NAD 205 - Community & Mental Health Nursing

Credit(s): 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to community health nursing and mental health nursing. This course will focus on the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of mental health needs of the individual across the lifespan and the community health needs of the family and selected groups within communities. A major focus of this course is for students to critically think about and discuss the role of the community health nurse; understand basic epidemiological concepts; and perform a community health assessment exploring the impact of culture, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, environment, and violence on the health of the community. In addition, students will focus on the role of the mental health nurse; understand the etiology, pathophysiology and psychopathology, signs and symptoms, complications, medications, and treatment modalities; and perform mental health assessments on patients experiencing cognitive, mental and behavioral disorders. This course will also focus on disaster preparedness, triage, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Emphasis is placed on management of patients facing emotional and psychological stressors as well as promoting and maintaining the mental health of individuals and families, health promotion and disease prevention of vulnerable groups within our communities, and health disparities that exist within a global environment. The community as a site for care and support services is addressed. Clinical experiences will be provided in selected mental health settings and students will plan and implement a service-learning project in the community setting. Satisfactory (S) performance in clinical and a minimum grade of “C” in theory are required in order to pass the course.
Applicable toward graduation at Sandburg where program structure permits:
Degree or Certificate: AAS, AGS and Certificates where applicable. (1.2)

Offered: Fall
Prerequisite(s): Take NAD 125, NAD 130, BIO 212, and BIO 200 with a grade of C or better to progress in the program. Take NAD 200 with a grade of C or better to progress in the program.
General Education: Not Applicable