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Mental Health Nursing RN/RPN (Certificate)

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Credential:
Durham College Certificate
Code:
MHN

Durham College Certificate

Program Description

This online program is based on the Standards for Mental Health Nursing in Canada, and combines in-depth theoretical knowledge with application to clinical practice. Upon completion, you will be prepared to assess, provide interventions, and advocate for mental health clients in a variety of institutional and community settings.

This certificate is comprised of five core theory courses and a choice between a capstone course or practicum.

Note: Students must sign on to DC Connect using their student number and password (Birth date MMDDYY) to access the online courses. You will not be able to access the course until the start date. Please allow 24 hours after registration for the system to update.

Admission Requirements

  • Current registration as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
  • Current (within one year) BCLS certificate prior to beginning a clinical component.
  • Clear Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for Field Placement. Without this, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency and may be unable to complete the requirements of the program
  • You must maintain an overall average of 60% or a GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate
  • A minimum of 25% of courses must be completed through Durham College.

Program Admission Students are required to complete and submit this form to indicate that the program's admission requirements have been met.

Click to access the Program Admission Form

This form must be submitted and an Admission Acceptance Letter received prior to registering for any courses.

Program Of Study

Students are required to print or save a copy of the Program of Study when beginning the program. This document contains critical details about program progression and graduation requirements specific to the academic year in which your program was started.

Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.

Students who began this program prior to the current academic year may contact the Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.

Field Placement

This program contains a field placement option.

For details, including paperwork submission deadlines, please visit the Field Placement Page, and for specific program-related field placement questions, please review the Healthcare Field Placement FAQs.

Please note that it can take a considerable amount of time to secure a preceptored placement opportunity.

Please contact the Professional and Part-Time Learning Placement Officer at pplplacements@durhamcollege.ca at least two terms (6-8 months) in advance of the term you are hoping to complete the placement for this program.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be equipped to:

  • Provide competent, individualized, professional care through the engagement of the client in a therapeutic relationship
  • Perform holistic, collaborative mental health assessment of the client using the diagnostic and monitoring function
  • Conduct and evaluate therapeutic nursing interventions
  • Recognize and manage rapidly changing mental health situations in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
  • Facilitate the learning needs of the client with mental health challenges, through the teaching-coaching function
  • Advocate for quality mental health care practices for the client within legal, ethical, social and cultural frameworks
  • Participate in political activities which promote continuous quality improvement of mental health services within organizations and communities

Career Options

Potential career and industry options may include:

  • Mental health nurse
  • Hospitals
  • Health care centres
  • Community organizations
  • Correctional services
  • Post-secondary institutions

Program Related Questions? Call 905.721.3052

If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit the Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.

Currently offered

Course Title Location/
Delivery Method
NURS 2556Crisis Intervention in Mental Health NursingDistance Education
NURS 2557Issues & Ethics in Mental Health NursingDistance Education
NURS 3558Mental Health Nursing CapstoneDistance Education
NURS 3557Mental Health Nursing PracticumDistance Education
NURS 1556Mental Health Nursing, IntroductionDistance Education
NURS 2566Special Topics in Mental Health NursingDistance Education
NURS 2558Therapeutic Techniques & Group TherapyDistance Education