Nursing - Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice
The Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice programme is organised within the parameters of the five roles of the clinical nurse specialist and is underpinned by the principles and values of recovery.
| Award Name | Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
2 Years - PG Diploma (Year 1); Masters (Year 2) Full-time.
Entry Requirements
There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to the degree of Masters including the Diploma exit route are available to view in the College Calendar (Diploma/Masters in Nursing).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 5 - Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice
Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including the Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:
Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Pathway, applicants must be Registered Psychiatric Nurses;
Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;
Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised Nurse Manager stating:
(a) The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 18.75 hours a week
(b) They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements
(c) A Clinical Preceptor and/or Clinical Facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.
Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfill the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
This course will give registered psychiatric nurses the knowledge and skills to work within the scope of practice of a clinical nurse specialist in all mental health service settings.
Further information
Start Date 2 September 2024
Closing Date Open until all places have been filled or no later than 7 June 2024. Early application is advised.
Course Outline
This Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Diploma/Masters programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork.
We invite and challenge Mental Health nurses to think critically and creatively about how they, and their organisations work with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. This programme places a strong emphasis on how Mental Health nurses can most effectively translate knowledge and skills into practice
The Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice programme is organised within the parameters of the five roles of the clinical nurse specialist and is underpinned by the principles and values of recovery. The modules in this course focus on developing proficiency in research, ethics, the application of advanced assessment skills, a range of psycho-social interventions, and the principles of leadership, management and practice development.
We deliver this programme using an innovative blended learning model which includes online and face-to-face teaching and learning. This will facilitate mental health nurses in engaging with lifelong personal and professional development through flexible modes of learning.
Programme Details
The MSc in Nursing programme, comprising seven clinical pathways, is structured into two parts and will typically be completed over two years from the date of first registration for the programme (60 credits in Part I and 30 credits in Part II).
All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice in Year 1 (60 credits) and will be registered for a MSc in Year 2 (30 credits). Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).
Programme Pathways
There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice is Pathway 5 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:
Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (Pathway 5)
Year 1 (60 credits)
Theory modules
NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)
NU6080 Leadership, Management & Practice Development in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (10 credits)
NU6172 Therapeutic Engagement, Advanced Assessment Skills & Clinical Decision Making in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (15 credits)
NU6173 Psychosocial and Recovery-focused Interventions in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (10 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
NU6148 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing I (5 credits)
NU6149 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing II (5 credits)
Year 2 (30 credits)
MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)
Methods of assessment are varied, including presentations, case studies, reflective assignments, and assessment of competencies at the clinical nurse specialist level. There are no written examinations.
On successful completion of this programme, Specialist Mental Health Nursing students should be able to achieve a number of learning outcomes including the following:
Understand and critically evaluate the theories, concepts, and principles underpinning specialist mental health nursing practice in order to actively contribute to the development of person-centred, co-produced and recovery-oriented services through critical reflection, innovation, and leadership;
Critically appraise, evaluate, and apply current research and best practice evidence when working with people experiencing mental health problems;
Identify and critically evaluate ethical issues and work with service users, family, friends, carers, supporters and other health care professionals;
Challenge and question values, beliefs, and policies underpinning mental health care at the individual, team, and organisational level;
Develop knowledge of and skills in implementing and managing change, leadership, research, audit, quality care and inter-agency working, in order to initiate nursing-related practice developments, which will lead to the provision of high-quality care for people experiencing distress;
Develop specialist clinical competence and practice, using a recovery approach, to ensure that the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of person-centred care and clinical decision-making is based on best practice and evidence and supported through clinical supervision and practice development;
Act as a means of professional support, educator, and role model for the facilitation of lifelong learning to ensure ongoing professional development in self and others.
Contact Details For This Course
Maria O'Malley
MOMalley@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 4901479
https://www.ucc.ie/en/nursingmidwifery/
Ms Eimear Corcoran
eimear.corcoran@ucc.ie
+353 (021) 4901560