BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice

Program Overview

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The BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice program at the University of Sunderland equips students with the skills and knowledge to deliver compassionate and restorative care to individuals experiencing mental distress and illness. Through a combination of theoretical learning, clinical placements, and interactive simulations, students develop critical thinking, interpersonal therapeutic skills, and a holistic understanding of mental health nursing. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as registered mental health nurses.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Objectives:

• Deliver restorative interventions to those experiencing mental distress and illness.
• Develop interpersonal therapeutic skills to promote recovery and positive mental wellbeing.
• Graduate ready to deliver effective and sincere person-centred care as a mental health nurse.

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Description:

• The BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice degree enables students to learn how to deliver compassionate and restorative care to those experiencing mental distress and illness.
• Students will develop critical thinking skills to deliver effective and sincere person-centered care.
• The program focuses on contemporary evidence-based practices and incorporates a range of skills, including physical health monitoring and promotion, interpersonal therapeutic skills, and "whole-systems" approaches.
• Students will gain experience in diverse settings, ensuring the mental well-being of families and carers with relatives experiencing mental distress.
• The program features a combination of practice placements with NHS partner trusts and on-campus learning using interactive facilities and PPI (Patient, Carer, and Public Involvement) participants.
• Successful completion of the program qualifies graduates to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a registered mental health nurse.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Developing critical thinking skills for evidence-based practice in mental health nursing.

• Gaining insight into engagement with learning styles, teaching methods, and the assessment process.

• Learning through a systems-based approach to anatomy, physiology, psychology, and microbiology.

• Exploring human health and wellbeing in the context of public health and symptoms of disease.

• Learning to communicate complex medical terminology to both colleagues and patients.

• Developing a holistic view of the individual, focusing on health promotion, comprehensive assessment, and evidence-based practice.

• Understanding models of reflective practice to support professional development while building effective relationships with clients.

• Focus on core elements that reflect the competence, professionalism, and underpinning knowledge of high-quality nursing.

• Gaining psychomotor skills to perform essential nursing practice through interactive clinical sessions.

• Exploring the consequences of negligence in a risk-free environment through simulated experience.

• Developing an understanding of the key issues related to healthcare practice informed by the best available evidence.

• Gaining critical appraisal skills and debating how best available evidence can be integrated into healthcare practice and policy.

• Debating the ethical issues that underpin best practice, including consent and risk management.

• Utilizing a range of research methods and exploring their merits and appropriate use.

• Gaining knowledge of major pathological and physiological changes in the human body.

• Exploring the manifestations, impacts, and interventions of illness and disease.

• Building on knowledge of physical and human sciences and exploring altered pathological and physiological change.

• Using a range of teaching and learning strategies to explore the impact of these changes and define the implications for nursing practice.

• Studying co-morbidity and medico pharmaceutical treatments and modalities to enhance wellbeing and recovery within the context of ethical and professional frameworks.

• Exploring the evidence base of mental health nursing practice and the range and hierarchy of evidence for particular healthcare issues.

• Developing the ability to make informed use of published research and other sources of evidence to apply findings to enhance practice.

• Enabling the production of an independent, negotiated project that analyzes an aspect of your discipline.

• Developing knowledge of self-awareness, improving healthcare, and working with others.

• Understanding key leadership theories and models.

• Exploring applications to healthcare and reflecting on personal strengths and areas for development.

• Examining the role of service improvement techniques and considering roles and responsibilities of all professionals alongside the values of teamwork in interprofessional care.

• Exploring carer and user perspectives in interprofessional care settings to illuminate personal experiences of interprofessional care.

• Studying ethical issues in the context of interprofessional working to gain insight into challenges faced from a variety of viewpoints.

• Exploring the impact of information technology, healthcare informatics, and issues in transcultural healthcare provision.

• Developing knowledge and the application of mental health nursing practice to workplaces within a range of clinical settings.

• Studying care provision across the human lifespan, including the health and wellbeing continuum.

• Learning biological, psychological, and sociological theory in the context of person-centered care.

• Focusing on individuals with complex health needs with emphasis on the concept of co-morbidity and the implications for care this entails.

• Exploring pharmacological principles and concordance.

