Nursing (Mental Health)

Theory:

You will be taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures and seminars. Case studies (developed in partnership with service users), support a scenario-based approach to learning which facilitates small group activities and discussions, leading to shared and individual problem-solving and decision-making. A campus-based curriculum design is adopted, complemented by appropriate use of both synchronous and asynchronous online learning, including VLE collaboration, flipped classroom and e-learning packages such e-workbooks, SafeMedicate, clinicalskills.net, which promote personalised engagement with learning.

All students will have a named Personal Academic Tutor for the whole of the programme. 

You will have opportunity to meet with their Personal Academic Tutor at four scheduled group meetings in part one to ensure you are settling into University life, to sign-post to any University services needed and to provide academic support. In parts two and three, to reflect growing confidence, a combination of individual and group meetings will be facilitated, with the expectation of three planned meetings each part. You can request at any point across your programme an individual personal academic tutorial. There will also be designated sessions provided by the Personal Academic Tutor relating to academic integrity, academic and reflective writing skills. The University places emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip them for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and the Personal Academic Tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful. If you're studying via the apprenticeship route, tripartite, 12 weekly individual progress reviews (ILPRs), involving the apprentice, their employer and a university representative, review the apprentice’s progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the Nurse Degree (2018) Apprenticeship Standard. With study skills embedded into the early stages of the course to help promote your achievement and confidence with learning and assessment. Study skills are further enhanced by the delivery of academic study days, provided by the Academic English and Skills Centre, available to all students in part one.

Practice learning:

At the core of the nursing programme is learning in a diverse range of clinical placements. Learning in the real world facilitates work-readiness, personal and professional development. Mandatory practice learning equates to 50% of the programme credit for each part, with the programme weeks equally shared between theory and practice learning. Your practice learning is mapped across the programme, gradually increasing as you gain confidence with students progressing from 43% of the programme hours in practice learning environments in part one, to 55% in part three, supporting your transition from student to Registered Nurse.

Your placements run in blocks across each part , with experiences normally in a minimum of two practice placements per part, in a setting appropriate to your field of practice. The use of ‘spokes’ (visits to alternative placement settings) to maximise learning opportunities offered by diverse and non-traditional settings offers exposure to opportunities to care for people from across the life-span, with mental and physical health needs and learning disabilities. Enhanced practice learning days, rooted in clinical practice, provide opportunities to consolidate learning, and for reflection and inter-professional learning, including added value learning experiences and seeking additional support as necessary to promote inclusive learning in the practice setting.

While on placement you are supernumerary and are supported by a practice supervisor and assessed by a practice assessor, both having undergone appropriate preparation for their roles. You will have access to the internet and library resources whilst on placement.

You will be provided with the opportunity to complete simulated learning activities. All simulated activities involve a range of people including students, peers, service users/carers, practitioners, technicians, academics and includes role play, ‘hands-on’ practical skills sessions using a range of simulation manikins, video recording and playback. Formative feedback on performance is provided to facilitate safe and effective support for essential skills development, in simulation suites, replicating hospital and community practice learning environments. This learning is particularly important in part one, with 20 days allocated to prepare you for your practice learning experiences. This is reduced in part two and three to 10 days per part.

You will have opportunity to complete a UK or international elective placement, during part 2, semester two. This a 2-week experience helping with the globalization of the programme and employability.