Bachelor's degree

In Luton

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Luton

  • Duration

    3 Years

To learn and develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and professional behaviour appropriate for a registered nurse.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Luton (Bedfordshire)
See map
Faculty Of Health & Social Sciences, University Of Bedfordshire, Luton Campus, Park Square, LU1 3JU

Start date

On request

About this course

You must be at least 17 1/2 years old at the start of the programme.

You should have 200 UCAS tariff points of which 160 must come from 2 A levels or the equivalent

Applicants from Scotland: Minimum of 4 SCE Higher subjects at grade C or above and SCE ordinary Level grade C or above in English and Mathematics.

Applicants from the Republic of Ireland : Minimum of 4 Subjects at grade C or above in Irish Higher Leaving Certificate and Ordinary level English Mathematics at grade C or above in Irish leaving certificate.
OR
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Course programme

BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
Mode: full-time

Success in this three year course will result in you being awarded an Honours Degree and achievement in the Nursing and Midwifery outcomes/standards of proficiency required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for eligibility to register as a Mental Health Nurse on the NMC Professional Register.

The first year of the course is shared with students undertaking all four branches of nursing (Adult, Mental Health, Learning Disability and Children). This year introduces you to the fundamentals of nursing in a range of settings. During subsquent years you will acquire the specialist knowledge and skills needed to practice as a mental health nurse in a variety of practice settings such as hospital and/or in other community settings. This course consists of 50% University based learning and 50% practice experience and learning in planned practice / care settings.

The course uses a form of learning called Enquiry Based Learning that draws on the experience of real practice. From day one you will be able to see the relevance of what you are learning as you explore case scenarios based around real users of health care services. This approach also enables you to develop a range of important core skills, such as working in teams and using a range of resources.

The majority of theory learning is undertaken in our Buckinghamshire or Bedfordshire education centres. Some travel between campuses for teaching sessions is required during the course.

Practical learning experiences are supervised by qualified nurses and take place in approved NHS and non-NHS care settings, in both hospitals and the community. You will, as part of the course, undertake clinical placements in a wide variety of clinical areas. You will be given opportunities to discuss issues and experiences with service users who are ‘experts by experience’ during your course.

Mental health nursing placements are provided at the Aylesbury, Bedford, Luton and Dunstable and High Wycombe hospital sites.

Career Opportunities

Following successful completion of the course, you will have the academic and professional background to take advantage of all the career opportunities available to graduate nurses – leading and influencing others, making a significant contribution to the profession, and developing practice through the implementation of nursing research findings.

Specialisation within nursing is extensive. For example, there are opportunities to work with people in the community, as community psychiatric nurses or within acute settings. Other areas of health care are also available, for example, drug and alcohol dependency work.

Teaching/learning methods and strategies

The course recognises the wealth of life and essential experiences students bring, as adult learners, to the teaching and learning process. Such experiences provide a sound base for further development of the humanistic and caring skills necessary for working with service users, carers and families who experience mental distress.

The teaching and learning strategies associated with this course of study enable you to communicate effectively in a variety of modes, construct and present arguments coherently, and develop independent learning skills for continuing and lifelong learning in your chosen career. Units of study are designed with explicit learning outcomes which support the teaching process and provide transparent guidelines for your learning and achievement.

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are utilised, which include role plays, lectures, discussions, group work on case studies and scenarios, seminars and debates, for example. Learning is supported through the use of appropriate visual aids, videos, and simulation exercises, for example. Learning will also be enhanced by the use of BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online), personal lecturer support, peer support and practice experience learning.

You are also expected to undertake self-directed study in the form of reading, research and application to practice. Meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s academic and professional requirements and Department of Health policy guidelines and recommendations are reflected in the teaching and learning strategies of the course.

Assessment

The assessment methods have been carefully chosen and provide an assessment scheme, which effectively reflects the course philosophy, overall aims and objectives, and integrates theory and practice. To support your learning and assessment of theory and practice, you will be encouraged to compile and maintain a portfolio from the commencement of the course.

This strategy provides a sound base for enabling you to develop your ability and skills for reflection on your learning and assessed performance. The assessment of theory includes the combination of a range of strategies: written reports as supportive evidence of learning experiences, examinations, essays, case and care studies, seminar and project presentations, a project (for Honours).

The assessment of practice experience and learning is a mandatory requirement of the statutory regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The assessment of practice experience and learning commences from year one and involves the use of a Portfolio of Evidence of Practice Experience, Learning and Assessment.

Dissertation/project and research

A dissertation project focusing on an aspect of clinical nursing practice is undertaken in the final year of the course. You will be asked to conduct an extensive piece of work and will be provided with the opportunity to exercise skills in critical analysis, so increasing your ability to appraise evidence from a range of sources.

Recommended reading

  • Edwards K.(2005) Partnership working in Mental health care, London: Churchill Livingstone
  • Stuart, G W, Laraia MT (2005) Principles and practice of Psychiatric Nursing. 8th Edition, Saint Louis, Elsevier Mosby
  • Pilgrim D (2005) Key Concepts in Mental Health, London, Sage

Entry requirements

  • You must be at least 17 1/2 years old at the start of the programme.
  • You should have 200 UCAS tariff points of which 160 must come from 2 A levels or the equivalent
  • Applicants from Scotland: Minimum of 4 SCE Higher subjects at grade C or above and SCE ordinary Level grade C or above in English and Mathematics.
  • Applicants from the Republic of Ireland : Minimum of 4 Subjects at grade C or above in Irish Higher Leaving Certificate and Ordinary level English Mathematics at grade C or above in Irish leaving certificate. OR
  • Access or Foundation Course in a related subject (Health and Social Care, Nursing, and Social Work) field with 80% of the assessment at Level 3. OR
  • BTEC National Certificate / Diploma in a related field, pass with DM /MMP OR
  • Advanced GNVQ in related subject (a merit/distinction - 12 unit award) AND
  • All applicants also need to demonstrate their literacy and numeracy by attaining at least Grade C in English and Maths at GCSE or an equivalent, eg Key Skills Level 2 Adult Literacy and Numeracy, in addition to the qualifications listed above AND
  • For all applicants evidence of study in the last 3 years is preferred

Special entry requirements

Applicants must be successful at a University selection day, when they meet with academic staff and local NHS Trust practitioners.

Offers are made when you have successfully achieved the following:

  • Clearance from the Occupational Health Department of the partner NHS Trust hospital.
  • Criminal Records Bureaux check.
  • Production of necessary educational certificates and personal documents.

Attendance

Attendance for study days at the University usually take place Monday to Friday between 09.30 and 16.30 hours, although some later start and finish times may be necessary. You will be required to travel between University sites for the purpose of classroom instruction.

Practice days follow the normal working patterns of qualified staff to ensure that you experience the 24 hour range of nursing practice and will include, days, weekends and nights. For example, an early shift may be 07.30 - 15.30, a late shift 13.30 - 21.30, and a night shift 21.15 - 07.15 hours.

Nursing (Mental Health)

Price on request