NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

Syllabus

Student Support and Calendar Information

So you have all key information available to you off-line, it is highly recommended that you print the following items for your reference:

• This Syllabus, including the Course Schedule that is linked on this page as a PDF
• Course Calendar
• Student Support

Credit Hours

• 11 weeks

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Walden University assigns credit hours based on the number and type of assignments that enable students to achieve the course learning objectives. In general, each semester credit equals about 42 hours of total student work and each quarter credit equals about 28 hours of total student work. This time requirement represents an approximate average for undergraduate work and the minimum expectations for graduate work. The number and kind of activities estimated to fulfill time requirements will vary by degree level and student learning style and by student familiarity with the delivery method and course content.

Course Description – NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

At times, psychotherapy is not enough to alleviate the emotional difficulties that some patients face. To that end, psychopharmacologic approaches are needed. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) must have a strong basis in psychopharmacology, extending from a prior education in pharmacology, to make appropriate medication choices for their patients. Learners in this course consider psychopharmacologic approaches to major mental health disorders including but not limited to major depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, as well as psychotic disorders. Learners explore key considerations associated with medication selection, monitoring of efficacy, and long-term management. NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

Course Prerequisites

PMHNP Program Core Coures & NURS-6521

Course Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will:

1. Evaluate foundational neuroscience as it relates to caring for clients with psychiatric disorders across the lifespan
2. Assess mechanisms of action of medications used to treat a variety of psychiatric conditions
3. Compare evidence-based practices to select appropriate psychopharmacologic agents
4. Synthesize pathophysiology and health assessment concepts in the psychopharmacologic treatment of psychiatric mental health disorders
5. Evaluate ethical and legal implications of prescribing psychotropic medications across the lifespan
6. Evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of psychotropic medications
7. Recommend strategies to become a social change agent for individuals with psychiatric mental health issues

Click on the following link to view the Outcomes/Alignment map for NURS 6630:

Document: NURS 6630 Outcomes/Alignment (PDF)

Course Materials

Please visit the university bookstore via your Walden student portal to ensure you are obtaining the correct version of any course texts and/or materials noted in the following section. When you receive your materials, make sure that all required items are included.

Course Texts

These course texts are available through Stahl Online Resources http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://stahlonline.cambridge.org/

Stahl, S. M. (2013). Stahl’s essential psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific basis and practical applications (4th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Stahl, S. M. (2014b). The prescriber’s guide (5th ed.). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

This course text is available through the Walden Library:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Note: If the print editions of these books are referenced here, electronic versions also may be available and may be acceptable for use in this course. If electronic versions are listed, no print versions are available.

Other readings (journal articles, websites, book excerpts, etc.) are assigned throughout the course and may be found within each week. NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

Course Readings List

The Course Readings List contains all of the required Walden Library resources for this course. Please click on the following link to access the list:

NURS 6630 Course Readings List

Media – NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

Assigned course media elements are found within the weekly Learning Resources pages and are available via a streaming media player or a hyperlink to the individual item.

Grading Criteria and Total Components of a Grade

Course grades will be based on participation (postings) and completion of assignments listed below.

Note: All assignments must be completed to pass the course.

Grading Scale

Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

90%–100% = A 80%–89%   = B 70%–79%   = C <70%   = F

Please see below for the policy on Incomplete (I) grades. NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology

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Important Note: This course contains weighted grading. Assignments are weighted differently depending on their type. The total points achieved for each assignment will be weighted based on the percentage values noted in the Weighted Total (%)column of the table that follows.

Assignment	Total Points	Weighted Total (%)
Discussions(5 Discussions, each worth 100 points) Weeks 1, 3, 7, 9 & 10	500	16%
Decision Tree(9 Discussions, each worth 100 points) Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10	900	40%
Midterm Week 6	75	22%
Final Exam Week 11	75	22%
Total	1,550	100%

* Each Discussion requires that you make one initial posting and at least two response postings to colleagues. See the Formative Evaluative Criteria for Discussion Board Assignments for posting details.

Note: All assignments must be completed in order to receive a grade for the course. NURS – 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology