Program Overview

Programme Overview

The Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is designed to enable individuals to become registered mental health nurses, equipped to help clients take the first steps towards changing their lives. This programme, offered by the University of Plymouth, leads to a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree in Nursing and registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in mental health.

Programme Details

The full-time Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship consists of three parts, each delivered over approximately 12 months. Apprentices are supernumerary for the duration of the programme, engaging in academic learning and supernumerary practice. There may be variations to this for experienced healthcare practitioners with relevant healthcare experience and level 5 qualifications, who may be eligible for the Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) part-time route.

Year 1

The first year introduces students to being accountable professionals while developing the knowledge and skills required to become confident, academic, and independent learners. Key areas of study include:

• Human development
• Key body systems and their relationship to nursing care
• Therapeutic interpersonal skills
• Assessing, planning, providing, and evaluating health and wellbeing

Core Modules:

• NRS410: Being an Accountable Professional
• NRS411: Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
• NRS412: Assessing Healthcare Needs
• NRS413: Planning Nursing Care
• NRS414: Applied Human Biology Across the Lifespan
• NRS415: Providing and Evaluating Care

Year 2

In the second year, students are introduced to research methodology and the application of research-based evidence to professional practice. The curriculum covers:

• Pathophysiological processes involved in commonly encountered health conditions
• Co-ordinating care for complex health needs
• Public health, policies, and legislation
• Pharmacology and safe practice in the management of medicines

Core Modules:

• NRS501: Applied Pathophysiology
• NRS502: Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making
• NRS503: Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health
• NRS504: Pharmacology and Medicines Optimisation
• NRS505: Co-ordinating Care for Complex Health Needs
• NRS506: Developing Nursing Practice

Final Year

The third year allows students to critically explore concepts of management, leadership, and working in teams. The focus is on:

• Critical appraisal and the importance of research evidence to professional practice
• Therapeutic approaches for working with people with serious mental health problems or complex needs
• Service approaches and the 'lived experience' of those engaging with mental health and social care services
• Competence in nursing clients with complex needs in a range of care settings

The final module provides the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to perform as a capable and autonomous practitioner, fit for registration in the field of nursing practice.

Programme Specification

The programme specification outlines the structure, content, and requirements of the Mental Health Nursing Degree Apprenticeship. It includes details on the modules, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies.

Testimonial

Rebecca Richards, a student on the BSc (Hons) Nursing – Mental Health programme, shares her experience: "Do it, but know why you want to: you'll need that when you're up all night, or stressed out. It's not an easy course; it challenges and changes you in a lot of different ways, so you have to want to be there."

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