PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 1979,.WHITBY FREE PRESS Post-graduate nursing-course at Whitby is only one of its kind inOntario Whitby Psychia trie Hospi- tal is offering a Post-Diplo- ma Certificate Course in Psychiatrie Nursing for Reg- istered Nurses, that is the only one of its kind in Ont- ario. Developed and taught by Holly Bennett and Bonnie Ginter, both instructors in Whitby's Educational Serv- ices Department, the Psychi- atrie Nursing Course was originally co-sponsored by the hospital and Durham College. Due to fiscal constraints, the College was unable to continue funding the progra- mme at this time and Whitby is currently the sole adminis- trator of the course. Before designing this spe- cialized course, extensive research was undertaken in order to determine what edu- cational resources were cur- rently available in the men- tal health field. On the basis of this, a comprehensive course was established in' res'ponse 'to the inereasing demand for specialized skills in psychia- trie nursing. Combining theory and cli- nical application, the 16- week course provides a total learning experience for par- ticipants. Areas of study include comparative theories of per- sonality development; pred- isposing and precipitating factors; crisis intervention theories and techniques; nursing process, therapeutie modalities, counselling, the- rapeutic groups, community psychiatry, outreach pro- grammes and professional development. Clinical expe- rience is provided in a varie- ty . of mental health care agencies. Prior to. the commence- ment of the first course, approval was granted by the Council of .Regents a body of the Ministry of Education responsible for the-sanction- ing of all courses developed at the community college level. While the theoretical cons- truction of the programme remains unchanged, some modifications will be made on an on-going basis accord- ing to the input received from the clinical facilities, the course participants, and néew information as resear- ched and published. Two of the programme's graduates who are employed at Whitby Psychiatrie Hospi- tal, have found the course instruction invaluable in their work. Louise Joyce has been on her ward for less than a month, but has already dis- cove.red the skills learned in the course, useful. "I feel my interviewing and counselling approaches are more effective, thanks to the course", explained Miss Joyce. "Also, my understan- ding of the psychiatrie nurs- ing process and planning for care, is more complete". Bob Clarkson, another gra- duate of the programme, said confidence in his profes- sional abilities has increased as a result of taking the course. "I found the experi- ence gained through expo- sure to various theories and therapeutic groups very beneficial". Admission requirements for the programme include Ontario Provincial Registra- tion; current employment in the field of psychiatry or completion of the Psychia- trie Nursing Component of a Basic Diploma Programme, within the last five years; and completion of a written, pre-course examination. Course brochures, applica- tion forms and additional information are available from Whitby Psychiatrie Hospital; telephone 668-5881, Ext. 253, or Durham College (416) 576-0210 Ext. 249. A third course is scheduled to commence September 4, 1979 and cosponsorship with Durham College resumes at that -time. The first class from Nov- ember 1978 to March 1979 had 11 graduates, of which six are now employed at the Whitby Psychiatrie Hostpi- tai, two at. the North Bay Psychiatric Hospitalrand two at the psychiatric unit of the Peterborough General Hos- pital. Nine students are in the course which ends in June,. and the hospital hopes for a maximum enrolment of 15 in September. Inquiries have been recei- ved from across the country, and one girl in the present course is, from Prince Edward Island. Graduates presently emp- loyed at the Whitby Psychia- trie Hospital are Louise Joyce, Bob Clarkson, Gloria Dolishny, Bev Ottman, Carmel Stratton and Jim Logan. Hitch-N-Plow TRAILERHITCHS and ACCESSORIES WH IT13Y Hwy.2 OSHAWA Gus Brown Motors Burns : 10111 Industral Dr. ndustrial Dr. Unit 6 Jnit - 6 whitby Consumers Dr. PHONE 666-1819 FIND THE PRO'S NURSING COURSE IN PROGRESS Nuclear protesters in Whitby jail 6ý