Nursing (Mental Health)

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 approach, complemented by appropriate use of both synchronous and asynchronous online learning, including virtual learning environment collaboration, flipped classroom and e-learning packages, which promote personalised engagement with learning.

You will meet with your personal academic tutor four times in year one and three times in years two and three.

At the core of the nursing programme is learning in a diverse range of clinical placements, learning in the real world which facilitates work-readiness, and personal and professional development. Mandatory practice learning equates to 50% of the programme credit for each year. Your practice learning is mapped across the programme, gradually increasing as you gain confidence. By year three you will complete over 55% of the programme in practice learning environments, supporting your transition from student to Registered Nurse. Your placements run in blocks across the year, with experiences normally in a minimum of two practice placements each year, in a setting appropriate to your chosen 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, provide opportunities 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. Further support is provided by the inter-professional team, a nominated person (usually a member of the practice education team) and an academic assessor allocated for each part of the programme. You will have access to the internet and library resources whilst on placement.

You will be provided with the opportunity to complete skills and simulated learning activities. All skills and simulation activities involve a range of people including students, peers, service users/carers, practitioners, technicians, and academics and include 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 state-of-the-art simulation suites, replicating hospital and community practice learning environments. This learning is particularly important in year one, with twenty days allocated to prepare you for your practice learning experiences. This is reduced in year two and three to ten days per year.

You will have the opportunity to complete a UK or international elective placement, during Year three, semester one. This can be either a four-week or a twelve-week experience, helping with the globalization of the programme and employability.