Course

Psychiatric Nursing in Substance Use and Addictions

Faculty
Health Sciences
Department
Nursing - Psychiatric
Course code
PNUR 4585
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
32
Method(s) of instruction
Online
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course will provide students with knowledge related to working with clients with substance use disorders including concurrent disordered clients. Students will explore the historical and cultural contexts of addiction, the co-occurrence of mental health disorders with substance use, and the theoretical paradigms and principles of substance use disorders. Identification, screening, and assessment techniques are explored using the Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework. Common co-occurring physiological disorders associated with substance use disorders will be presented. The role of Harm Reduction, the Recovery Model, Motivational Interviewing, and the Transtheoretical Change Model when assessing and planning psychiatric nursing care for individuals will be reviewed. The use of treatment models and the role and responsibilities of the psychiatric nurse when caring for diverse populations will be explored.
Course content
  • Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework
  • Theories of substance use and models of care
  • Therapeutic use of self, attitudes, bias, knowledge, and skills for psychiatric nursing practice in substance use and addictions
  • Psychiatric nursing process in the care of individuals with substance use and addictions
  • Pharmacology related to substance use and addictions
Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as discussions, group work, case studies, reading assignments, and remote/virtual meetings.

Means of assessment

The course evaluation is consistent with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.  An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course in the Instructor Course Outline. This is a graded course.

Learning outcomes

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

  1. Compare theoretical models of substance use disorders;
  2. Explain the theory and principles of the nursing process while utilizing the Psychiatric Nursing Conceptual Framework;
  3. Discuss the psychiatric nurse's attitude, knowledge, skill, and ethical duties when working with individuals with substance use disorders;
  4. Explain historical and cultural diversity concepts related to substance use and addictions;
  5. Describe various populations experiencing substance use and addictions, such as adolescents, older adults, Indigenous communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals; 
  6. Explain common co-occurring physiological disorders and substances of abuse, including intoxication and withdrawal syndromes;
  7. Demonstrate knowledge of Harm Reduction, Recovery Model, Motivational Interviewing, and the Change Model in substance use disorder treatment.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into:

LPN Access to Psychiatric Nursing Degree Program or

Psychiatric Nursing Degree Completion Program

Corequisites

PNUR 3700 and PNUR 4576 (for students registered in LPN Access to Psychiatric Nursing Degree Program only)

 

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 4585
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) No credit

Course Offerings

Winter 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
32
Currently enrolled
32
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
7
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

PNUR 4585 090 is restricted to BSPN Degree Completion students. It is strongly recommended that students take PNUR 3700 prior to taking other PNUR Degree Completion courses. Offered in an online asynchronous format.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
32
Currently enrolled
21
Remaining seats:
11
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

PNUR 4585 091 is restricted to LPN Access to BSPN students only. Offered in an online asynchronous format.