BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN PSYCHIATRIC NURSING

Why Study Psychiatric Nursing?
Psychiatric nursing involves caring for people with mental illness, of all ages and from a wide variety of backgrounds. Care is delivered in a range of settings such as hospitals, hostels, day centres, community and the service user’s home. The primary objective of psychiatric nursing is to promote positive attitudes to mental health and to help people achieve optimal health. The programme is delivered in a varied and diverse way and students are encouraged to develop effective interpersonal skills so that they may work effectively with individuals with mental health problems.

The programme involves the study of theoretical and practice-based subjects related to psychiatric nursing. Students will be exposed to classroom teaching and taught practice placements in a variety of home, residential and community settings throughout the Mayo/Roscommon region. Opportunities may also exist for students to avail of placements outside of these areas.

Students will undertake a 36-week paid internship in their final year of study during which they will gain clinical experience as well as making a significant contribution to service. Weekly protected reflective time for students is a built-in component of this experience. Graduates are entitled to entry to the professional register of psychiatric nurses maintained by An Bord Altranais.

Programme Modules

Biological and Related Sciences
Social Sciences
Nursing Practice Studies
Personal and Professional Development
Health Promotion and Research Studies
Clinical Practice Placement
Computer Applications (Year 1)

Career Opportunities
Graduates can apply to practice as registered psychiatric nurses and for positions at Staff Nurse Grade in the Irish Health Care sector. Graduates are also eligible to apply for registration as nurses throughout the EU and beyond. They may also seek promotional opportunities in Clinical Nursing, Nursing Management or Nursing Education.

Other Essential Information
Please refer to "Nursing, a career for you" available from ncc@nursingboard.ie.

Programmes are reviewed and/or redesigned every five years approximately. Module titles and/or modes of delivery may change accordingly.

VETTING REQUIREMENT
All places are offered on this programme subject to satisfactory Garda vetting clearance.

Follow-on Studies
Graduates who wish to pursue a career in a specialist nursing practice can apply for postgraduate programmes. Alternatively, graduates may choose to pursue postgraduate studies in nursing education or nursing management.