Nursing - Community Mental Health Nursing - Sligo St. Angela's

Programme Overview
The Master of Health Science/Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing totalling 90 ECTS is delivered over 2 academic years. On successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma phase of the programme, students can then chose two options:

Option One: Exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing

Option Two: Continue their studies, for one further academic year, bypassing the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing award, and continuing to complete a 30 ECTS research dissertation module for the award of Master of Health Science in Community Mental Health Nursing.

Note: Students who elect to continue on to complete the Master's programme, will at the end of their studies hold a Master of Health Science qualification (not both a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master of Health Science award).

The theoretical component of the Postgraduate Diploma part of the programme is comprised of six modules. One of the modules is a clinical placement. Four are theoretical modules and are core to the programme. The remainder is optional i.e. you have a choice of one module among four (see program outline for further details). The four optional modules are comprised of the areas relevant to the clinical care programmes in mental health.

A variety of teaching strategies are employed in this programme reflecting the notion of adult learning. These include lectures; enquiry/problem based learning, practical skills workshops, inductive discussion, e-tivities, facilitated discussion boards, group reflection and individual reflection on practice. Self-directed learning is also incorporated into the programme allowing students autonomy in choice and independence in learning. Reflection on practice allows students to link theory with practice and link practice to an evidence base. Enquiry/problem based learning facilitates the student to learn through a process of enquiry encouraging student autonomy, independence of learning and engages the student in the learning process.

Why Choose the Master of Health Science/Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing?

- Programme is university accredited
- Blended Learning Options.
- Providing education in specialist subject areas of Mental Health
- Mental Health is a growing specialist area in Nursing

Work Placement
The Professional Practice module aims to expose the student to contemporary mental health care in the community for a minimum of 300 hours. As well as exposure to as many aspects as possible of community mental health care, the student will take on a caseload which offers him/her the diversity of conditions and challenges to facilitate completion of the clinical competency document as well as the associated clinical portfolio. The student will have a preceptor will help to facilitate the placement as well as assess the student's competence throughout the placement.

Programme Outline
There are five core modules and then students can choose one optional module from a list of four below*.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing:
- Making Recovery a Reality: A Co-produced Module
- Therapeutic Communication
- Advanced Research Skills
- Primary and Community Mental Health Care
- Professional Practice (Clinical)

*Student can also choose one module from the following four modules:

- Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Assessing and Managing Clients Presenting Following Self-harm
- Early Intervention for People Who Experience First Episode Psychosis
- Eating Disorders in Adults and Adolescents

Master of Health Science in Community Mental Health Nursing:
Research Dissertation

- Be a Registered Psychiatric Nurse on the Psychiatric Division of the active register maintained by NMBI.

- Be currently practicing as a psychiatric nurse.

- Have at least 18 months post-registration experience in psychiatric nursing (exclusive of post-registration courses).

- Hold a primary degree in nursing. If applicants do not have a primary degree in nursing, they will be invited to complete an access course (1 day attendance in college). Upon successful completion of this access course, students can then be enrolled onto the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Community Mental Health) Level 9.

- International students will require a degree of fluency in the English language. A score of 6.5 in the IELTS Academic Test is required. This equates to a score of 570 in TOEFL.

Application Process: www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie

One year, part-time (PG Diploma). Additional year, part-time (MHSc).

Start Date: September 2020

Further Education
On successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma phase of the programme students can then chose two options.

- Option One: Exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing

- Option Two: Continue their studies, for one further academic year, bypassing the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Community Mental Health Nursing award, and continuing to complete a 30 ECTS research dissertation module for the award of Master of Health Science in Community Mental Health Nursing.

Note: Students who elect to continue on to complete the Master's programme, will at the end of their studies hold a Master of Health Science in Community Mental Health Nursing qualification (not both a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master of Health Science award).

Career Opportunities
Students are able to build upon their previous nursing expertise with education in the area of Mental Health Nursing. They are able to respond proactively to changes in their practice and work environment and become key drivers in the development of their professional practice. This programme provides a pathway to Masters level education.