.) will be calculated to the hundredth (i.e. 2 decimal points); no mathematical rounding is to occur.
g. Grade rounding:

        Test Average
        i. The weighted exam average total for the courses includes all exams and the final exam, and is calculated to two decimal places                 and rounded mathematically as follows:
       ii. Less than 0.45 round down to the next whole number (74.44 rounds down to a 74)
       iii. 0.45 or greater: Round up to the next whole number (75.45 rounds up to a 75)

        Course Average
        i. The final weighted numeric course grade is calculated to two decimal places and rounded mathematically as follows:
       ii. Less than 0.45 round down to the next whole number (74.44 rounds down to a 74)
      iii. 0.45 or greater: Round up to the next whole number (75.45 rounds up to a 75)

CONHS Examination Policy and Guidelines:
a. This semester all quizzes & tests will be given online
b. All test items will assess the student’s ability to apply and analyze knowledge learned in the course. Test items will challenge the student to apply abilities in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care and critical thinking.
c. Any student who must be absent from an examination must notify the lead faculty PRIOR to the examination. The lead faculty shall be notified in a written format, preferably via Blackboard Email that includes a date and time. The weight of the missed exam may be added to the student’s final examination, ONLY upon lead faculty approval. Students who fail to notify the lead faculty before the examination period will not be allowed to carry the weight of the missed exam to their final exam; thus, receiving a Zero (0) for the missed exam.
d. All Exams will be given face to face, using the online Respondus Lockdown Browser (and webcam if advised to do so).
e. The exam will consist of at least 75 questions (multiple choice, select all that apply, fill in the blanks, unfolding case studies) from the chapters covered in the specified weekly modules.
f. Your student ID is required to log onto the exams.
g. All online exams must use Respondus lockdown browser and if off campus without direct faculty proctoring the student must also use the Respondus webcam.
h. All students need to purchase a year-long license for Respondus. The cost is $15, and you will be able to use it in all of your classes. If you are using a Chrome book, you will need to purchase Proctorial.
i. Student instructions for purchasing and installing Respondus can be found:
https://www.tamiu.edu/distance/technology/respondus-ldb-and-monitor.shtml

Process for Testing using Respondus Lockdown Browser with Monitor
1. Prior to giving any exams, the faculty must submit a sample exam with Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor. It is suggested that a sample exam/quiz folder be set up in the Content area of the course for this practice exam/quiz.
2. The test date and time must be specified; this includes the date and time the test begins and ends. It is suggested all exams be given during a limited period such as less than a 6-hour window.
3. All final exams, except in online courses, must be given at the date and time specified by the university (i.e. started at exactly 9:00AM and ending exactly 11:50AM. The test must be set up in such a way that at the end of the allotted time the exam will automatically close)
4. The student’s tabletop or desk, and under the computer must be covered with a dark solid background. (suggestion is black plastic type table cloth that can be reused)
5. Prior to the exam (If exams are taken off campus/distance exam)
   a. The student must show their face and TAMIU ID on camera.
   b. The webcam must be used to show a 360-degree view of the entire room as well as under the table and chair were the student will be sitting. (The door to the room must be kept closed at all times and any interruption to the exam by opening of the door or
       someone entering the room will result in an automatic zero on the exam.)
   c. Student must use a mirror to show that the monitor screen, laptop, and keyboard are free of any stickers, post it notes, etc.
   d. After the student uses their cell phone to sign in it must be powered-off and set it face down on the table where it can be seen by the video camera.
   e. No wristwatches or pendants may be worn. No long sleeve shirts or sweaters may be worn. Arms up to elbows must be visible.
   f. No caps or hoodies, earphones or ear buds may be worn.
  g. Absolutely no talking during the exam either to yourself or to someone else. No music can be played during the exam.
  h. Students must not leave the exam or view of camera until the exam is submitted.
  i. All tests will require a password that will not be provided until just prior to the exam.
  j. All tests will begin and end exactly at the time specified (it will automatically shut down at the end of the testing period).
  k. Student failure to follow these guidelines will result in an automatic zero on the exam.

