Nursing/Registered Nurse (Mental Health) BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
Mental health nursing is a highly rewarding career where you can make a real difference. One in four people experience mental health problems in any given year, and this course prepares you to work in collaboration with service users, their relatives and carers towards recovery. This course leads to registration as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
You'll study both generic modules - alongside students from all fields of nursing - and modules that focus specifically on mental health nursing. You'll have the opportunity to learn first-hand from mental health service users and carers, through our strong partnerships with service user and carer-led organisations.
At the end of your second year you'll have the opportunity to take an elective placement nationally or internationally.
We have strong partnerships with service user and carer-led organisations. These include the Recovery College, the Sutton Carers Centre and the South West London Recovery College, where you will have the opportunity to learn first-hand from mental health service users.
| Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | B765 | 2019 2020 |
| Location | Kingston Hill (for majority of the course) and St George's, University of London |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston University is ranked in the top three universities for Nursing and Midwifery in London (Guardian League Table 2019).
- It received more than 94 per cent for satisfaction for learning resources (National Student Survey 2018).
- Half of your time will be on placements and in simulation suites, helping you develop practical skills. Our award-winning simulation suite has twice won the Student Nursing Times Teaching Innovation of the Year award.
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. These are modules that will be delivered in 2019. Our 2020 curriculum is currently being revised in line with the new NMC standards.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
You will study both generic modules – alongside students from all fields of nursing – and modules that focus on mental health nursing.
Core modules
Science for Nursing
30 credits
This module focuses on developing your knowledge of anatomy and physiology with its application to nursing, including basic pathophysiology. It will also encourage you to build on and develop your entry-level numeracy skills. You will also begin to develop your knowledge of pharmacological concepts.
Nursing in Context
30 credits
This module presents the core topics which underpin nursing as a person- and family-centred profession including: history, policy, values, evidence-based practice, caring, compassion, communication and relationships. It also focuses on the individual within society from a psychosocial, economic and political health perspective. The module will introduce the concept of how professionals from all fields of nursing can contribute through partnership, to meeting the needs of identified individuals, groups and communities.
Foundations of Mental Health Nursing
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the foundations of mental health practice. It will examine attitudes and qualities necessary for recovery-focused and socially inclusive practice. The module will also provide an historical and contemporary appreciation of service development and an introduction to the essential conceptual frameworks underpinning contemporary mental health practice. It will introduce you to the common issues and disorders within mental health care and basic assessment processes. There will be an emphasis on the need to develop respectful and collaborative therapeutic alliances with individuals, families and carers.
Nursing Practice Part 1
30 credits
This module prepares you for your practice learning opportunities in part one of the programme. The module focuses on the development of professional values and the delivery of safe, holistic compassionate care. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with core essential skills as identified by the NMC Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.
You will develop your understanding of the application of person-centred care, assessment, clinical reasoning and decision-making. You will examine holistic care across the life span and focus on acute and long term care within this field of practice.
Core modules
Person-centred Care
30 credits
This module further develops your understanding of the application of person-centred care, assessment, clinical reasoning and decision making, within the framework of the '6Cs' and evidence-based practice. This module explores the actions a nurse takes to ensure that each person receives appropriate person-centred care, treatment and support. This module examines both acute care and long-term conditions across the life span and related to all nursing fields. It introduces you to the concept of clinical judgement in relation to the individual, family or community responses to actual or potential health needs / life processes and care delivery as an expression of person-centred nursing practice.
The Care Process in Mental Health Nursing
30 credits
This module focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver safe and competent practice in regards to implementing and evaluating a range of evidence-based care interventions within a variety of mental health settings. The module will give you the opportunity to develop and practise your knowledge and skills on a wide variety of key evidence-based interventions that are designed to meet the holistic needs of service users and carers. You will be able to explore the importance of measuring outcomes in care and evaluating the clinical effectiveness of their own performances through reflective practice.
Collaborative Working in Mental Health
30 credits
This module focuses upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work collaboratively with mental health service users. Content will centre on health promotion and physical health, including medication issues. The concept of shared decision making will underpin all interaction and intervention.
