NURSING 780 : Mental Health and Addiction Nursing

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester One (1253) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduces a person-focused theoretical framework to explore mental health and addiction problems in healthcare. Conceptualises mental health and addiction problems as frequently co-occurring. Engagement, assessment, collaborative solution focused interventions, referral and care coordination will be explored.

Course Overview

This course of the MNSc introduces the student to the theory and practice of nursing people with mental health and/or addiction problems through developing a socio-historical-cultural understanding of mental health. Students will develop skills in how to engage with and assess clients, develop collaborative solution-focused interventions and to work with the healthcare team for care coordination and best client outcomes. 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator:
Colette Adrian 
Email: c.adrian@auckland.ac.nz 
Course Administrators:
Wendy Dixon
Email: wendy.dixon@auckland.ac.nz
and
Tracey Wright
Email: tracey.wright@auckland.ac.nz

Practicum Placement Coordinator:
Natalie Roffey
Email: n.mason@auckland.ac.nz

Programme Director MNSc 
 Dr Michelle Honey
 Email: m.honey@auckland.ac.nz 

Course Administrators are Wendy Dixon. Email: wendy.dixon@auckland.ac.nz and Tracey Wright. Email: tracey.wright@auckland.ac.nz  

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Master of Nursing Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of of the effects of adverse life events on mental distress and/or addiction (Capability 1.1, 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1)
  2. Critique the social and economic impact of mental health and addiction diagnoses (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 4.1 and 5.3)
  3. Critically reflect on the ways in which different theoretical approaches or paradigms inform contemporary mental health and addictions care (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.2 and 5.3)
  4. Demonstrate evidenced-based engagement, assessment and care that promotes recovery and citizenship for persons experiencing mental distress and/or addiction (Capability 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2 and 7.3)
  5. Analyse the interrelationships of coexisting mental health, addiction and physical health problems (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2)
  6. Integrate cultural safety and diversity principles in the care of people with mental health and addiction problems (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 7.1 and 7.3)
  7. Demonstrate effective, evidenced-based interpersonal skills with people experiencing mental distress and/or addiction (Capability 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2 and 8.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignment 1 30% Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 30% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Coursework
Client Assessment 20% Individual Coursework
Clinical Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Assignment 1
Assignment 2
Test
Client Assessment
Clinical
All components of the course work MUST be completed/submitted to gain an overall pass for the course. Students are required to meet the clinical competency requirements to gain an overall pass in the course.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 30 hours of lectures, 30 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 240 hours of clinical placement.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials/clinics to complete components of the course.

Some lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials may be available as recordings.

The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.

Attendance on campus is required for the test.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a block delivery.

Attendance at clinical placements is required.

Attendance is expected at scheduled online activities including tutorials to complete components of the course.

The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials/lectures and these may be recorded.

Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.

This course runs to extended dates to the University semester timetable and completion dates and deadlines are indicated.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Text: Procter, N. G., Hamer, H. P., McGarry, D., Wilson, R. L., and Froggatt, T. (2017). Mental health: A Person-centred approach. (2nd ed). Cambridge University Press.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Based on student feedback, extra supports will be provided so that clinical lecturers give consistent information to students about clinical assessment requirements. 

Other Information

Fitness to practice:
In order to complete the requirements for this course and the MNSc degree, a student must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements for this programme, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy. Information about fitness to practise, the Fitness to Practise policy and procedures can be found at https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and- administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-framework.html.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.