Nursing (Mental Health)

If you want to care for the psychological, social, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of others, becoming a mental health nurse is the first step towards a highly rewarding career. This exciting degree prepares you to meet the mental health needs of adults and their families in the 21st century. You will study in university and across a wide range of mental health services. Most importantly, you will learn from those who are experts. You will develop the skills to engage with those suffering mental distress or illness, as well as their families, in a positive and collaborative way, empowering them to cope and recover.

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

You will study a diverse range of subjects related to understanding yourself and others emotionally, psychologically, physically, spiritually and socially. You will learn how to communicate in a therapeutic way and to support and assist people to self-manage their recovery. Modules include:

First Year

Academic Reading & Writing • Foundations in Mental Health Nursing A & B • Scientific Principles 1 & 2 • Introduction to Psychology & Communication • Practice Placement

Second & Third Year

Mental Health Across The Lifespan • Specialist Care Groups • Pharmacology • Patient Safety & Microbiology • Health Promotion • Aging & Health • Therapeutic Interventions 1 • Acute Mental Illness • Practice Placement (Specialist & Core Mental Health) Further practice placements will also occur each year.

Fourth Year

Therapeutic Interventions 2 • Collaborative Nursing Practice for Mental Health • Leadership & Management • Evidence Based Practice • Health Psychology and Sociology • Internship Practice Placements

Practice Placement/Internship - You will have a 4 week placement in the Autumn trimester to prepare for internship. Internship takes place over 36 weeks and comprises of 4 core mental health placements.

Assessment for the course is through a combination of end of trimester exams and continuous assessment. Practice placements are assessed using the National Competence Assessment Document, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland’s Standards and Requirements.

Professional Clinical Experience

Practice placements, which form a significant part of the course are completed across a number of sites throughout the partner hospital, e.g. St. John of God Hospital or CHEast, in other Dublin and Wicklow based Health Service sites and in the IEHG. Students may be placed in any site on one or multiple occasions during their course to enable them to achieve the necessary clinical learning outcomes.

In second year, you have the opportunity to study in Europe for a trimester. See www.ucd.ie/nmhs/courses/international/ erasmusexchange.

Successful completion of this degree course qualifies you as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Upon registration, you can work in acute and community settings further developing your knowledge and expertise. Future professional career opportunities extend to management, clinical specialization, research and education. In addition, you can pursue further education at postgraduate, Masters and PhD level.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route

UCD Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems Programme Office
Health Sciences Centre
Belfield,
Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 6407
Email: nursing@ucd.ie
Web: www.ucd.ie/nmhs

Please note: Applicants who have previously failed to meet programme requirements in any Nursing or Midwifery programme or have any issues which would affect their registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland will not normally be eligible.

Other: Health Screening & Garda (Police) Vetting: Entry Information