Course

Psychiatric Nursing of Children and Adolescents

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Nursing - Psychiatric
Course code
PNUR 4573
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
40
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
In this course, students will explore mental health disorders specific to children and adolescents, differentiating them from those seen in adults and examining them through a holistic, systems-based lens. Students will examine the etiology, pharmacological treatments, and psychosocial interventions associated with common child and adolescent mental health disorders. The course also explores current evidence-informed practices for prevention, assessment, child/adolescent interview skills, and family-centered interventions to support youth and their families experiencing mental health disorders.
Course content
  • Foundations of child and youth mental health; development theory; adolescent brain development; family systems and parenting styles
  • Attachment theory, trauma, and environment; trauma-informed care; impact of seclusion/restraint; strategies to reduce re-traumatization
  • Therapeutic engagement and assessment; confidentiality and boundaries; family assessment techniques; standardized tools
  • Legal, ethical, and cultural considerations; Mental Health Act, Infants Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act; cultural safety and social determinants
  • Common mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders:
    • Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder
    • Trauma- and stress-related disorders
    • Mood disorders (depressive and bipolar)
    • Schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders
    • Substance use and concurrent disorders
    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit disorder
    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and impulse-control disorders
    • Intellectual disability, prenatal alcohol exposure, and specific learning disorders
  • Special topics: LGBTQ+ youth, self-injury, suicide risk, family-centered care, early intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Nursing roles and interventions; psychiatric nursing diagnoses; care planning; pharmacological considerations; evidence-informed modalities; levels of prevention. 

 

 
Learning activities

In this course, students may engage in the following learning activities: discussion, group work, case studies, peer-review, role play/simulation, project work, and audio-visual aids.


Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a letter-graded course.

Learning outcomes

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

  1. Differentiate the unique needs of children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges from those of adults;
  2. Describe the influence of child and adolescent brain development, developmental theories (e.g., Erikson, Bronfenbrenner), and attachment styles on mental health and psychopathology;
  3. Identify risk and protective factors, contributing influences, and the association between child development and the onset of mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders;
  4. Evaluate how seclusion, restraint, and other environmental factors can impact vulnerable populations;
  5. Identify potential trauma triggers within healthcare settings to inform the integration of trauma-informed strategies that prevent  re-traumatization of vulnerable populations;
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of a holistic mental health assessment, standardized tools, and interviewing techniques for children, adolescents, and families;
  7. Formulate psychiatric nursing diagnoses, intervention plans, and health-promotion strategies across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention; and
  8. Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive, family-centered care and to support positive mental health outcomes for children, adolescents, and their families.

 

Textbook materials

None

Requisites

Prerequisites

Students registered in the BSPN Degree program - PNUR 3401 and PNUR 3403 and PNUR 3421 and PNUR 3430 and PNUR 3441 and PNUR 3462.

Students registered in the LPN Access to Psychiatric Nursing Degree program - PNUR 3402 and PNUR 3171 and PNUR 4575.

There are no prerequisites for students currently active in the Psychiatric Nursing Degree Completion program. 

Students in the BSPN, LPN Access, or Degree Completion programs are required to maintain a minimum grade of 65% (C+) in all courses in order to progress in the program. 

 

 

Corequisites

Students currently active in the BSPN Degree program are required to take PNUR 4501 and PNUR 4521 and PNUR 4562 and PNUR 4572.

Students currently active in the LPN Access to Psychiatric Nursing Degree program are required to take PNUR 3321 and PNUR 3421 and PHIL 3125. 

There are no corequisites for students currently active in the Psychiatric Nursing Degree Completion program.

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for PNUR 4573
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) No credit

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
40
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
40
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. C
Room
C1003
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

PNUR 4573 001 is restricted to BSPN students.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
32
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
32
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

PNUR 4573 091 is offered on-line and is restricted to LPN Access to BSPN students. All course activities will be asynchronous. Students will not be required to be online at specific scheduled times.