COURSE SYLLABUS
1. TITLE OF COURSE: Introduction to Psychiatric Care
PREFIX/NUMBER: PTE 110 Credit Hours: 3
2. PRE-REQUISITES: Admission to Psychiatric Technician Program
COREQUISITES: NUR 109 and NUR 112.
3. REQUIRED TEXTS: Psychiatric Mental Health
Nursing, Concepts of Care,
Townsend, F.A. Davis,
latest edition.
Psych Notes Clinical
Pocket Guide, Pedersen,
D., F.A. Davis, 2005
Supplemental Learning
Guide: PTE 110
4. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides for clinical practice of basic nursing skills and explores basic principles of psychiatric care. Through the study of therapeutic communication, human development and behavior assessment and documentation, the student will develop and apply interpersonal and technical skills while working with clients in psychiatric care settings.
5. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
A. Describe settings for and staff used in the delivery of psychiatric care.
B. Identify and apply legal and ethical concepts in psychiatric care.
C. Utilize therapeutic communication techniques to develop therapeutic relationships with
clients.
D. Assume responsibility for his/her professional growth through self assessment of
emotions, attitudes, and behaviors with emphasis on how these components influence
others.
E. Demonstrate use of the steps of the nursing process in giving care to a client.
F. Demonstrate clear, accurate, and appropriate documentation of client behaviors in
psychiatric settings.
G. Discuss, in detail, the factors that influence human development and behavior.
H. Identify psychobiological responses to anxiety and stress and discuss how they impact
human behavior.
I. Safely and accurately perform basic nursing skills, including medication administration.
6. EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
Grading Scale
A = 93 - 100
B = 85 - 92
C = 76 - 84
D = 69 - 75
F = 68 and below
Theory Evaluation
1. Three (3) written tests, worth 75% of total grade.
2. Group activities and class attendance and participation will be worth 5% of total
grade.
3. Quizzes/written assignments will be worth 5% of total grade.
4. Nutrition paper will be worth 15% of total grade.
Quizzes/written assignments:
1. A quiz (approximately 10 questions) may be given during the first 10 minutes of each
class period or a written assignment may be collected at the beginning of class.
2. The point average for all quizzes/assignments will be substituted for the lowest test
score when the average of all test scores is 76 or higher.
3. Quizzes/written assignments will be from the reading assigned for that day.
NOTE: A student who arrives late for class or is absent cannot take the quiz for that day or receive credit for written assignments due that day. Quizzes/ assignments missed because of absences or arriving late for class cannot be made up. The score recorded for missed quizzes/assignments will be 0.
Test Taking:
1. Retaking the same test, for any reason, is not permitted.
2. Ten percent will be deducted from original grade if a test is taken after the
scheduled time. Final exams must be taken at scheduled time.
3. Papers or extra assignments cannot be completed to raise a test grade, test average,
or course grade to 76%.
Clinical Evaluation
1. Students must receive a satisfactory (S) rating in clinical to pass the course. Clinical
performance will be evaluated using the Clinical Evaluation Tool in the course
Supplemental Learning Guide. Students will also complete a self-evaluation.
2. In addition to receiving a satisfactory rating on the Clinical Evaluation Tool, students
must satisfactorily complete all clinical assignments in order to pass the course.
Clinical assignments include:
One (1) Client Data Collection Tool (using forms in the course SLG).
One (1) Interpersonal Process Recordings (IPR), using format found in the course
SLG.
3. Assignments are due on the dates specified on the Class Schedule and Assignment
Due Dates. Any assignment turned in late will receive a 10% deduction from the
original grade.
Teaching methods may include: lecture/discussion, guest speakers, audio visual aids, demonstration/practice skill checks in lab, group presentations, case studies, and papers/bibliography cards.
Special Remarks:
It is the philosophy of the psychiatric technician faculty that students are adult learners. Conferences are available on request for enhancing theory comprehension, clinical interventions and test review.
A passing grade of 76% or above is necessary to pass the course. When a student has failed (less than 76%) or withdrawn from a course, the student is ineligible to continue in the program or until the course is repeated and a satisfactory grade is achieved.
For complete information regarding failure/continuation/readmission in the nursing program see Failure/Continuation/Readmission Policies in the Psychiatric Technician Student Handbook.
Each exam grade will be calculated as a percent and carried out to the nearest hundredth. The final course grade will be rounded off to an even number.
The tardiness policy as listed in the Psychiatric Technician Student Handbook will be followed.
Punctuality is essential. Students must report to the class/clinical site at or before the time designated for the experience. In the case of tardiness, students are required to notify the instructor prior to the time scheduled for the class/clinical experience.
Assignments/Missed Exams: It is the student's responsibility, whether present or absent, to obtain all material presented and to complete all course assignments. If prior arrangements are made or extenuating circumstances exist, makeup of tests may be allowed. Late homework papers will not be accepted unless those same extenuating circumstances exist. Makeup of quizzes is to be at the instructor's discretion.
7. COURSE OUTLINE:
Unit I. Foundations of Psychiatric Care
A. Mental health/mental illness continuum
B. Psychiatric care: settings and staff
C. Historical overview of psychiatric care
D. Legal - ethical aspects of psychiatric care
Unit II. Therapeutic Communication and Relationships
A. Therapeutic communication
B. Building therapeutic relationships
C. Self awareness
Unit III. Psychiatric Assessment and Documentation
A. Overview of DSM-IV
B. Overview of nursing process
C. Overview of the Mental Status Examination
D. Interviewing
E. Documentation
Unit IV. Concepts Basic to Understanding Human Behavior
A. Human development
B. Family/cultural dynamics
C. Ego defense mechanisms
D. Stress
E. Anxiety
F. Grief
G. Psychobiology
8. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
To be successful in this course, students are expected to participate in discussions, readings, in-class writing, and peer review activities. The instructor may assign point values to such activities.
9. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College has adopted a policy of academic conduct as described in the Student Handbook and outlined in the Psychiatric Technician Student Handbook. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism and unauthorized collaboration, falsification, abuse of academic materials, and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. If an instructor determines that an act of academic/ clinical dishonesty has taken place, the student(s) will receive a zero for the test or assignment. This grade penalty will result in a failing grade in lecture or clinical and dismissal from the program. Conditions for readmission to the program may be specified by the Department Chair/Coordinator.
10. ADA NOTICE:
Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information.