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Structure:

• The program is divided into three years, with each year consisting of two semesters.
• The first year focuses on developing the foundation of knowledge and skills in mental health nursing practice.
• The second year builds on this foundation, with a focus on developing clinical skills and applying theory to practice in a variety of settings.
• The third year focuses on independent learning and project work, further developing critical thinking skills and preparing students for the NMC registration examination.

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Course Schedule:

• The course schedule is available on the University of Sunderland website.

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Individual Modules:

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Year 1:

• Critical Enquiry for Nursing Practice (10 credits)
• Bio-psychosocial Principles of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Practice (30 credits)
• Practice Placement 1 (60 credits)

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Year 2:

• Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses (20 credits)
• Holistic Nursing for Altered Physiology to Promote Wellbeing (40 credits)
• Practice Placement 2 (60 credits)

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Year 3:

• Dissertation (40 credits)
• Leadership and Interprofessional Learning (20 credits)
• Practice Placement 3 (60 credits)

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Module Descriptions:

• Critical Enquiry for Nursing Practice: This module introduces students to the skills required for evidence-based practice in mental health nursing.
Students will gain insight into engagement with learning styles, teaching methods, and the assessment process. They will practice using source materials for referencing and citation.
• Bio-psychosocial Principles of Health and Wellbeing: This module explores human health and well-being in the context of public health and symptoms of disease.
Students will learn through a systems-based approach to anatomy, physiology, psychology, and microbiology. They will learn to communicate complex medical terminology to both colleagues and patients.
• Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Practice: This module explores the core skills of mental health nursing and takes a holistic view of the individual, focusing on health promotion, comprehensive assessment, and evidence-based practice.
Students will understand models of reflective practice to support professional development while building effective relationships with clients. They will focus on core elements that reflect the competence, professionalism, and underpinning knowledge of high-quality nursing.
• Practice Placement 1: This module provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical components to clinical practice.
Students will study models of reflective practice and gain an overview of interprofessional working. They will gain experience and insight into lived patient experience.
• Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses: This module develops students' understanding of the key issues related to healthcare practice informed by the best available evidence.
Students will gain critical appraisal skills and debate how best available evidence can be integrated into healthcare practice and policy. They will debate the ethical issues that underpin best practice, including consent and risk management.
• Holistic Nursing for Altered Physiology to Promote Wellbeing: This module provides students with knowledge of major pathological and physiological changes in the human body.
They will explore the manifestations, impacts, and interventions of illness and disease.
• Practice Placement 2: This module allows students to develop knowledge and the application of mental health nursing practice interventions to provide evidence-based, safe, and compassionate physical and psychological care.
Students will effectively assess, plan, and implement care and demonstrate a range of mental health nursing interventions.
• Dissertation: This module allows students to explore the evidence base of mental health nursing practice and the range and hierarchy of evidence for particular healthcare issues.
Students will develop their ability to make informed use of published research and other sources of evidence to apply findings to enhance their practice.
• Leadership and Interprofessional Learning: This module helps students develop their knowledge of self-awareness, improving healthcare, and working with others.
They will gain an understanding of key leadership theories and models.
• Practice Placement 3: This module allows students to further develop their knowledge and application of mental health nursing practice within a range of clinical settings.
Students will study care provision across the human lifespan, including the health and wellbeing continuum.

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Assessment:

• Assessments are conducted through a variety of methods, including written reports, essays, examinations, oral presentations, portfolios, clinical reflection diaries, competency logs, patient care plans, and case studies.
• Clinical placements are assessed by registered practitioners through a combination of written observations, supervisor reports, and discussions.
• The dissertation is assessed by two independent examiners.

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Teaching:

• The program is delivered by a team of experienced lecturers and practitioners with expertise in mental health nursing.
• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group discussions, workshops, and simulation exercises.
• Students have access to a range of resources, including the University's Living Lab, which provides an interactive simulated environment for learning clinical skills.
• Students also have the opportunity to learn from PPI participants, who share their experiences of mental illness and recovery.

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Careers:

• The BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice prepares graduates for a variety of careers in mental health nursing.
• Graduates can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health teams, and private practice.
• The starting salary for mental health nurses in the NHS is band 5, and experienced senior nurses can progress to band 8 and beyond.

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Other:

• The University of Sunderland offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students on the BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing Practice program.
• The program is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

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Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• £9,250 if you're from the UK/Europe
• £16,000 if you're an international student
• European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who don't qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 24/25 admission, you'll receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies.
The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more in our Help and Advice article.