The graduate university training program in nursing science in the field of mental health and psychiatric care is constituted of at least 1,035 hours, distributed as follows:
(1) a theory component of at least 450 hours, including at least
(a) 90 hours on research methods, the integration of evidence-based data into clinical practice and the use of psychometric tools, including at least 45 hours on the use of psychometric tools;
(b) 135 hours on the psychopathy of mental disorders and concomitant disorders, including personality and development theories and the study of a classification system for mental disorders and elements for assessing its scope and limitations;
(c) 45 hours on psychopharmacology and biological treatments;
(d) 45 hours on the nurse’s specific professional role related to assessing mental disorders;
(e) 135 hours on communication skills and scientifically recognized models of intervention.
One hour of theory training is equivalent to one hour of planned learning activities in a classroom in the presence of the trainer;
(2) a practical component of at least 540 hours of clinical training, including
(a) 270 hours of clinical training on assessing mental disorders;
(b) 270 hours of clinical training on the integration of interview principles, principles relating to the assessment of a person’s state of health and mental disorders and principles of intervention according to different scientifically recognized models adapted to clientele with mental health problems or mental disorders.
The clinical training is supervised by a professional authorized to assess mental disorders.