Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Mental Health)

Bachelor Honours Degree
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CAO points history
388
Course code
LM152
Duration
4 Years
* Not all applicants who scored these points were offered places.
† Students admitted to the programme are required to undergo a Garda Vetting process.
Fees
See what fees may apply to students
Subject area
Health Sciences
Course Director
Dr Louise Murphy
Email
nm@ul.ie
Tel
+353 61 23 4346
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755
Queries
Contact the Academic Registry
Apply Now for September

Are you interested in working with people who are experiencing mental health problems and helping them towards recovery? Are you interested in caring for people? Do you have good communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team? Are you willing to learn, practise and take on the responsibilities of providing skilled mental health nursing care? If so, then this course might suit you.

Why Study Mental Health Nursing at UL?

The B.Sc. Nursing (Mental Health) is a fulltime four year degree programme offered by the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive West (Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary). On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to present for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and practice as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (R.P.N.). The Department of Nursing and Midwifery has received approval from NMBI for the programme.

As a student Of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick you will combine theoretical study with practice placement experience. In practice you are provided with opportunities to gain real-world experience working with service users and diverse populations in Mental Health Care practice placements within the Mid-West region of Ireland.

The BSc Nursing (Mental Health) programme is designed to ensure that you graduate with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to deliver recovery focused compassionate care, responsive to the mental health needs of individuals and communities within evolving healthcare settings. The graduate will be able to work collaboratively and in partnership with service users, their families/carers, the wider community and other health professionals in providing a proactive, evidence-based quality holistic service.

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What you will study

The programme is offered full time over four years.The curriculum encompasses the development of theory and practice simultaneously, with the programme structured as follows:

  • 63 weeks Theory (minimum)
  • 45 weeks unrostered Clinical Placement
  • 36 weeks Internship

Nursing is a demanding profession both physically and emotionally. Successful applicants must be of good physical and mental health and have the ability to achieve the required competencies of a nurse. Offers of places on the nursing programmes are subject to satisfactory completion of Garda Vetting & Health Screening, including vaccination. This will be organised by the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. Prospective students should be aware that there is likely to be a cost implication borne by the student for health screening and vaccination.

CODE SEMESTER 1 CODE SEMESTER 2 SUMMER
NM4131 Shared Module:
Promoting Safety within a
Healthcare Context		 CP4171 Practice Placement 1  
NM4121 Shared Module:
Foundations for Engaged Learning		 NM4092 Shared Module:
Introduction to Health and Health Promotion		  
NM4261 Introduction to Mental Health Nursing NM4122 Nursing the Person with Comorbid Physical and Mental Health Disorders  
NM4271 Introduction to Mental Health Disorders and Recovery NM4152 Shared Module:
Biological Sciences Applied to Nursing & Midwifery 2		  
NM4151 Shared Module:
Biological Sciences Applied to Nursing & Midwifery 1		 PS4062 Shared Module:
Introduction to Psychology applied to Nursing and Midwifery		  
NM4161 Shared Module:
Communication and interpersonal Relationships in Nursing & Midwifery		      
CODE SEMESTER 3 CODE SEMESTER 4 SUMMER
CP4172 Practice Placement 2 CP4193 Practice Placement 3  
NM4273 Introduction to Psychosocial interventions NM4154 Promoting Recovery in Persons Experiencing Psychosis  
NM4283 Promoting Recovery in Persons Experiencing Mood and Emotional Disorders NM4164 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Persons  
NM4173 Shared Module:
Biological Sciences Applied to Nursing & Midwifery 3		 NM4243 Shared Module:
Nursing Individuals Living with Long Term Conditions		  
NM4183 Shared Module:
Principles of Infection Prevention & Control for Nurses and Midwives		 NM4104 Shared Module:
Law and Ethics for Nursing and Midwifery Practice		  
NM4022 Shared Module:
Pharmacology for Nurses and Midwives		 S04014 Shared Module
Sociology of Health and Illness for Nursing and Midwifery		  
    CP4115 Practice Placement  
CODE SEMESTER 5 CODE SEMESTER 6 SUMMER
CP4125 Practice Placement 5 NM4076 Shared Module:
Nursing in Primary and Community Settings		  
    NM4086 Shared Module:
Research and Evidence in
Healthcare		  
    NM4165 Child and Adolescent Mental Health  
    NM4056 Crisis Resolution and Risk Management in Mental Health Care  
    NM4116 Shared Module:
Transition Towards a Competent
Practitioner		  
 
