Minimum Course Hours: 45

Course Description

Learners develop their knowledge of the continuum of care for clients across the lifespan in community settings, including maternity clients, newborns, children, youth, and clients with mental health and substance use conditions. Learners explore pathophysiology and nursing care of clients requiring public health, home health care, primary care, rehabilitation, and supportive services in the community. Learners also explore cultural diversity in healing along with the incorporation of evidence-informed research and practice.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all Level 2 courses and Consolidated Practice Experience 2

Corequisites: Professional Communication 3; Integrated Nursing Practice 3; Professional Practice 3; Health Promotion 3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss the current British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) LPN Professional Standards, Practice Standards, and Entry-Level Competencies that are relevant to community settings, including maternity clients, newborns, children, youth, and clients with mental health and/or substance use conditions.
   • 1.1 Explore the limitations of involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act of BC in the context of community care.
   • 1.2 Discuss the practical nurse’s role in providing care for clients experiencing health challenges across the lifespan in community settings, including community/public health, home health, rehabilitative services, and supportive services.
2. Describe common physiologic variations in antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum clients.^[1]
   • 2.1 Review the pathophysiology of pregnancy, labour, and delivery.
   • 2.2 Identify when escalation of care is required.
3. Describe the pathophysiology of common childhood illnesses and disabilities.^[1]
   • 3.1 Discuss the nursing management of the client with select childhood illnesses.
   • 3.2 Identify variances requiring escalation of care.
4. Describe the pathophysiology, evidence-based treatments, and nursing management of clients with common mental health conditions across the lifespan receiving care in the community.^[1]
   • 4.1 Describe the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (most current version) in the classification of mental illnesses.
   • 4.2 Describe the continuum of substance use conditions, including differentiation of substance-induced symptoms and pre-existing mental health conditions.
   • 4.3 Describe risk factors and signs and symptoms associated with substance use.
   • 4.4 Describe adjunct therapies to promote holistic care for the person experiencing mental health and/or substance use conditions.
5. Describe medication classifications, actions, interactions and nursing implications relative to common mental health conditions.
   • 5.1 Discuss the effects, uses, indications, and contraindications for commonly prescribed mood-stabilizing, antidepressant, depressant, anxiolytic, stimulant, and antipsychotic medications.
   • 5.2 Discuss relapse prevention agents.
6. Describe the continuity of care for clients experiencing addictions and/or concurrent disorders.
   • 6.1 Discuss theoretical approaches to substance use, abuse, addiction, and dependence.
   • 6.2 Explain models of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery.
   • 6.3 Identify expected outcome criteria for acute withdrawal and recovery of substance-use disorders.
7. Analyze how cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racist practice impact health and healing.
   • 7.1 Discuss the stigma associated with living with a mental illness, physical disability, and/or developmental disability.
8. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by accessing, assessing, and synthesizing current, relevant resources to inform nursing care in community settings.
   • 8.1 Use evidence-based research, practice, and guidelines to supplement learning.

Course Concepts

Course outcomes will be met through examination and exploration of the following:

• Care in the context of community settings
• Relevant BCCNM professional standards and practice standards
• Identification of variances requiring escalation in care for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum clients
• Developmental and physical disabilities in the pediatric population
• Identification of variances requiring escalation in care for the newborn, child, and youth
• Common mental health conditions, including:
  • Alterations in cognition
  • Alterations in mood
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Disruptive impulse control, and conduct disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive related disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Substance related and addictive disorders
  • Trauma- and stressor-related disorders
  • Concurrent disorders
  • Dual diagnosis disorders
  • Physiologic alterations associated with mental illness
• Nursing management:
  • Assessment (holistic assessment and data collection, including lab values and diagnostics)
  • Pharmacology
  • Identifying real and potential problems
  • Nursing diagnoses
  • Planning and documenting of specific nursing interventions
  • Implementing culturally safe care
  • Evaluation of care
  • Interprofessional collaboration
  • Health promotion and client teaching
• Pharmacological management of mental health disorders
• Cycle of addiction
• Medical detoxification
• Risk factors associated with substance use including communicable diseases, delirium tremens, liver impairment, neurological changes, overdose, pancreatitis, precipitated withdrawal and opiate withdrawals, sedation, seizures, wounds and infections
• Psychosocial rehabilitation
• Cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Traditional healing practices for mental illness
• Traditional healing practices for maternal and child health
• Cultural diversity in health and healing
• Evidence-informed research and practice; best practice guidelines