Mental Health Nursing

Course code NURS 3160

Credit 6.0

Length 90.0 hours

Course outline View

This course focuses on mental health, mental illness, and addictions in the Canadian context. Psychiatric disorders are discussed with a focus on the applications of the core concepts of relational nursing practice. Examples of these core concepts are: the determinants of health and well-being; therapeutic, interprofessional collaboration with clients and families; cultural safety and humility; and trauma-informed practice. These core concepts will be integrated throughout the course.

Prerequisites

(NURS 2261, NURS 2263, NURS 2264, NURS 2265, NURS 2266), or (NURS 1357, NURS 1358, NURS 1359, NURS 1399).

Missing prerequisites?

Learn more about VCC's academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

What you will learn

  • ● Introduction to mental health in Canada
    ● Culture and mental health.
    ● Mental status assessment, nursing diagnosis and intervention.
    ● Relational inquiry, motivational interviewing and therapeutic use of self.
    ● Trauma informed practice and relational approaches to therapeutic interviewing
    ● Etiology, care and assessment of persons with selected mental health disorders.
    ● Psychopharmacology and non- biological treatments.
    ● Epigenetics, addiction, and substance related disorders.
    ● Sex/Gender, variations of gender expression and identity.

How to register

This course is offered as part of a VCC program only.

Course schedules

Select your program to see the available course schedules.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
42384 January 7, 2026
to April 15, 2026
Lecture VCC Broadway Building B See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule.

CRN# Duration Delivery Location
60632 May 13, 2026
to July 31, 2026
Lecture
Lab
VCC Broadway Building B See full schedule

Online courses listed without scheduled meeting times can be completed on your own schedule.

Contact us

If you have any question, please email at advising@vcc.ca.

† This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.