NUR4002

Rural counselling ( 6 points, SCA Band 0, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Ms Margaret Lynn

Offered:
Gippsland First semester 2005 (OCL)
MILDURA First semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: This unit aims to provide the student with an insight into how psychological problems are compounded by the isolation, loneliness, and marginalisation, associated with rurality. Clients can present with a diverse range of challenging issues necessitating discretional judgement, sensitivity and possible referral via formal or informal networks. The unit equips students to respond effectively without themselves becoming emotionally distressed. The unit incorporates the impact of self on the counselling role and the legal and ethical implications of providing counselling support in small communities.

Objectives: Having completed this unit it is expected that the student will be able to: 1. discuss the context of counselling as it relates to rural and remote nursing practice; 2. differentiate the skills associated with counselling practice; 3. demonstrate appreciation of the impact of self on the counselling role; 4. competently apply basic counselling skills to appropriate situations; 5. demonstrate awareness of formal and informal referral services and networks that may constitute a rural helping system for both their clients and themselves; 6. explain the legal and ethical implications associated with maintaining treatment boundaries when providing counselling support in small communities; and 7. demonstrate appreciation of the diversity of issues that may need to be considered when counselling people who live in rural and remote communities.

Assessment: Assignment: 30% + Oral assignment: 20% + Examination: 50%

Prerequisites: NUR1401, NUR2104, NUR3104, NUR3106