Introducing IUG

1. The Islamic University of Gaza (IUG)Faculty of NursingMaster ofCommunity Mental Health Nursing "The Recovery-oriented Programme"

2. Introducing IUG IUG is an independent academic institution located in Gaza. IUG is a home to the well-planned programs, a way to the different community levels and a place for researchers and good teachers. IUG is a member of four associations: International Association of Universities, Community of Mediterranean Universities, Association of Arab Universities and Association of Islamic Universities. Vision IUG strives to be the leading Palestinian University working to develop educational and cultural standards in Palestinian society according to professional Values and Principles.

3. Mission IUG tries very hard to- provide high quality education to students, particularly those living in Gaza Strip.- encourage academic and scientific research to meet the challenges. - participate effectively in developing Palestinian community. - promote knowledge and professional skills and science advancement Organizational Structure IUG is supervised and run by several bodies: Board of Trustees, University Council, Academic Council, Faculty Councils, and Department Councils. In addition to taking decision, these bodies are responsible for planning and administering the entire activities in the university

4. Facts and Figures      There are almost 20,639 students at IUG, including 19,355 ; undergraduates and 915 postgraduates.     IUG graduates are among the most employable in Gaza Strip In the academic year 2007-2008, 7,281 of undergraduates are studying at the Faculty of Education, 2,725 at the Faculty of Engineering, 2,149 at the faculty of Commerce and 2,036 at the Faculty of Sharia & Law. The remaining are studying at the rest of the ten universities.      IUG offers students a unique learning experience. Undergraduates attend lectures, make projects and prepare a research paper in the final year.

5.      From 1993 to 2008, 19,643 people joined courses, in 1272 programs offered by the Community Service & Continuing Education, making IUG the largest provider of continuing education in the Gaza Strip.      The number of graduates at IUG has more than doubled in 30 years, from 3 in 1982 to 3,329 in 2007.      Using one of the most recent admissions systems, staff at IUG work very hard guiding students and serving the whole community as possible as they can.

6. Postgraduate Overview Islamic University of Gaza awards Master Degrees in the following areas and majors: Engineering; Science; Education; Arts; Ussol Eldeen; Sharia & Law. IUG awards Postgraduate courses of study for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.

7. IUG comprises the following programs in Master Degree:

9. Research Overview Since its establishment, IUG has improved and encouraged research. Therefore, faculty members and students should carry out research and projects within and outside the university in order to enhance creativity and scientific research at the university and in the community. IUG rewards faculty members who conduct research and promote them. Most importantly, IUG has authorized awards for scientific research in three disciplines: • Human Studies • Islamic Studies • Engineering, natural and scientific studies Other awards are considered such as the IUG award for the best faculty member and graduation research paper in addition to approving the regulation of the academic leave system.

10. Facilities & Centers Quran Center Centre for Environmental and Rural Studies IUG Campus in Khanyunis Business Research and Studies Unit Architectural Heritage Unit Quality Control Unit Materials and soil lab Projects and Research lab MVU labs Clinic Resource Development Alumni

11. IntroductionMental health nursing is a challenging branch of nursing that will require exceptional communication in skills on nurse's part. Qualities required include empathetic nature and desire to assist people with complex and varied problems. Student of this Master programme will learn to nurse and communicate with people of all ages and ranges of mental health difficulties and will have the opportunity to study within both innovative community-and hospital-based facilities. Areas of study include the theoretical issues relating to mental health nursing, mental health in the context of the family and group-based approaches toward mental health care.

12. This program is designed to provide higher level knowledge, skills and leadership for nurses specializing in the area of mental health. Graduates will work in either the inpatient or community setting providing a variety of specialist skills to meet the needs of mental health consumers, their families, carers, and the wider community. This program also provides pathways to Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in Mental Health Nursing.

13. Aim of the program The aim of the "The Recover Program" is to improve the quality of community-based nursing care for people with severe and potential mental health problems. It enables the participants to develop knowledge, expert practice and leadership roles in community mental health nursing to improve the outcomes and experiences of community mental health service users in Palestine.

