Programs

Cont. Ed. : Postbasic Mental Health Program for Licensed Practical Nurses

Learners who have successfully completed the program are awarded a certificate of completion from the Centre for Nursing Studies. This program is designed to prepare LPN's to acquire the necessary knowledge and practice expertise to care for clients with mental health and psychiatric problems in a variety of health care settings.

Theory

An exam is written at the end of each module. The overall pass mark is 70%.

Modules

The nine self-paced modules include specific content relevant to caring for and understanding the client with mental health problems. The learner must successfully complete each module.

Module One - Provides an overview of mental health, mental illness, and trends in mental health care.

Module Two - Discusses the nursing process and its application to mental health nursing.

Module Three - Discusses various therapeutic interventions in care of the mental health client.

Module Four - Discusses developmental issues across the life span including care of clients with specific mental health disorders.

Module Five - Applies the nursing process to mental illnesses.

Module Six - Presents concepts related to addictions and eating disorders.

Module Seven - Discusses homelessness, clients with intellectual disabilities, and forensic psychiatric nursing.

Module Eight - Discusses crisis, including rape, family violence, and suicide.

Module Nine - Discusses community-based care and rehabilitation.

Clinical Experience

Upon successful completion of the theoretical component of the program, learners will complete a clinical component. Learners will be accommodated in their own geographic region as much as possible.

There are two possible clinical options:

1)         Individuals who have less than 2 years (full time equivalent) in mental health clinical practice are expected to complete a 4 week preceptored clinical experience.  During this time, learners are expected to complete an Interpersonal Process Recording (IPR) and a Mental Status Exam (MSE) based on interactions with clients in the clinical settings.  Learners are expected to devote 4 hours a week for 6 weeks, to complete a project in a community based or clinical mental health setting.  The learner will be expected to devise 3 learning objectives for this clinical component.  The learner will complete a written assignment discussing how these objectives were met. 
 

2)         Individuals who have 2 or more years (full time equivalent) in mental health clinical practice will be required to complete an IPR and MSE with individuals in an acute care clinical setting.  These learners will not be required to complete a preceptored clinical experience. Instead, they will be expected to devote 4 hours for 6 weeks to complete a project in a community based or clinical mental health setting. This will be done in collaboration with the Program Coordinator.

Program Fees

• Tuition fee: $800 payable at registration
• Tuition includes all costs associated with the program including cost of textbooks, modules, additional readings and clinical component.

Program Completion

The Centre for Nursing Studies offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) as a service to learners who feel they may have achieved learning through previous knowledge and experience.

Learners have the opportunity to complete the program at their own pace within a one year period.

The Post Basic Mental Health Program is offered based on demand.

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