Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing
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 Cork, and upon successful completion will undertake their four-year Nursing programme at MTU Kerry.
Provider Locations and Structure
Year 1
Cork Education and Training Board – Cork College of FET – Morrison’s Island Campus.
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
or
QQI Level 4 award with a minimum of a merit grade
or
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)
or
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.
Onward Pathways
MSc Nursing
MSc Professional Nursing
MSc Advanced Practice Nursing
Contact Details
For more information, please contact the Tertiary Managers at feather@corketb.ie