14. Objectives of the program • Generate and apply knowledge about the biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual aspects of the human experience of health and illness • Provide primary, secondary and tertiary interventions using a variety of treatment modalities to promote the health and wellness of individuals, families and communities • Gain advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to practice as a specialist mental health nurse in primary, secondary and tertiary settings • Encourage the transfer of existing theoretical and clinical knowledge into quality client care • Develop an understanding of major psychiatric disorders with particular emphasis on the seriously mentally ill

15. Enable the nurse to develop proficiency in context related competencies particular to psychiatric nursing • Encourage collaborative relations with the wider health care professional team • Encourage the nurse to explore and develop strategies in clinical situations with which they may not be familiar, thereby broadening their range of clinical skills • Assist the nurse to identify individual strengths and weaknesses with a view to developing strategies for further development • Enhance professional development • Further develop critical thinking skills in relation to clinical practice • Encourage independent/collaborative nursing practice designed to meet the client's mental health and well-being • Develop an awareness of the clinical, community and other resources available to support clinical care.

16. Frequently Asked Questions * What academic qualifications will I obtain? Successful completion of the program will give you a Master degree in community mental health nursing from the Faculty of Nursing, The Islamic University of Gaza. * What entry requirements are necessary? 1-Bachelor degree in nursing 2- Experience in health settings (especially in mental health) for at least 2 years 3- Fluency in English language 4-Passing personal interview * How many students will be accepted each year? 25-30 students * When will the program start? It will start in the first semester 2009-2010 (September, 2009).

17. * What are the study days and hours? 3 days per week as follows: Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday: from 14:00-18:00 (for the first and second semesters).

18. Curriculum*First year, first semester: 10 Credit hours

19. *First year, second semester: 10 Credit hours

20. *Second year, first semester: 10 Credit hours

21. * Total credit hours of postgraduate diploma in mental health nursing:First year/ first semester: 10 credit hoursFirst year/ second semester: 10 credit hoursSecond year/ first semester: 10 credit hoursThesis 6 credit hoursTotal: 36 credit hours

22. Course descriptions First year/ first semester: Contemporary mental health nursing: *Aspects of mental health nursing *Trends in provision of care in mental health settings * Issues relating to policy, planning, and clinical nursing practice *Ethical issues when practicing mental health nursing *Human rights regarding mental health/illness *Stressing the importance of continuity of care

23. Multidisciplinary mental health nursing assessment: * Holistic assessment of individual needs focusing on biological & psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. *Classifications and models of mental health/illness *Concepts and process of risk assessment *Working with insight/helping prevent relapse *Methods of assessment, mental health state examination (MHSE) *History taking *Use of standardized assessment tools *Formulating and writing nursing care plans *Writing case notes, nursing notes *Stigma, stereotyping and labelling *Cultural perspective of mental health/illness

24. Mental health nursing (theory) * Exploring the conceptual basis for professional nursing with clients in the mental health field. * Focusing on clients with psychiatric disorders and their mental health. * Addressing health seeking behaviours pattern within the context of psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts. * Discussing concepts related to emotional problems, and pathological reactions to life stresses. * Discussing nursing strategies that are appropriate for assessment and intervention with individuals, families and groups to facilitate optimal mental health * applying the nursing process in meeting needs of clients in psychiatric/mental health settings * Progressing toward increased responsibility for establishment of therapeutic relationships and development of individualized plans of care

25. Pharmacology for mental health nurses *Promoting adherence to therapeutic regimen *Managing acute mental illness in hospital and home treatment settings *Contemporary practice in psychopharmacology *Promoting concordance in treatment *Monitoring side effects

26. Community mental health nursing * Providing students with an opportunity to explore the role and position of the community mental health nurse within a broad social, political and ethical context.  * Investigating cultural perspective of mental health/illness and stigma, stereotyping and labeling. *focusing on a family interventions: assessment and engagement, psycho-education, problem solving and goal setting, relapse prevention, family group work * Providing culturally sensitive nursing care within the context of family and community to individuals or groups experiencing disruptions in mental health. * Providing safe nursing care for the patient experiencing disruptions in mental health.

