Nursing of Clients with Mental or Substance Abuse Problems (top-up) (5 cr)

Objective

Students
- can describe the contents, practices and elements of nursing interactions and their significance to mental health and substance abuse clients/patients and their significant others in diverse cultural and operating environments and understand their importance
- can plan, implement and evaluate patient-oriented and family-focused mental health and substance abuse nursing within the theoretical framework applicable to diverse operating environments
- can tell about the impacts of mental health, mental health disorders and psychiatric illnesses as well as substance addiction and abuse on the wellbeing of an individual and his/her family
- are able to identify and reflect on the ethical questions of mental health and substance abuse
- are able to explain the basis for health promoting, problem preventing and resource-oriented mental health and substance abuse nursing
- can explain the theoretical foundation of mental health and substance abuse nursing (psychosocial interventions, medication) in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care
- can describe the basics of supporting an individual in acute crisis
- are proficient in the principal methods of early intervention and bringing up sensitive topics
- are able to explain the different phases of human development
- are familiar with the service system of mental health and substance abuse
- understand the main contents of legislation on mental health and the significance to individuals

Content

- basic knowledge of the most common mental health disorders and psychiatric illnesses
- basic knowledge of substances causing addiction (alcohol, tobacco products and drugs) and substance abuse problems
- methods of mental health and substance abuse nursing and the main contents of interaction
- ethics and legislation regarding mental health and substance abuse
- multiculturalism in mental health and substance abuse nursing
- pharmacotherapy in mental health and substance abuse
- principal methods of early intervention and facing sensitive topics in mental health and substance abuse
- basic knowledge of crisis psychology
- basic knowledge of developmental psychology
- recovery orientation as a framework

Location and time

Weeks 17-21

Materials

Brooks, McHenry & American. Counseling Association. 2014. A Contemporary Approach to Substance Use Disorders and Addiction Counseling: A Counselor's Guide to Application and Understanding. Available in eBook Central.

Cavallaro R & Colombo R. 2022. Fundamentals of Psychiatry for Health Care Professionals. Springer eBooks.

Townsend M. 2014. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice. F. A. Davis Company. Available in eBook Central.

Mental Health Act: https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1990/en19901116_20101338.pdf

Weiner, I. B. L. & Lerner, R. M. (2012). Handbook of Psychology: Developmental Psychology. Available in eBook Central.

Wiley. Jacobs, G. A. (2016). Community-Based Psychological First Aid: A Practical Guide to Helping Individuals and Communities during Difficult Times. Butterworth-Heinemann. Available in eBook Central.

Other articles and materials provided by lecturer.

Teaching methods

Tuition in English
Interactive lecture (compulsory attendance)
Flipped learning
Web-based learning
Dialogue exams
Medication calculation exam
Simulations
Exam

Employer connections

N/A

Exam schedules

Medication calculation skills exam: At the end of the orientation lecture.
Retake (2) during the module.

Course exam as marked in the course schedule.
The re-takes are done in Exam

More information about Exam in Oma: https://oma.metropolia.fi/henkilokunnalle/strategia-ja-kehityspalvelut/digitalisaatio/ohjelmistojen-ohjeet/exam/exam-opiskelijoille

Student workload

Study module is 5 ECTS (5x27h is 135 hours of students work) .
Mental health nursing and psychiatry 3 ECTS
Substance abuse nursing 1 ECTS
Psychology 1 ECTS

Further information

This implementation is aimed for students with a previous nursing degree (bachelor or diploma). The students are required to have previous theoretical knowledge on the topic.The focus of the mental health and substance abuse nursing theory classes is on nurse-patient interaction and central concepts, Finnish legislation, ethics and health care system in Finland. Also developmental and crisis psychology will be taught. The students will study the central information, treatments and nursing processes of different psychiatric illnesses and substance abuse problems independently.

Participation in the orientation lecture is mandatory.
Passing the course requires active participation in theory classes and active independent study.


Students must confirm their attendance for a course implementation by being present when tuition begins or in another manner agreed with the lecturer; for example, by returning the first course assignment. Students who are unable to attend the first teaching session due to illness may also confirm their attendance by informing the lecturer of this in advance.

Framework in Nursing: Recovery approach is a personal journey rather than a set outcome, and one that may involve developing hope, a secure base and sense of self, supportive relationships, empowerment, social inclusion, coping skills, and meaning.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

Students may use artificial intelligence in the course assignments, but they must clearly indicate its use. The course exam must be completed without the assistance of AI. During the exam, students are required to use only their own knowledge, understanding, and skills. The use of AI during the exam or failure to disclose its use in assignments will be treated as a suspected case of academic dishonesty, in accordance with Metropolia's guidelines for handling disciplinary matters.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the attachment "Framework for evaluation criteria of competence"

Assessment methods and criteria

Mandatory attendance to course orientation
Active study in Moodle (pass/fail)
Pre-assignements for the lectures must be completed and submitted (pass / fail)
Passing the course requires active participation in theory classes
100 % attendance required, absences from mental health and substance abuse theory classes must be compensated with a written assignement
Psychology dialogue exam (pass/fail)
Medication calculation exam (pass/fail)
Simulations (pass / fail)
The course grade (0-5) is based on the exam

Qualifications

Basics of Clinical Nursing Competence.
Basic knowledge of Pharmacotherapy.