Learning Contract
All students who score below 80% on any periodical exam of a nursing course will be given a Learning Contract from faculty. A Learning Contract is created to facilitate student success in the course and in the BSN program. Failure to comply with the requirements listed in the Learning Contract signed both by faculty and student will result to an Incomplete Grade and will prevent a student from progressing to the next academic semester.

HESI Exam
At the end of the semester students will be required to take the Proctored standardized course exams. The score on this exam will count as a grade and will count for 10% of the course grade. Grading for this exam will be as follows: 850 or greater: 100. Students scoring below the benchmark of 850 will receive the conversion score that is assigned by HESI as the grade of record on the grade book.

Students will receive review packets based on their performance on the HESI exam. These packets will be counted as an assignment for the course and will count as 5% of the course grade. All students will be required to complete the review packets by the due date assigned by the course faculty. Failure to complete the review packets will result in the student receiving an Incomplete Grade for the course. Information regarding the Incomplete, Withdraw, and Dismissal process can be found in the TAMIU BSN Handbook
https://www.tamiu.edu/conhs/documents/handbooks/bsnhandbook.pdf

Class attendance: It is the student’s responsibility to attend class as scheduled and to be on time. To minimize distraction, students who arrive late to class or leave the classroom during class time will be asked to wait until the next class break before they are allowed back into the classroom. Failure to complete or submit a class quiz or complete an exam due to arriving late or leaving class time early counts as a class absence and will not be offered at any other time, other than their original time administered or scheduled date.

 Electronic devices: To minimize interruptions, cellular phones and smart watches must be turned off (vibration mode is not acceptable) when in the classroom. Faculty reserves the right to dismiss students who are disruptive in the class. This will constitute a class absence and any in-class assignment or quiz for that day will receive a zero (0).

Written assignment: All written assignments are computer generated and are submitted via electronic assignment drop boxes in Bb. Evaluation of written work is based on the grading criteria designed for each assignment. All scholarly papers are to follow the APA Manual, 7th editions (2020) guidelines. All papers become the property of the School of Nursing. Each student is responsible for ensuring that their assignment(s) are uploaded into the correct assignment drop box following the instructions and time frames provided to them. No assignments accepted via email. Contact OIT 326-2310 if have submission issues.

COURSE POLICIES
1. Students must meet the standards for minimal performance and progression established by Texas A&M International University and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

2. Participation grade: Comprised of online testing adaptive quizzes, and other assignments, i.e., case studies. Participation grade is designed to enhance student learning and is meant to be worked on throughout the semester; thus, once an assignment period has closed it WILL NOT be reopened. These grades will count toward one’s overall participation grade.
     a. Weekly Bb Chapter Modules: Each chapter has a Bb module available under the content folder in Bb. Learning objectives for each chapter are found           in these modules. These assignments are meant to be completed by their respective assigned due date.
     b. Blackboard (Bb) multimedia: These assignments require students to view videos as assigned on Bb from  one’s personal computer. The multimedia       formats complement the weekly lecture presentations. Multimedia or videos assignments will vary weekly.
     c. Adaptive quizzes: Students will be assigned a minimum of 60-80 questions weekly NCLEX style questions as part of their assignments. These questions will help prepare students for the end of course and end of program standardized exams and for NCLEX. These questions will be assigned a percentage of the total weight of the course grade. The goal is to reach each mastery level by the end of the assigned week and are meant to be completed by their respective assigned due date.
     d. Other Assignments: Assignments are made available either in the syllabus, in the class or online. The lead faculty throughout the semester deems assignments. All assignments will be submitted using an online assignment drop box in Black board by their respective assigned due date.
     e. Using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT will not be allowed to be used in any assignment. Students are expected to complete each assignment without assistance from others, including automated writing tools. Any student who is seen using AI will be reported to the Honors Council Committee and will follow University and CSON policies per protocol.