Nursing Practice Part 2
30 credits
This module will be delivered in part two of the programme. The module prepares you for your Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO). It focuses on professional values, the delivery of safe compassionate care in partnership with the client. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with essential skills as identified by the Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.
You will prepare for the transition to professional practice develop skills in management, leadership, team working and teaching and supporting learners. You will develop the critical thinking skills required to make informed decisions in clinical practice.
Core modules
Transition to Professional Practice in Mental Health Nursing
30 credits
This capstone module will enable you to reflect upon your personal and professional growth. It will draw on evidence of learning and development compiled throughout the programme. It will foster the development and application of leadership, management and team working concepts required for clinical practice. This module will enable you to reflect on the skills necessary to facilitate the transition to a Registered Mental Health Nurse.
Developing Evidence-based Practice
30 credits
This module is designed to enable you to further develop and consolidate your skills and knowledge regarding searching for, appraising, evaluating and applying evidence-based practice to ensure a life-long focus on best care at all times for your particular patient/client group. The module will also enable you to systematically organise and make analytical and objective judgements on the reviewed evidence in their field-specific areas of practice.
Complexities of Mental Health Nursing
30 credits
This module will enable you to develop assessment and intervention skills with a range of client groups with complex needs. It will critically examine contemporary and future policy and practice provision, including specialist services and the complexity of multi-agency working in this area of health and social care.
Nursing Practice Part 3
30 credits
This module prepares you for your practice learning opportunities (PLO) and final sign-off placement. The module focuses on professional values, the delivery of safe compassionate care and the assessment and management of patients with complex health care needs. The module aims to develop your clinical competence and confidence prior to registration. It is a generic module where all fields of nursing are engaged with essential skills as identified by the Standards for Pre-Registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2010). The module is a bridge between theory and practice.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
What our students say
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods include lectures, clinical skills sessions, seminars, tutorials, workshops, guided study and independent project work. Kingston University has well-equipped simulation suites where you can use clinical equipment and practise on mannequins and teaching models. In addition, simulated events in mental health nursing use experienced role-players working with lecturers and teachers - the mental health nursing team won the Student Nursing Times Teaching Innovation of the Year award 2012 and 2016 for their work in simulated learning.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Academic support
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
Your workload
| Type of teaching and learning | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| % of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity: | 56% | 58% | 62% |
| Scheduled teaching and learning: | 920 hours | 1048 hours | 1193 hours |
| Guided independent study: | 734 hours | 744 hours | 742 hours |
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
How you will be assessed
Assessment methods include; essays, exams, presentations and reports and clinical skills assessed in our simulation suites and by practice supervisors/assessors in practice placements.
The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:
| Type of assessment | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Coursework | 50% | 50% | 75% |
| Practical exam | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Written exam | 25% | 25% | 0% |
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Who teaches this course?
Our academic team of highly skilled nurses, lecturers and researchers are known for innovation in teaching and learning.
Course fees and funding
Facilities
You will be taught by the Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills team, clinical skills fundamental to deliver high quality care to patients in all fields of nursing within clinical, community and practice health settings.
You will take part in award winning innovative simulations with role players and full body manikins that provide unprecedented opportunities to acquire, develop and maintain the knowledge, skills, values and behaviors needed for safe and effective patient care.
Links with business and industry
We have 10 practice partners for mental health nursing from the NHS and private sector including:
- South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust
- Central and North West London Foundation NHS Trust
- Huntercombe Hospital
- The Priory Group
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Huntercombe Hospital
- Hexagon Housing Association
- Royal Hospital for Neurodisability (Putney)
- Cygnet Healthcare Woking
Extra practice learning opportunities
Students have opportunities to undertake a national or international elective at the end of year two. In the UK, students have worked at a wide range of settings including Broadmoor Hospital.
Mental health students have also travelled to:
- Ireland
- India
- Zimbabwe
- Zambia
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong
- Texas
- Philippines
After you graduate
Type of jobs
- Staff nurse - mental health
- Forensic staff nurse
- Staff nurse child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
- Research nurse
- Psychiatric liaison nurse
- Deputy ward manager
Accreditation
This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in nursing. On completion of the programme, students are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council for professional registration.
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
