Nursing (Mental Health) (Pre-registration programme) PGDip

Course content

What will you study on the PGDip Nursing (Mental Health) (Pre-registration programme)?

This course consists of 50% theory and 50% practice. You will receive Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL)/ Accreditation for Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) for the following modules, in recognition of your previous study and relevant experience:

• Graduate and Transferable Skills in Postgraduate Studies (30 credits)
• Health and Social Sciences Research Approaches (30 credits)
• Knowledge and Skills for Nursing Practice (30 credits)

This module will prepare student nurses to work in partnership with other members of the multidisciplinary team. You will be taught about the concept of the NHS and the many different services involved in order to provided uniformed and holistic care.

This module will introduce you to the field of mental health nursing practice. You will examine key mental health conditions in depth and explore concepts such as health promotion and recovery, and key factors that influence these conditions such as social, biological, psychological and political. You will be able to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness, aetiology and onset, progression of the condition, and prognosis.

This module's focus is in developing fundamental knowledge and skills in mental health nursing both psychosocial and physical, including the measurement of vital signs and their underlying physiology.

This module is practice based and provides you with a variety of practice experiences reflecting the 4 fields of nursing, in line with the NMC Standards for Education. You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in your previous modules and be supported in meeting the generic and specific field standards for competence and Essential Skills Clusters to meet Progression Point 1. This module will be assessed with the Practice Learning Document.

This module provides you with a range of practice learning opportunities across a variety of practice experiences in adult care, in line with the NMC requirements for registration. You will build on the knowledge and skills developed to date and be supported in meeting the generic and specific field standards for competence and Essential Skills Clusters in order to achieve the NMC criteria for Progression point 2. This module will be assessed with the Practice Learning Document.

This module provides you with a range of practice learning opportunities across a variety of practice experiences in adult nursing, in line with the NMC requirements for registration. You will build on the knowledge and skills developed to date and be supported in meeting the generic and specific field standards for competence and in order to achieve the NMC criteria for registration. You will be assessed by a sign-off mentor during your 14 week period of continuous practice.

This module aims to build upon your first year of the programme and focuses on the further development of communication, counselling and psychosocial intervention skills such as motivational interviewing, mindfulness, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour. Mindfulness techniques will also be used to assist your own personal and professional development, along with leadership and self-management skills.

This module aims to build upon and advance your knowledge and critical understanding of mental health, in particular severe and enduring conditions, and the consequences/impact when two or more conditions are present. The module will facilitate you to critically evaluate and debate how different mental health conditions can present or be influenced and experienced by different populations subject to age, gender, ethnicity, and clinical setting/service line.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Module and programme information is indicative and may be subject to change.