Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2022/2023 May
- Contact Name:
- Jack Morris
- Contact Number:
- Fees:
- Fee Information
The role of the mental health nurse is to foster the health and well-being of individuals experiencing changes in their mental health status.
Approaches to care include: promotion of mental health, prevention and treatment of acute mental illness and the maintenance of optimum health for persons experiencing enduring mental health problems. Mental health nurses engage in therapeutic activities with individuals and their families in a variety of community settings and in acute psychiatric hospitals.
Qualifying as a mental health nurse is the beginning of an exciting and rewarding career, as it opens up opportunities for working in a variety of settings. Due to the evolving role of mental health nursing in modern healthcare systems, many nurses now choose to specialise in areas such as addiction, forensics and child mental health. You can also pursue further specialist qualifications through graduate diplomas, master’s degree and PhD degrees.
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No
This post-registration Higher Diploma in Mental Health is an intense twelve-month programme leading to registration as a Psychiatric Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
As a Level 8 course, the programme represents a challenging yet rewarding path to becoming a mental health nurse. Regular assessment will help students to keep abreast of the new knowledge, skills and competencies required for success.
This exciting Higher Diploma prepares you to meet the mental health needs of adults and their families in the 21st century. You will learn 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.
We have seven overall programme outcomes which will be the focus thoughout the course. The aim is that the nursing graduates of the Higher Diploma in Mental Health will:
The post-registration Higher Diploma in Mental Health Nursing led by UCD in partnership with the HSE, is a fifty-three week programme leading to registration as a Psychiatric Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
In the 53 weeks, there are 12 theory weeks, 36 clinical practice weeks and 24 days annual leave.
All dates are set before the programme begins and annual leave can only be taken as per programme layout.
Clinical placements are confirmed in conjunction with UCD and the Area Directors/Directors of Nursing before the programme begins and cannot be changed by the student.
Clinical learning opportunities help you to apply theory to practice and to develop the required competencies for your Higher Diploma. Clinical placements are facilitated by our partner mental health services in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare areas:
(Please note, as part of NMBI requirements for registration, clinical placements over the duration of the programme will be located throughout the greater Dublin/Wicklow/Kildare region, regardless your sponsoring area).
For additional information, please click here
St John of God Hospital
Further information about the hospital can be accessed at
Note that this programme is available through a sponsoring mental health service and is not open to individual application. You will receive UCD registration information when you accept a place on the programme. You must be fully registered with UCD before you can commence the programme. Please note that there is a non-refundable administration fee of €50.00 payable to UCD. Once you have accepted a place on the programme, university fees are paid on your behalf by the HSE. As a student mental health nurse you are a paid employee of the HSE. HSE sponsorship details will be available on the HSE website with Higher Diploma in Mental Health Nursing application documents.
Candidates must:
English Language Entry Requirements
Applicants, whose first language or primary language of expression is not English, must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission (IELTS). The minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test. (Please click https://www.nmhs.ucd.ie/study-with-us/graduate-programmes/courses/higher-diploma-mental-health-nursing for further information on the UCD English Language Requirements)
OR
Provide evidence of having obtained an academic qualification, such as a diploma, degree or MSc, from an Irish university or wholly through the English language from a majority-English speaking country.
OR
Occupational English Test (OET) results are also accepted. These should be a minimum score of 350 on the OET.
The above HEI English Language requirement documentation if applicable must be uploaded to your PAC online application. Please note that for all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within the last two years.
Documents required:
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
Please note
Applications are first made to your employer before completing a UCD application form.
Applications are invited via the HSE Website. All details are provided in the HSE application documentation.
For additional information on applying to Saint John of God Hospital visit www.sjoghosp.ie/careers