Admission and Unit Information - Master of Mental Health Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Professional practice in Mental Health Nursing is continually evolving to meet changing social, political and legal requirements related to mental health issues. These requirements include changes in social and political understandings of mental illness and the rights and responsibilities of consumers, carers and providers. There has also been increased emphasis on health promotion, prevention and education in population specific contexts (eg, aged care, child and family, adolescent mental health, alcohol and other drugs services). Mental Health Nurses thus face challenges to develop practice that is congruent with the context of these changing requirements. This unit aims to provide a basis of inquiry into contemporary practice(s) from which the nurse can build an ongoing understanding and appreciation of changing influences.

This unit is designed to develop students' knowledge of the principles and processes necessary for evidence-based clinical practice. General concepts associated with evidence-based nursing are explored. In addition students are assisted to formulate focussed clinical questions and conduct a comprehensive literature search for research evidence that may assist in answering such questions. Issues and techniques involved in the rigorous appraisal of research reports are addressed. The importance of clinical significance and individual patient preferences when making clinical judgments about the implementation of research findings are also explored.

We are all confronted with the challenge of leadership, regardless of nursing speciality, role or status. Encompassed within leadership is knowledge of self, relevant theories, skills and political awareness which are developed through higher education. By developing leadership skills and knowledge we can influence better outcomes for our patients/clients and create more positive working environments. In the unit, Leadership in Clinical Practice, nursing leadership arising from expert clinical practice is explored as a general notion rather than as one arising from within any particular clinical speciality. Content includes theories, concepts and styles of leadership, the development of leadership potential, motivation, coaching, and mentorship, concepts of power, authority and empowerment and discussion of contemporary leadership issues. Assignments provide students with the opportunity to apply new knowledge about leadership to their practice, whether they be in management, education or clinical roles.

This unit enables students to gain an understanding of the political and social constructions that underpin health care services. It also provides students with the opportunity to explore and critically analyse issues related to the development, implementation and outcomes of health and aged care policies.

Increasingly clinical leaders, practitioners and health service managers are being held accountable for improving the quality and safety of patient care and for developing a culture of quality improvement within their teams. In this unit students learn about quality, patient safety and governance frameworks and strategies that they can employ within healthcare to improve system performance, patient safety and patient outcomes. The main approaches used to address quality of care and patient safety are examined and their applications critiqued. Students will explore leadership issues for developing systematic, coherent quality improvement frameworks and quality initiatives that can be applied within their own sphere of practice.

This unit examines neuroanatomy and neurophysiology as they apply to altered thought, mood, perception and behaviour associated with mental illness; biological contributors to mental illness including hormones, genes, immune mechanisms, nutrition, and sleep disturbance; and the application of an understanding of biological contributors to advanced mental health practice.

This unit examines assessment and treatment planning practices for advanced practice nurses. Components of the unit include advanced assessment skills, diagnostic decision making, judicious ordering, reading and interpretation of pathology and radiology tests, triaging and prioritisation, pharmacology, intervention and referral skills. These skills will be addressed in a range of assessment and decision-making situations, to include assessment across the lifespan and recognizing deviation from the norm. Nurses working at an advanced practice level are expected to be able to autonomously undertake comprehensive mental health assessments, and to apply clinical judgement to decision making and treatment planning.

This unit examines pharmacological principles including functional neuroanatomy review, pharmacokinetic principles, pharmacodynamic principles, and neuropharmacology. Students examine a number of psychotropic drugs: antipsychotic, mood stabilisers, complementary medicines, drugs of abuse/misuse, antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs in relation to targeted symptoms, titration, side-effects, and monitoring of clients from across the lifespan. Decision-making in psychopharmacology with development of decision algorithms is explored. The importance of appropriate collaborative processes between the nurse practitioner, clients across the lifespan and their families in medication management is addressed.

Students are required to demonstrate the capacity to work autonomously in a mental health setting and to be able to utilise various forms of supervision. Students undertake at least 150 hours supervised advanced practice in assessment, treatment planning and provision of care for clients in a mental health setting. Supervision is provided by a primary supervisor/mentor/assessor and a multidisciplinary clinical panel who can support and review the student’s work in respect of working at an advanced level of clinical practice. The requirement for primary supervision and a review panel is mandated by the NSW Nurses and Midwives Board.

Students are required to demonstrate the capacity to work autonomously in a mental health setting and to be able to utilise supervision to support achievement of unit learning objectives. Students undertake at least 150 hours supervised advanced clinical practice in assessment, treatment planning and provision of care for clients in a mental health setting. Clinical practice setting supervision is provided by a Primary Supervisor/Mentor/Assessor and a multidisciplinary clinical support group who will support and review the student’s work in respect of working at an advanced level of clinical practice towards the attainment of a Nurse Practitioner qualification. A clinical assessment peer review panel that complies with NMB guidelines will be convened at the end of the session to assess the student’s knowledge, clinical decision-making, understanding of therapeutic interventions including pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents, as well as their capacity to meet all requirements of the National Competency Standards for the Nurse Practitioner.