LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
Practical Nursing Program
CEN 113R Mental Health Nursing Clinical Assignments
Assignment 1: Process Recording
The student will demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with mentally ill clients and/or
clients with substance abuse issues.
Students must complete one process recording. The process recording will be analyzed by the student with the
assistance of the instructor for the following:
Behaviors common to the diagnosed disorder
Coping mechanisms displayed by the client
Communication techniques utilized by the student to elicit information
This assignment should be typed or neatly written and submitted to the instructor on the Monday following the completion
of the rotation. Assignments are due no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening students.
Assignment 2: Journal
The student will evaluate and reflect upon the clinical experience. Write this reflection in at least 1 paragraph but no more
than 1 page no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening students.
Suggestions to think about as you reflect are such things as:
How did the client manifest signs and symptoms of their diagnosis? Were these what you expected? If not, what
was different?
What is the client’s perception of his/her discharge plan? Is this perception realistic for the client? Is it consistent
with the medical team’s plan? If there is a difference, why do you think there is a difference between the two?
Original: 2/00
Reviewed and Revised: 09/00, 05/01,
01/02, 10/03, 05/05, 1/07, 9/09, 3/11
, What activities did your client participate in? How did he or she benefit from this activity? If he or she did not
participate in any activity, what activity does he prefer? Is this an activity that can/should be provided? Explain your
answer.
Describe the therapeutic milieu. Discuss two things that you can identify within the milieu that are beneficial to the
client.
Discuss one thing that concerned you about the facility/environment. Describe a benefit offered by this
facility/environment. What is one improvement that you would like to suggest. How would you do this considering
limitations in staffing and/or finances?
What did you learn from this experience that you did not expect? What did you learn about yourself as a person
and a professional from this experience?
Assignment 3: Mental Health Clinical – Client Data Collection
The student will demonstrate a holistic approach to the client’s care through knowledge of diagnoses, symptoms and
medications.
The student will plan nursing care in accordance with the nursing process and critical thinking.
Complete and hand in one data collection form no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening
students.
Original: 2/00
Reviewed and Revised: 09/00, 05/01,
01/02, 10/03, 05/05, 1/07, 9/09, 3/11
Practical Nursing Program
CEN 113R Mental Health Nursing Clinical Assignments
Assignment 1: Process Recording
The student will demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with mentally ill clients and/or
clients with substance abuse issues.
Students must complete one process recording. The process recording will be analyzed by the student with the
assistance of the instructor for the following:
Behaviors common to the diagnosed disorder
Coping mechanisms displayed by the client
Communication techniques utilized by the student to elicit information
This assignment should be typed or neatly written and submitted to the instructor on the Monday following the completion
of the rotation. Assignments are due no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening students.
Assignment 2: Journal
The student will evaluate and reflect upon the clinical experience. Write this reflection in at least 1 paragraph but no more
than 1 page no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening students.
Suggestions to think about as you reflect are such things as:
How did the client manifest signs and symptoms of their diagnosis? Were these what you expected? If not, what
was different?
What is the client’s perception of his/her discharge plan? Is this perception realistic for the client? Is it consistent
with the medical team’s plan? If there is a difference, why do you think there is a difference between the two?
Original: 2/00
Reviewed and Revised: 09/00, 05/01,
01/02, 10/03, 05/05, 1/07, 9/09, 3/11
, What activities did your client participate in? How did he or she benefit from this activity? If he or she did not
participate in any activity, what activity does he prefer? Is this an activity that can/should be provided? Explain your
answer.
Describe the therapeutic milieu. Discuss two things that you can identify within the milieu that are beneficial to the
client.
Discuss one thing that concerned you about the facility/environment. Describe a benefit offered by this
facility/environment. What is one improvement that you would like to suggest. How would you do this considering
limitations in staffing and/or finances?
What did you learn from this experience that you did not expect? What did you learn about yourself as a person
and a professional from this experience?
Assignment 3: Mental Health Clinical – Client Data Collection
The student will demonstrate a holistic approach to the client’s care through knowledge of diagnoses, symptoms and
medications.
The student will plan nursing care in accordance with the nursing process and critical thinking.
Complete and hand in one data collection form no later than 8:00 a.m. for Day students and 5:00 p.m. for Evening
students.
Original: 2/00
Reviewed and Revised: 09/00, 05/01,
01/02, 10/03, 05/05, 1/07, 9/09, 3/11
