Key facts
UNE unit code: HSNS210
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
This unit focuses on the nursing care of people with mental health conditions. You will consider positive images of people living with mental illness, the role of consumers and carers, and the importance of collaborative interprofessional practice.
You will apply critical thinking, clinical reasoning and reflective practice skills to conduct strengths-based mental health assessment, to provide safe nursing care within your scope of practice, including safely administer medications for common mental health conditions.
This unit includes 80 hours of professional education practice (PEP) where you will apply your knowledge and skills across various healthcare settings. You will explore legal, professional and ethical aspects of nursing practice in mental health care.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit includes 80 hours of professional education practice.
Professional education practice will only proceed for students who meet pre-clinical requirements in the first eight weeks of their enrolment in the course and maintain the currency of these requirements throughout the duration of the course.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- conduct a focused mental health assessment on people, and interpret health information and informatics in order to plan and implement safe person-centred nursing care across the life span;
- implement and evaluate evidence-based clinical reasoning and the application of the NMBA Registered nurse standards for practice during professional education practice (PEP) to develop and consolidate skills in mental health nursing practice, including recognising and responding to patient deterioration across diverse health contexts;
- integrate and apply principles of reflective practice and effective communication through digital health with consideration of ethical and legal principles and person-centred care;
- develop and apply knowledge and skills associated with mental health care strategies, pharmacotherapeutics and safe use of medications; and
- integrate preventative and health promotion strategies to mental health conditions.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Assurance Task | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Supervised Exam To pass this unit, you must attempt this task and achieve a cumulative mark of at least 50% across all assessments. No. Words: 1000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 60% | All offerings | Written Assessment No. Words: 2000 |
| Assessment 3 | Yes | All offerings | Professional Education Practice (PEP) Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory: Compulsory satisfactory to pass the unit Successful completion of 80 hours of professional education practice. Must pass this assessment item to pass the unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Mental Health Nursing: Theory and Practice for Clinical Settings
ISBN: 9780729544689
Foster, K., Marks, P., O'Brien, A. and Raeburn, T. , Elsevier 6th ed. 2024
Text refers to: All offerings
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