Leader: Associate Professor Trish Martin

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will explore the social, political, legal, ethical and practice context of care for mentally disordered offenders. Clinical issues in forensic psychiatry and the needs of forensic mental health patients will be discussed. The knowledge and skills required by forensic mental health nurses to assess and care for mentally disordered offenders will be developed.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit the student will be able to:

1. Identify the factors (including historic, social, legal, medical, ethical) that shape forensic mental health care;
2. Identify the specialist clinical nursing issues (including knowledge, skills, policy, practice, contextual) in forensic psychiatry;
3. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required by forensic mental health nurses in the assessment and care of mentally disordered offenders.

Assessment

Workshop assessment task 10%
Workshop reflective journal containing three case examples (1000 wds each) 30%
Essay (3500 - 4000 wds) 60%

Off Campus Attendance Requirements

One day on-campus workshop.