3. Case studies/ Online Assignments: Students enrolled in this course must participate in the case studies & online assignments. All students shall be enrolled by the second week for this does not affect one’s participation grade. Participation in these online modules is designed to enhance student learning. These assignments should be completed by their respective assigned due date. Students are to submit a copy of their grade using a screenshot method and place it in the appropriate drop box. Therefore, a grade zero will be issued if there is no submission

CLINICAL POLICIES

1. Purpose: The clinical experience is to provide an opportunity to integrate theory into practice. Students are assigned to a variety of settings where they will focus on specific activities as indicated by specific clinical assignments. Reminder: At all times, you represent the Canseco School of Nursing and Texas A&M International University to that agency and to the community you are working with. Professionalism is required.

2. Clinical Hour: This course has a total of 84 hours of clinical. Clinical hours will be a combination of face to face clinical experience, case studies, and simulation. See breakdown below

3. Mandatory orientation: Students will be required to attend a mandatory orientation prior to commencing their clinical rotation. Students who do not complete the orientation requirements for their agencies will not be allowed to continue with the clinical experience they are assigned to and may be subject to a course failure

4. New Skills introduced in this course:

• Therapeutic communication
• Psychosocial assessment
• Mental status assessment
• Group talk session
• Mental health promotion
• Self-reflection/awareness

5. Special requirement related to student dress/appearance: All students must follow the dress code policies. See CONHS BSN Handbook.
a. Professional attire: For this clinical rotation, a solid maroon polo shirt and black hemmed slacks are required. Students may wear a ¾” sleeve black shirt under the maroon polo shirt if get cold easily or to cover tattoos. The lead faculty will strictly enforce the dress code for this clinical experience. Please note that jeans, yoga pants, leggings, or shorts are not acceptable. Due to the physical requirements of this course, please make sure that clothing is loose and allows for ease of movement. Ladies: keep hair up in bun with pins to hold it in place & no bangs to maintain professional appearance and safety. Only 1 pair of stud earrings allowed, cover all tattoos. Fingernails to be cut short for client & student safety; No artificial nails will
be allowed. Men: Are to be clean-shaven and well groomed.
b. Shoes: All Black shoes or all black leather tennis shoes are required with black slacks. No canvas or cloth shoes, clogs, open heel or open toe shoes permitted. Low heeled shoes are a necessity in order to be able to move quickly in them.
c. Student ID: You are expected to dress in a professional manner and to display your TAMIU student ID with name and picture fully visible on shirt collar at all times. ID strings or cords are unsafe and not permitted. Adherence to Texas BON regulations requires that a TAMIU student ID be worn at all times in the clinical setting only.
d. Accessories: Bring only items necessary to the clinical setting (paper, pen, guidelines, etc.). Leave purses, and all valuables or bulky items safely at home. No sunglasses, baseball caps, decorative hair barrettes, headbands or headgear is permitted. 
e. Cell phones or other electronic devices are not permitted in the clinical setting. Cell phones are not permitted on your person during the clinical experience unless approved by your instructor. Lock them in your car during clinical. Use the agency’s landline if needed.
6. Student Health Requirements: Memorandums of understanding have been established between the Texas A&M International University, CONHS and clinical practice facilities. As part of our agreement the CONHS will abide by the practicum facilities policies and procedures. These policies and procedures may include immunization or health guidelines, which may be more stringent than what is defined in the Undergraduate Student Handbook. Students must meet the clinical health and CPR requirements prior to going to the clinical setting. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the inability to attend clinical and receive a Clinical F day. Students are responsible for submitting these requirements in Verified Credentials. See CONHS BSN Handbook.

7. Clinical and simulation schedule: For Fall 2024, we will utilize Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays for clinical and simulations.  A clinical schedule will be given before the start of clinical.