CODE SEMESTER 7 CODE SEMESTER 8 SUMMER
CP4126 Practice Placement 6 CP4097 Practice Placement 7  
NM4067 Shared Module:
Practice Research Project		 CP4008 Practice Placement 8  
NM4077 Shared Module :
Leading and Managing in Quality Practice		      
NM4147 Mental Health Nursing and Complex Care Needs      

Entry requirements

CAO points history
388
Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Enquiries about the methods of evaluation of results of examinations and qualifications other than the Republic of Ireland Leaving Certificate Examination should be addressed to the Admissions Office.
Subject requirements

In addition applicants must hold an O6/H7 grade in one of the following Laboratory Science subjects: Biology; Physics, Chemistry; Physics and Chemistry; or Agricultural Science.
Additional considerations

QQI Entry

Certain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules.

Mature Students

Applicants who wish to be considered for a place on the grounds of mature years must satisfy Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann as to their suitability by means of an assessment test. Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before January 1st of the year of enrolment. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application Information for Mature Student Applicants.

Application information for mature student applicants

In addition to the CAO application, mature students must also register for an assessment test with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Mature applicants may also be considered on the basis of examination results. Such applicants should also consult the booklet: Nursing and Midwifery A Career for You, published by the Nursing Careers Centre, An Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann Tel +353 (0)1 6398500 Website: Careers in Nursing and Midwifery

HEAR/DARE

For further information on the Higher Education Access Route – HEAR

For further information on the DARE Route- DARE

English Language Requirement

Assessment of English language competence is a requirement for entry for students whose first language/primary mode of expression is not English.
Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.

 

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,106
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,206

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,106
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,206

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,106
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,206

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €26,800
Student pays Student Levy €100
€26,900

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Employability skills from this degree

  • Flexibility
  • Adaptability
  • Empathy
  • Organisational skills and time-management
  • Leadership
  • Determination and tenacity
  • Conducting research
  • Utilising research and evidence-based practice
  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Collaboration
  • Working in partnership with different disciplines
  • Teamwork
  • Compassion
  • Professional responsibility and accountability
  • Critical thinking
  • Reflection

Further Study Options

Job titles for graduates with this degree

Upon registration with NMBI, there are many different employment and career opportunities available to Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN). On registration nurses can work as a staff nurse in inpatient and community settings. Nurses can also specialise and become a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) or Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP). Specialist areas include, for example, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Addictions, Forensic Psychiatry.

Recent graduates of this programme are working as Registered Psychiatric Nurses in hospitals, in the community, and in the private sector in Ireland, The EU and outside the EU.

Student Profiles

Sarah Moloney
I was always interested in mental health and how the brain works. With mental health, it’s different to treating broken bones or cuts and bruises - it can be the same illness with different presentations. You see something different every day and you’re constantly learning.

The course has a good balance of both theory and practical work. In years 1 and 2, there are lots of common modules between the disciplines, such as anatomy and physiology and pharmacology. As you progress you concentrate more on your discipline-specific core modules, such as child and adolescent mental health, mood disorders and psychotic and personality disorders. You spend a lot of the 4 years on placement which prepares you for the work of a registered nurse. You will get the opportunity to work in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and acute mental units.

When you complete a nursing course at UL, the opportunities are endless. Nursing can bring you all over the world and if you’re not interested in travelling you have so many areas you can branch into, like working with those who experience enduring mental illness, care of the elderly, community work and specialist services such as drug and alcohol. What I love about my course is how much I’ve accomplished over the 4 years. I love that I’m going to be quali ed in something that I enjoy doing and look forward to further opportunities.

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