Overview
Contemporary nursing practice is based upon sound theoretical foundations based in the life sciences, knowledge of interpersonal working, problem solving and ethical reasoning. The programme team work in collaboration with the student to help them become the nurse they wish to become. The aim is for an informed, enthusiastic, motivated but above all competent registered nurse.
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing enables students to gain a professional qualification and an Honours degree. Students will in addition be encouraged to develop the skills of independent learning, critical analysis, leadership, management and decision making. Students develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to care for individuals to both prevent and to manage illness and disability.
Mental health nursing means working with individuals within a close professional relationship to help them achieve self care and independence. This is a development process for the person being cared for and requires that the nurse has the highest levels of interpersonal and intrapersonal skill. Personal insight and emotional maturity are essential characteristics of the qualified mental health nurse. This course aims to develop both as essentials to effective practice.
Why study this course?
This course offers students the opportunity to focus on the specific health needs of service users and their family/carer(s).
The nature of nursing means that students will be involved in working with the variety of people who access the services provided by the health care system. This will range in both the age of the patient and for a variety of reasons, either short-term or long-term i.e. with physical, emotional, or mental health care needs.
All of the people that Nurses work with will have individual and diverse needs and some may have a long term condition with complex needs. Therefore, the philosophy underpinning the course and the skills students develop are centred around person-centred care and working in partnership with people and their family/carer(s).
In the branch programme UCS offers students the opportunity to study as a member of a small group which enables the development of a supportive environment for discussion of the many sensitive and emotional issues that arise as a result of caring for people and their family/carer(s). The skills laboratory and the use of sophisticated computerised technology enable students to practice clinical skills in a safe environment.
Current student, Victoria Wilkinson-Bewick, discusses her experience at UCS.
Learning and Teaching Strategy
The course delivers a blended approach to teaching and learning, including lectures both at the Ipswich Waterfront Campus and at base sites in year , (mental health students at Ipswich only),. Other approaches to learning include; clinical skills teaching; use of a virtual learning environment; large group teaching; small group teaching and private study. A blended approach to teaching and learning continues in years 2 and 3.
Base Site Locations and Clinical Placements
Base sites are used for clinical practice placements and some theoretical sessions in years 2 and, (Mental Health Bury and Ipswich only).
All clinical placements throughout the three years of the course are person focused. Each base site typically offers clinical placements in the following areas/or specialities:
Practice Hours
When working in practice you complete a 37½ hour a week, this includes early shifts, late shifts, long days, weekends and night shifts depending on where you are placed.
Please note: You are expected to work on placement during the whole seven day week period. Shift hours vary according to where you are based. In the first year you will not be allocated to work any night shifts. During years 2 and 3 you will work a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 20 night shifts.
Assessment Strategy
At the end of each module and a semester placement(s) students will be subject to summative assessment. The criteria that are applied are defined by the outcomes of the module and/or the practice expectations – these include, and are plotted against, the requirements and expectations of the Nursing and Midwifery Council for the point of the programme.
Assessments in theory and practice include; project work, presentation, examination (written and practical), practice portfolios and essays.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of your course you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of places including community and hospital settings, education and research. With the increasing emphasis on nursing people in the community the opportunities are continuing to grow for Nurses.
Content and Modules
There are two 22 week semesters in every year of the programme. Each semester consists of 50% practice and 50% theory.
Year 1 (Foundation Studies)
This year is concerned with learning the fundamentals of caring both theoretically and practically. All students enrolled on a nursing programme study together in year one. Unlike other students those of the Mental Health pathway are not based in Great Yarmouth or surrounding areas. No placements will normally be available in South Norfolk.
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
|
Semester
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Description
|
|
Nursing Practice 1
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4
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40
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1 and 2
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Skill development allowing the student to contribute to the plan of care with generic and field specific skills.
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Introduction to Professional Studies
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4
|
0
|
1
|
-
Induction to higher education three weeks at the start of semester 1
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Life Sciences
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4
|
20
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1 and 2
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An examination of the foundations of physiology, related anatomy and psychology that are essential for care
|
|
Fundamentals of Care
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4
|
20
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1
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An exploration of the organisation of care and the essential cognitive skills required to engage in caring both in the student’s own field of care and in those of the other parts of the register.
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Contexts of Care.
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4
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20
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2
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A consideration of the current and anticipated range of care environments, including ethical, regulatory, scientific and technological and cultural influences.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Professional Person.
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4
|
20
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1 and 2
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An examination of the person within the professional and intra/inter-personal processes required to engage with the self and others in a caring and compassionate way.
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BSc (Hons) in Mental Health - Year 2 and 3
This includes Mental Health specific learning to manage and lead the care firstly of individual patients and their family/carer(s) and then of small groups in a range of settings. Due to the nature of mental health nursing and its learning all campus delivery is shared and centralised in Ipswich.
BSc (Hons) In Mental Health - Year 2
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
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Semester
|
Description
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Nursing Practice 2.
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5
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40
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1 and 2
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Development of the skills and knowledge required to engage in the assessment, planning and implementation of care for individuals.
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Evidence Based Practice: Mental Health Nursing
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5
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20
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1
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An exploration of the scope and nature of knowledge, its construction and application to the field of practice.
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Service User and the Professional Partnership
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5
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20
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1
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A care focussed, field of practice, service user orientated module designed to assist the student to develop the capacities required to be person and solution focussed in planning nursing interventions.
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Interventions in Contemporary Practice.
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5
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20
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2
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An exploration of the specific theoretical, heuristic and experiential knowledge required within the field of practice.
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Research 4 Practice
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5
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20
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2
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An exploration of the social and cognitive constructions of research as applied to care practice. The module intends to arm the student with the knowledge and skills required to be properly research minded.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Service User
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5
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Notional Practice Credits
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1 and 2
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Credits notionally related to those awarded for practice. The student will use critical reflection, analysis of the service user journey and promotion of multi-agency working across health and social care teams to enhance the care that they provide to service users. The students will be able to reflect on appropriate and profession specific scenarios where interprofessional working is advocated.
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BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing - Year 3
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Name of Module
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Level
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Credits
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Semester
|
Description
|
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Nursing Practice 3.
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6
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40
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1 and 2
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Development of the skills and knowledge required to manage, lead and innovate in the delivery of care of small numbers of persons in specific settings.
|
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Enhancing Care through Service Improvement: Mental Health Nursing
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6
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20
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1 and 2
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A critical examination of the theoretical underpinning of practice in a variety of settings supported with the development of those cognitive and operational skills required to be an innovator of care.
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Dissertation
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6
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40
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1 and 2
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A module supporting the production of a piece of work designed to present a critical appreciation of advanced care.
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Interprofessional Learning (IPL): The Organisation
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6
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20
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1 and 2
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The module promotes multi-agency working across health and social care teams. Students will be encouraged to work as flexible practitioners and critical thinkers. Management of self is key to evaluating their role and the role of others within the interprofessional team.
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Further Information
Student testimonial
“I was attracted to mental health nursing because of the values of personal self determination, respect for the individual and the ethical practice that it promotes. Although psychiatry has had its uses it has not always promoted mental health. Contemporary mental health nursing however does and it in this area I want to work after I qualify. This course is equally as demanding as it is rewarding, the more you put in the more you get out. I have learned so much about people and like myself and them so much more as a result.”
Peter is at the end of the second year of the programme.
What is included in your tuition fees
At UCS your tuition fees provide access to all the usual teaching and learning facilities that you would expect. However, there may be additional costs associated with your course that you will need to budget for.
Read full details of the included and additional costs for Mental Health Nursing|
Please note, UCS reserves the right to change this information as and when required.