| Code | CK720 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BSc (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| CAO Points | 2024: 409 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 409-533 |
Course Outline
Our Mental Health Nursing course will provide you with excellent opportunities to develop knowledge and skills relevant to professional Psychiatric Nursing practice, including independent and critical thinking, and problem solving. It will enable you to deliver nursing care that is up-to-date and based on the best current evidence.
This four-year full-time degree course is offered in partnership with the Health Service Executive (South) (HSE) and on completion you can apply to register as a Psychiatric Nurse to the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the profession’s regulatory body. After registration, you will be ready to start work as a qualified psychiatric nurse in a variety of clinical settings.
The broad aim of the course is to promote your personal, intellectual and professional development to meet the role dimensions of a qualified practitioner of Mental Health Nursing. Each year, you will study modules in both theory and clinical practice. Clinical practice modules require you to be in supervised clinical practice in hospital, community and other healthcare settings for 35 hours per week for a number of weeks each year.
Theory modules include both nursing, and biological and social science modules, some of which are core (shared with students from other nursing/midwifery branches), while others are discipline-specific (taken by Mental Health Nursing students only).
Year 1 Modules
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
- NU1026 Academic Writing, Information Technology and Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- NU1032 Fundamental Knowledge and Skills for Nursing Practice (10 credits)
- NU1040 Infection Prevention and Control for Nursing and Midwifery Practice
- NU1042 Developing Hope-Inspiring Relationships and Psychology for Health Care (10 credits)
- NU1043 Recovery - Theory, Concept and Principles (10 credits)
- NU1045 Creative Therapies and Self Awareness Skills for Mental Health Nursing
- NU1044 Developing Skilled Mental Health Nursing Practice 1 (10 credits)
- SC1015 Sociological Concepts for Nursing
Year 2
Pharmacology and Medication Management for Nurses and Midwives; Research for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery Care; Recovery - Working with People through Crisis; Therapeutic Relationships - Communication and Self-Awareness; General Health Care for Adults with Mental Health Problems - Applied Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology; Social Justice and Mental Health: Combating Discrimination, Labelling and Stigma; Skilled Mental Health Nursing Practice.
Year 3
Health Promotion and Primary Health Care in a Mental Health Context; Mental Health Nursing: Politics, Policy and Practice; Developing Hope-Inspiring Relationships when working therapeutically with Individuals in Groups; Recovery - Working with Children and Young People with Mental Health Problems; Recovery - Working with the Older Adult with Mental Health Problems; Skilled Mental Health Nursing Practice.
Year 4
Research for Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery Care; Recovery - Working with Vulnerable Populations; Leadership and Therapeutic Team Working Skills in a Mental Health Setting; The Profession and Discipline of Psychiatric Nursing; Elective module: Skilled Mental Health Nursing Practice.
In Year 4, you will take a number of theory modules at UCC in semester one (before Christmas). In semester two (after Christmas), you will undertake a 36-week paid internship with your parent health service provider (HSP).
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
Technical Requirements
All Nursing and Midwifery undergraduate students will require access to their own personal Apple device (iPad or iPad mini) (iOS 12 or higher) and an Apple pen (or other compatible stylus). This is necessary to complete programme work while in college and scheduled clinical placements. Please see School of Nursing & Midwifery Tech Requirements for more information.
Why Choose This Course
Top 50 Ranking
University College Cork (UCC) is ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide according to the major World University Rankings and is ranked as one of the top 50 Nursing Schools. According to the QS rankings, UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is ranked as the top School of Nursing in Ireland and is the top-ranked subject at UCC. The Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Professor Josephine Hegarty notes:
The top 50 QS ranking is certainly a huge achievement for UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery. The ranking is a testament to all the hard work of our incredible students, faculty, and clinical partners. We’re extremely proud of the achievement and look to continue to push boundaries in ensuring academic excellence in Nursing and in advancing research capabilities and impact.
The BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing course at UCC is a highly sought-after course, as evidenced by the consistently high points required for entry to the course.
We can offer you a wide variety of clinical placements across a number of university hospitals and community facilities, representing all of the major psychiatric specialties. We can also offer opportunities to study abroad and have a large suite of postgraduate courses available to our graduates to facilitate further study needs.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Clinical Placements
The varied placement criteria and the extensive array of placement locations require students to travel to clinical placement areas throughout their nursing or midwifery programme, irrespective of their normal residence. This may also entail overnight stays, utilising accommodation in closer proximity to the assigned placement site. The purpose is to guarantee that students fulfil the clinical instruction standards outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Typically travel will be within the Munster, but can be outside the region. Some of our clinical partners include, but are not limited to, Mallow General Hospital (MGH), University Hospital Kerry (UHK), University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and Tipperary University Hospital (TUH). There are also several elective placement opportunities in Dublin and with our Erasmus partners throughout Europe.
The Allocations Office in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and our Clinical Partners use several methods to ensure equity in relation to students travelling eg preferred placement submissions and student rotation.
Study Abroad
The School of Nursing and Midwifery participates in several international research and educational programmes which allow you to undertake part of your BSc studies abroad. See our Go Abroad with UCC page for more information.
Skills and Careers Information
The course aims to provide you with sound clinical nursing skills (and the supporting knowledge base) necessary for starting your professional career as a Mental Health Nurse. These skills will be further developed through clinical experience and further study at postgraduate and in-service levels.
You will develop sound therapeutic interpersonal skills and self-awareness, as well as skills in independent thinking, problem solving, and analytical and clinical decision-making, as well as fundamental research utilisation and application skills.
On graduation, you may seek employment as a Psychiatric Nurse. Psychiatric Nurses work in a wide range of areas, including hospitals and community mental health facilities.
Traditionally, Irish nurses are highly regarded by other countries, enhancing work opportunities abroad, in particular in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US.
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Maths | Lab Science |
|---|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 |
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications
EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO. The application should include a statement of interest, and further details on applying can be found in our Mature Nursing Applications information.
Admission to the programme is based on an assessment test with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). NMBI will provide further information about the test on its website in advance of the test. Further information is available on the NMBI website.
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
QQI FET Entry
Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.