Nursing - Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice

Course Outline

This Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Diploma/Masters programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork.



We invite and challenge Mental Health nurses to think critically and creatively about how they, and their organisations work with people who are experiencing mental health difficulties. This programme places a strong emphasis on how Mental Health nurses can most effectively translate knowledge and skills into practice



The Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice programme is organised within the parameters of the five roles of the clinical nurse specialist and is underpinned by the principles and values of recovery. The modules in this course focus on developing proficiency in research, ethics, the application of advanced assessment skills, a range of psycho-social interventions, and the principles of leadership, management and practice development.



We deliver this programme using an innovative blended learning model which includes online and face-to-face teaching and learning. This will facilitate mental health nurses in engaging with lifelong personal and professional development through flexible modes of learning.



Programme Details



The MSc in Nursing programme, comprising seven clinical pathways, is structured into two parts and will typically be completed over two years from the date of first registration for the programme (60 credits in Part I and 30 credits in Part II).



All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice in Year 1 (60 credits) and will be registered for a MSc in Year 2 (30 credits). Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).

Programme Pathways

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice is Pathway 5 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:



Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (Pathway 5)

Year 1 (60 credits)



Theory modules

NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)

NU6080 Leadership, Management & Practice Development in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (10 credits)

NU6172 Therapeutic Engagement, Advanced Assessment Skills & Clinical Decision Making in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (15 credits)

NU6173 Psychosocial and Recovery-focused Interventions in Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice (10 credits)



Clinical Practice/Practicum modules

NU6148 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing I (5 credits)

NU6149 Clinical Practice in Specialist Mental Health Nursing II (5 credits)



Year 2 (30 credits)

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to the degree of Masters including the Diploma exit route are available to view in the College Calendar (Diploma/Masters in Nursing).



ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 5 - Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice



Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including the Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:



Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Pathway, applicants must be Registered Psychiatric Nurses;



Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Specialist Mental Health Nursing Practice Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;



Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised Nurse Manager stating:

(a) The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 18.75 hours a week

(b) They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements

(c) A Clinical Preceptor and/or Clinical Facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.



Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfill the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

• Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements.

Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

Methods of assessment are varied, including presentations, case studies, reflective assignments and assessment of competencies at clinical nurse specialist level. There are no written examinations.

2 Years - PG Diploma (Year 1); Masters (Year 2) Full-time.

Start Date 1 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

This course will give registered psychiatric nurses the knowledge and skills to work within the scope of practice of a clinical nurse specialist in all mental health service settings.