27. * Utilizing effective communication process to collaborate with patients, staff, and families to promote, maintain, and restore mental health. * Providing knowledge and skills to dealing with community mental health resources and therefore providing knowledge for consumer, family and wider community about mental illness and access available resources to facilitate recovery process and in-turn enhance the lives of individuals with mental disabilities * Identifying clinically significant research problems within community mental health nursing and integrate current research findings with clinical practice

28. Engagement and Recovery * Adopting recovery as a guiding purpose for mental health services favors hope and creativity over disillusionment and defeat. * Reviewing the history of the recovery concept, tracing it back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. * Setting the concept of recovery in the context of developing national and international practice. * Seeking to explore definitions, together with the challenges and implications of adopting such an approach. * Recognizing that our services are at an early stage in developing a recovery orientation and that there is an associated need for a new research agenda to guide the way forward. * Emphasizing the value and uniqueness of each person and regard their different viewpoints and cultural perspectives as a resource.

29. Providing several examples of ‘recovery in practice’ with contact details from a wide variety of organizations from those governed and run by people who use services to statutory sector developments and commissioning. • * Addressing common themes in recovery including the pursuit of health and wellness; a shift of emphasis from pathology and morbidity to health and strengths; hope and belief in positive change; meaning and spiritual purpose of distress; service supports reconceived as mentoring not supervisory; identity explored as a cultural issue; social inclusion (housing, work, education, leisure)

30. Second year/ first semester: Applied health research methodology *Preparing a research proposal for a thesis or research project *Consideration of issues and methods to qualitative research *Gathering, analysis and presentation of qualitative findings *Developing the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate quantitative research and to design quantitative research projects *Applying the knowledge to the development of a proposal for a research

31. Leadership and enabling changes in mental health nursing: *Clinical supervision *Health promotion *Organizational group structures-professional roles and boundaries *Human motivation *Decision making and problem solving *Perceptorship/mentorship *Multidisciplinary team working *Clinical governance *Continuing Professional Development (CPD) *Quality management framework

32. Human Resources Academic Advisor: Dr Ashraf Eljedi, BSN, MSN, DrPH List of local lecturers and trainers: - Dr Ashraf Eljedi, PhD in Public Health - Dr Abd Alkareem Rodwan, PhD in mental health - Dr Ayesh Sammor, Psychiatrist - Dr samir Qouta, PhD in Clinical Psychology - Dr Ahmed Abo Tawahenah, PhD in Clinical Psychology - Dr Abd Alhamid Afana, PhD in Community Mental Health, Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, Gaza - Mr Aref El-Tayyeb, Msc in Community & Mental Health - Mr Bashir Al-hajjar, Msc, PhD candidate in Mental Health - Mr Mohammed Al-Zeer, Msc in community and mental health - Basel Al-khudari, Msc in Mental Health - Muna mansour, Msc in Community & Mental Health - Afaf Abu Gamar, Msc in Community & Mental Health - Jameel Abd Al-Aty, Msc in Community & Mental Health

33. Historical view: The decision to establish a faculty of nursing at the Islamic University-Gaza (IUG) was taken in the academic year of 1985/1986 where at that time Gaza Strip was under the Israeli occupying forces who refused to give permission for the IUG to establish that college. In the academic year 1992/1993, the administration of the IUG decided to open a department for nursing sciences under the umbrella of the college of science on temporary basis in order to bypass the Israeli decision. In 1994/1995 the department of nursing was separated from the college of science and became an independent faculty. The college of nursing works to prepare a new generation of nurses who are well-prepared theoretically and practically in order to meet the nursing needs of the Palestinian community. The college of nursing already graduated many nurses who hold a BSN degree in nursing and who work in several positions in different health fields.

34. Programs Bachelor in nursing sciences Bachelor in midwifery nursing Upgrading RN to BSN Master in community mental Health nursing. The college of nursing designed its curricula so that it meets the professional, national and international standards of nursing. This will help its graduates to work and complete their postgraduate education all over the world with no obstacles.

35. Objectives of the College of Nursing: • To Prepare well-qualified nurses who have a good theoretical and practical background to meet the needs of the local and Arab community. • To Prepare nurses to practice the principles of Islam during their work. • To Design nursing curriculum that meets nursing standards at the local and international levels. • To Help nursing students to master communication and coordination skills with other members of the health team. • To Improve the theoretical and practical level of nursing students through the use of different advanced teaching methods and aids and follow up recent issues that relate to nursing. • To Help nursing students to master the necessary nursing skills. • To Understand nursing research and utilize it for the benefits of their clients. • To Improve the leadership skills of our graduates. • Working to provide a foundation for establishing new postgraduate programs in nursing.