NR-668: Psychiatric-Mental Health Capstone Practicum & Intensive

Introduction

NR-668 is a psychiatric-mental health capstone practicum and intensive course offered by nursing schools to students in their final year of study. The course is designed to provide students with a practical experience of the mental health nursing practice, as well as to reinforce the theoretical knowledge they have acquired throughout their academic program. The course is typically offered in a healthcare facility that specializes in psychiatric-mental health nursing, where students work alongside experienced psychiatric nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals.

Objectives

The primary objective of the NR-668 course is to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies they have acquired throughout their academic program to the clinical setting.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Conduct a comprehensive psychiatric-mental health assessment of patients
• Develop and implement a patient-centered psychiatric-mental health treatment plan
• Evaluate the effectiveness of psychiatric-mental health interventions
• Apply evidence-based practice to psychiatric-mental health nursing
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide quality patient care
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals
• Demonstrate professional conduct and ethical behavior in the clinical setting

Course Content

The NR-668 course typically spans one academic term and is divided into two components: the practicum and the intensive.

Practicum

The practicum component of the course is usually the first half of the term and involves students working alongside experienced psychiatric-mental health nurses in a healthcare facility. During the practicum, students are assigned to a unit and work under the supervision of a preceptor. The preceptor is responsible for guiding and mentoring the student throughout the practicum and ensuring that they meet the course objectives.

The practicum component of the course focuses on the following areas:

• Conducting a comprehensive psychiatric-mental health assessment of patients
• Developing and implementing a patient-centered psychiatric-mental health treatment plan
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to provide quality patient care
• Communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals
• Demonstrating professional conduct and ethical behavior in the clinical setting

Intensive

The intensive component of the course is usually the second half of the term and involves students participating in a series of seminars, workshops, and case studies.

The intensive component of the course focuses on the following areas:

• Applying evidence-based practice to psychiatric-mental health nursing
• Evaluating the effectiveness of psychiatric-mental health interventions
• Developing advanced nursing skills in psychiatric-mental health nursing
• Analyzing and synthesizing complex patient data to inform patient-centered care
• Examining ethical and legal issues in psychiatric-mental health nursing
• Exploring leadership and management principles in psychiatric-mental health nursing

Assessment

Assessment in the NR-668 course is typically based on a combination of formative and summative evaluations. The formative evaluation is ongoing and is used to provide students with feedback on their performance throughout the course. The summative evaluation is conducted at the end of the course and is used to determine whether students have met the course objectives.

The following assessment methods are commonly used in the NR-668 course:

• Clinical evaluation: Students are evaluated based on their performance in the clinical setting, including their ability to conduct a comprehensive psychiatric-mental health assessment, develop and implement a patient-centered treatment plan, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
• Case studies: Students are required to analyze and synthesize complex patient data and develop a patient-centered treatment plan based on evidence-based practice.
• Seminar and workshop participation: Students are evaluated based on their participation in seminars and workshops related to advanced nursing skills in psychiatric-mental health nursing, ethical and legal issues, and leadership and management principles.

• Written assignments: Students are required to submit written assignments related to the course content, including a reflection paper on their clinical experience and a final project on a selected topic in psychiatric-mental health nursing.

NR-667 FNP Capstone Practicum and Intensive

Benefits

The NR-668 course provides numerous benefits to nursing students. These benefits include:

• Hands-on experience: The practicum component of the course provides students with the opportunity to work alongside experienced psychiatric-mental health nurses and apply their knowledge and skills in a clinical setting.
• Professional networking: The NR-668 course allows students to establish professional relationships with psychiatric-mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare professionals, which can be beneficial in their future careers.
• Career advancement: The NR-668 course provides students with advanced nursing skills and competencies in psychiatric-mental health nursing, which can enhance their employability and career advancement opportunities.
• Personal growth: The NR-668 course provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their clinical experiences and develop a deeper understanding of the impact of mental illness on individuals, families, and communities.

Challenges

The NR-668 course also presents several challenges to nursing students. These challenges include:

• Emotional strain: Working with patients who have mental illness can be emotionally challenging and stressful for nursing students.
• Ethical dilemmas: Psychiatric-mental health nursing presents unique ethical dilemmas that nursing students may find difficult to navigate.
• Time constraints: Balancing the demands of the NR-668 course with other academic and personal responsibilities can be challenging for nursing students.
• Clinical placement availability: Securing a clinical placement in a healthcare facility that specializes in psychiatric-mental health nursing can be difficult, particularly in areas where such facilities are limited.

Conclusion

The NR-668 course is an essential component of nursing education for students interested in pursuing a career in psychiatric-mental health nursing. The course provides students with practical experience and advanced nursing skills and competencies in psychiatric-mental health nursing, as well as the opportunity to reflect on their clinical experiences and personal growth. While the NR-668 course presents several challenges to nursing students, the benefits far outweigh the challenges, making it a valuable educational experience for future psychiatric-mental health nurses.