NUR5006 Mental health nursing in contemporary practice
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
NUR5006 Mental health nursing in contemporary practice is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs NUR5033 and NUR5002 and unlocks 1 unit, leading on to 2 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 40%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
No reviews yetNo reviews yet. Be the first to review NUR5006.
Requisites
Before NUR5006
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
After NUR5006
1 unit list NUR5006 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Must be enrolled in M6016
Overview
This unit builds on concepts learned in Contemporary Nursing Practice 1 and 2, and will introduce new knowledge for developing your clinical nursing skills when working with people experiencing mental health conditions.
People experiencing mental health conditions can present to any healthcare setting, therefore nurses require the skills to engage in meaningful therapeutic relationships to work effectively with people with a mental health condition, carers, families and their supporters.
You will develop therapeutic skills to support holistic assessment and identify appropriate interventions used in providing person-centred and recovery focused care to promote positive outcomes for service users. Clinical placement will provide you with the opportunity for translation of theory to the clinical practice environment.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Immersive |
| Second semester | Clayton | Immersive |
Assessment
- Case Study analysis (2,000 words)Written30%
- Final scheduled assessment (2 hours and 10 minutes)ExaminationCompetency hurdle40%
- Clinical performance (120 hours)Work integratedCompetency hurdle30%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Examine factors that impact a person’s mental health and identify barriers to receiving care.
- 2
Apply relevant mental health legislation when caring for people with mental health conditions.
- 3
Plan and prioritise person-centred nursing interventions for people who are experiencing mental health conditions.
- 4
Identify and explain the communication skills and qualities required to develop and maintain a therapeutic relationship
- 5
Demonstrate practice at a beginning level in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registered nurse standards for practice, Code of conduct for nurses and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of ethics for nurses.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials30 hours
8 hours per week of teacher facilitated and self-directed learning including tutorials, simulation tutorials and online activities.
Please refer to Moodle for tutorial types and requirements.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Adam Searby
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Adam Searby
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for NUR5006?
You need NUR5033 and NUR5002 before you enrol; and NUR5010 and NUR5007 before or alongside it. Enrolment rules also apply.
What can I take after NUR5006?
NUR5006 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including NUR5004. Those lead on to 2 units in all.
When is NUR5006 offered?
In 2026, NUR5006 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does NUR5006 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 40% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.