Mental Health Disorders
6 Credits (ECTS)
Mental Health Disorders
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
Module Description
This module focuses on the most commonly encountered mental health disorders and the essential nursing care required for patients with these conditions.
It covers a range of disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, providing in-depth knowledge on their symptoms, treatment options, and nursing interventions.
Additionally, this module emphasizes the importance of understanding and adhering to Maltese legislation related to mental health care.
By integrating legal and ethical considerations, the module ensures that nursing professionals are well-equipped to deliver compassionate, compliant, and effective care to patients with mental health disorders in Malta.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- Possess a minimum qualification at MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing.
Upon completion of this programme the candidate will have obtained a total of 4600 hours, half of which will be clinical hours and one third theory as per EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at either:
– Academic IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
OR
– OET with a minimum of a ‘B’ grade in speaking and a minimum of ‘C+’ in writing, reading, and listening.
Please ensure that you have all requirements in place, as stipulated on the website of the Council of Nurses and Midwives.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
- Nurses who are in possession of an MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing, who need to upgrade their knowledge, skills, and competences in order to apply for registration with the Maltese Council of Nurses and Midwives as first level nurses.
- Non-EU trained nurses who are in possession of a minimum MQF Level 5 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing, seeking a bridging course to enable them to apply for registration with the Maltese Council of Nurses and Midwives as first level nurses.
Career Paths
The programme aims to get nurses who are non-EU nationals adequately trained so that they can register as first level nurses in Malta.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
- Work Placement Clinical Practices
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Additional Info
Reading for the entire Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies as presented herein costs €5,000.*
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
*** For the price of individual modules, please contact the IDEA Academy team.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Critically analyse and apply the principles of patient assessment based on advanced knowledge of nursing patients with mental health needs.
- Differentiate the underlying biopsychosocial spiritual connections affecting mental health and the clinical manifestations of psychiatric conditions.
- Formulate and implement safe, effective, ethical, person-centred, holistic, evidence-based care and interventions for the psychiatric patient, including health promotion.
- Critically appraise the effectiveness of nursing care and treatment of patients with mental health needs and make adjustments to care as needed.
- Demonstrate effective communication with patients with mental health needs and with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary care team.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- The responsibilities of the nurse within the Mental Health Setting as established by ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM).
- The legal and ethical considerations and practices in mental heath care: Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta.
- The Mental Health Act.
- Concepts of mental health and mental ill health.
- Principles of Basic Clinical Nursing Skills practices as applicable in a Mental Health Setting.
- Types of mental health disorders and the applicable nursing care.
- Identify the principles and models of effective communication.
- Safety measures to protect patients, staff and visitors in a mental health setting.
- Beliefs and cultural practices influencing mental health care.
- The stigma of mental illness and its potential effect on mentally ill people.
- The psychosocial needs of mentally ill people.
- Multidisciplinary teams and collaboration to promote mental wellbeing.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Develop a positive rehabilitative attitude thus facilitating re-integration into the community of people with mental health issues, according to the ethical and legal framework of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta.
- Use appropriate management skills in risk and/or a psychiatric emergency.
- Apply safety procedures in a mental health setting.
- Provide holistic care for patients with mental health issues.
- Ensure patient compliance to treatment taking into consideration the effects of stigma upon patient care.
- Educate patients upon various aspects of their mental health condition and promote wellbeing, social inclusion and independence.
- Analyse the benefits and implications of therapeutic practices in mental health care.
- Recognise the differences in beliefs and cultural practices in mental health care practices.
- Evaluate best practices in nursing care in a mental health care context.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients in a mental health setting and to communicate with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.