As a society, we generally find it much easier to talk about being physically unwell than about mental ill health. Mental illness requires just as much care as physical illness – sometimes even more so. Being a mental health nurse means you'll be crucial in helping people get their lives back on track.
**Why study this subject?**
Whether you have a personal experience with people with mental illness or simply want to help those who struggle day-to-day, you can apply to be a mental health nurse. You will help people get through their illness, whether it is anxiety, depression, psychotic disturbances, paranoia, dementia or other disorders affecting older people.
What makes mental health nursing such a challenge is the sheer diversity of situations you will have to respond to, no two days ever being the same. And you know that every day, you can make a difference.
**Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?**
We've been running nursing programmes for many years and have a high rate of employability. 98% of our students are in employment or in further study six months after graduating (HESA 2020). Many of our students are employed by the Trust that they worked with during their time at the University.
You will benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University and practice, in partnership with our NHS Trust partners. As well as this you will be taught by lecturers who have a wide expertise in the field. Our lecturers also maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is up-to-date with modern practice.
We have simulation facilities to enable you to practise your skills in a realistic and safe environment. We offer continuous support throughout the programme, both in the University and in practice.
You will receive personal tutoring and benefit from a high level of research within the teaching team. You will also benefit from our annual one day inter-professional conference, focused on safeguarding and dementia.
As well as this you will have the opportunity to put your learnt skills into practice through a range of clinical placements. We're renowned for the support we offer you while you are on placement. Members of the teaching staff are assigned to each clinical area and will visit you regularly whilst you are out in practice.
We offer a variety of clinical experiences in a range of settings. Our NHS partners include Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and West London NHS Trust.
Clinical practice opportunities include:
- Adult acute mental health inpatients
- Adult mental health recovery inpatients
- Older persons mental health inpatients
- Children and adolescent mental health services
- Forensic mental health community teams
- Prison healthcare
- A range of community services supporting people to remain in their home whilst receiving support and treatment e.g. crisis resolution and home treatment teams, primary care plus, recovery teams, older persons community mental health team, memory teams, cognitive impairment and dementia teams, etc.
- Private healthcare settings.
We make sure that you'll have the knowledge and the confidence to work as a nurse before sending you out into clinical practice.
Our team of experienced lecturers have a collective wealth of knowledge from working in a number of areas, including:
- Child mental health
- Dementia
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Community mental health care
- Acute mental health inpatient care.
Our enthusiastic and dedicated nursing team have a passion for what they do and will support you throughout the programme.
Once you graduate, you'll be able to register as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and be able to practice in the UK.
Course Details - Modules
Year One: Foundation Skills for Mental Health Nursing, Foundations of Mental Health Nursing Practice, Health, Wellbeing and Disability: Implications for Mental Health Nursing, Professional and Academic Skills for Nursing. Year Two: Broadening Perspectives on Practice, Intermediate Metal Health Nursing Practice, Intermediate Skills for Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Community Nursing Public Health in Action, Research Methods for Nursing. Year Three: Leadership and Collaborative Interprofessional Practice, Mental Health Nursing Skills Underpinning Complex Care, Research in Nursing, Towards Autonomy in Mental Health Nursing Practice.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
B761
Institution code:
B94
Campus Name:
Uxbridge Campus
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Year 2
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
A typical offer will require a UCAS Tariff score between 112-136 points; or an Access to Nursing qualification (minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction, 12 at Merit, and 3 at Pass).
Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall or equivalent for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS).
You may find it easier if you have prior knowledge of health, so we prefer if you have relevant A Levels - such as Biology, Health and Social Care, Chemistry, Psychology, Physics, Physical Education, and Sociology. However, it is not essential.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
