Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) with NMC registration module details
First year
In first year, students will engage in 917 hours of theory and 720 hours of practice (56% theory and 44% practice).
Practice experience 1: this module is used as a vehicle to monitor NMC requirements, professional practice outcomes, professional conduct in practice and student attendance in practice. Students will have three placement blocks in year one in which the foundational skills required by a mental health nurse will be developed.
Foundations of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology in Nursing: This module explores human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on pharmacology. Students will explore the main body systems and changes that occur through the aging process. Students will have opportunity to learn foundational knowledge about pharmacology including pharmakinestics and pharmacodynamics.
Influences on Wellbeing: This module will support students to develop understanding of the influences on wellbeing and health and how this can impact on individuals and groups throughout the lifespan. Students will develop fundamental knowledge regarding the mental health nurses’ role on the promotion of wellbeing and skills to support the wellbeing of the mental health patient.
Foundations of Field of Practise: This module will enable students to adopt an enquiring approach to the assessment, planning and delivery of safe and effective practice within their relevant field of practice. Students will explore foundational pathophysiology, including mental health field of practice specific pathophysiology, assessment and identification of immediate and essential care needs for patients/clients within the mental health field of practice.
Second year
In second year, students will engage in 848 hours of theory and 840hours of practice (50% theory and 50% practice).
Practice experience 2 - this module is used as a vehicle to monitor NMC requirements, professional practice outcomes, professional conduct in practice and student attendance in practice. Students will have two placement blocks in year two in which the they will continue to develop the skills required by a mental health nurse.
Evidence Based Practice and Research: The module will examine a range of research paradigms and will provide students with skills and understanding involved in planning, designing, contextualising and thinking critically about evidence-based research, which underpins nursing and health care practice.
Primary Care – Patient Journey 1: This module will enable students to develop their knowledge regarding the patient’s first point of contact with health care services through involvement with primary care services. You will learn about the context of factors that influence patient behaviour and their decision-making processes. You will examine common illnesses and experiences alongside some long-term health conditions utilising a holistic perspective and the importance of health promotion.
Acute Care – Patient Journey 2: This module explores acute nursing care (in secondary care). Students will develop skills in working with commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions, recognizing and responding to the deteriorating patient and the utilization of safe interventions to support patient care in the acute nursing care context. You will learn how to recognize and respond to deteriorating patients, using appropriate interventions to ensure evidence-based mental health nursing care.
Third year
In third year, students will engage in 769 hours of theory and 920 hours of practice (45.5% theory and 54.5% practice).
Practice experience 3 - this module is used as a vehicle to monitor NMC requirements, professional practice outcomes, professional conduct in practice and student attendance in practice. Students will have two placement blocks in year three in which they will continue to develop and begin to consolidate the skills required by a mental health nurse.
Critical Inquiry and Research proposal: Students will be supported to complete a critical inquiry and research proposal based on a subject relevant to the mental health field of nursing practice. This will enable you to critically evaluate sources of evidence and support you to become an independent, accountable practitioner, ensuring that your practise as a future mental health nurse, is based on the best available evidence.
Leadership and Service Improvement: This module will develop students’ knowledge in understanding accountability and skills in relation to nursing leadership, and of the leadership roles and responsibilities of a registered mental health nurse.
Managing Complexities in Nursing Practice: This module aims to enable the student to critically analyse their knowledge, skills and decision-making processes relevant to caring for patient/clients within the mental health field of practice. Students will also develop skills in managing complex health presentations within the mental field of practice and have opportunity to further develop skills required to work effectively with the wider inter-disciplinary team.