Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing

Apply to Denny Street Campus, Tralee

Overview

The aim of mental health nursing is to promote mental health and wellness, to plan with, support and provide nursing care to people who suffer from mental illness and mental distress, and to support families and communities in dealing with mental health challenges. This care can be provided in acute care facilities such as hospitals, in people’s own homes and community care settings. Supporting on-going mental health recovery is an important part of being a mental health nurse.

Our graduates work with individuals, families and communities to prevent mental health problems and promote recovery so that as many people as possible can live full lives in community settings. At the heart of the mental health nurse’s role is the ability to establish therapeutic relationships with individuals and their families.

Incorporating the Level 5 Nursing Studies with the BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing gives students the opportunity to start their preparation for the Mental Health Nursing degree programme in the FE sector, leading to seamless progression into the third level college.  Students will spend the first year of this programme in their local ETB in Kerry, and upon successful completion will undertake their four-year Nursing programme at MTU Kerry.

Provider Locations and Structure

Year 1

Education and Training Board – Kerry College – Denny Street Campus, Tralee.

Years 2-5

Department of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences, Munster Technological University, Kerry Campus, Sólás Nursing Building, Tralee, Co. Kerry.

Course Content – For All Years

Year 1 – Level 5 Award – FE

Care Skills	5N2770
Communications	5N0690
Human Growth & Development	5N1279
Anatomy & Physiology	5N0749
Nursing Theory & Practice	5N4325
Work Experience	5N1356
Infection Prevention & Control	5N3734
Care of the Older Person	5N2706

Year 2 – MTU

Module Code		Module Title
EDUC	61000	Learning at Third Level
COMM 61032		Professionalism in Nursing Practice
HLTH	61012	Health and Wellbeing
HSFT	61002	Skills For Safe Practice
NURS 61014		Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 1
NURS 61011		Principles of Mental Health Nursing Care 1
NURS 61009		Caring in Context
SOCL	61014	The Sociology and Psychology of Health and Illness
NURS 61015		Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 2

Year 3 – MTU

Module Code		Module Title
INFO	71003	Introduction to Health Informatics
NURS 71011		Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 3
NURS 71005		Principles of Mental Health Nursing Care 2
NURS 71013		Fundamentals of Nursing Knowledge and Research
NURS 71004		Compassion and Integrity in Caring
COMM71015		Therapeutic Relationships and Interventions
NURS 71012		Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 4
NURS 71007		Principles of Mental Health Nursing Care 3
HLTH	71007	Health Promotion
EDUC	71016	Inter-Professional Education and Collaborative Practice

Year 4 – MTU

Module Code		Module Title
NURS	81010	Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 5
NURS81025		Principles of Mental Health Nursing Care
LAWS 81008		Law and Ethics for Practice
PSYC 81012		Psychotherapeutic Approaches and Recovery
HLTH 81012		Enabling Positive Ageing
PHRM 81005		Principles for Nursing Care 5: Applied Pharmacology for Mental Health Nursing
RSRH 81013		Nursing Research Methodology

Year 5 – MTU

Module Code		Module Title
HSFT	81001	Safety Quality Accountability
MGMT	81023	Leadership and Management
MGMT	81024	Principles of Nursing Care 6: Clinical Decision Making
RSRH	81011	Research for Evidence Based Nursing
NURS	81013	Developing Competency in Mental Health Nursing Practice 6
RSRH	81012	Applied Nursing Research

Embedded Awards

This tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5 year programme. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, tertiary degrees include embedded awards. Embedded awards formally recognise learning achieved during time in the programme. For this degree, they are:

After successfully completing Year 1	NFQ level 5 Certificate in Nursing Studies (5M4349) from QQI
After successfully completing Year 3	NFQ level 6 (TL_NHSMN_C) Higher Certificate in Science in Health Studies (Mental Health), 120 credits, from MTU
After successfully completing Year 4	NFQ level 7 (TL_NHSMN_D) Bachelor of Science in Health Studies (Mental Health), 180 credits, from MTU

The final NFQ level 8 Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing is awarded by MTU.

Planned Intake (Number of Places)

9 per location

Entry Requirements and Eligibility

Leaving Certificate with five subjects at grade O6; LCVP including maths or a distinction in Leaving Certificate Applied

QQI Level 4 award with a minimum of a merit grade

Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year).  These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)

An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience.  All applicants must demonstrate that they would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028).

CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 courses for those whose first language is not English.

Learner pre-requisites

Self-declared medical statement signed by their GP
Personal Statement
Interview
Garda Vetting

This course requires students to be Garda vetted. Prospective students should also be aware that some aspects of this course are physically demanding and should satisfy themselves that they are physically fit enough to undertake it. All applicants will undergo a processing stage during which further information will be gathered in relation to their application.

Learner’s Desirable competencies and experience
Learners interested in undertaking this course should want to be part of an active and changing dynamic environment. They should, enjoy working with others and value caring for people. In addition, learners should have a special interest in mental health and recovery, be excellent communicators with problem-solving and critical thinking skills.