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Postgraduate Diploma

Nursing

(Mental Health)

Duration:

Full-time - two years

Start Dates:

September

Venue:

Uxbridge Campus

Cost:

None

Tel:

0800 0565 660

Email:

advice@bucks.ac.uk

Overview

This innovative Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (adult and mental health) programme is available to graduates who have already completed an honours degree in any subject and who wish to undertake study to embark on a career as a nurse.

The skills and abilities of the graduate candidate will enable them to respond to the challenges of the programme in order to gain an academic award as well as Registration as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in a shorter timescale than usual.

The course aims to produce compassionate, confident and collaborative practice-ready nurses who will:

• Negotiate and deliver intelligent care with compassion
• Be skilled in working within a range of contexts
• Respond effectively in complex and unpredictable situations
• Become autonomous; able to manage and lead teams
• Recognise opportunities for improvement and be innovative and responsive to changing needs of the population
• Able to offer the employer an enhanced capability in leadership, innovation and research such that they can envision, influence and transform nursing practice.

Structure

This two year full-time, intensive programme encompasses both generic and nursing field content in the three stages within the two years. It follows a modular structure and each stage consist of both theoretical and clinical experience components thus allowing for 50 per cent (2,300 hours) of time in the University and 50 per cent (2,300 hours) of programme time in nursing practice.

The diagram shows this course structure, into three stages. Pg Dip Nursing Course Structure

Stage One
This stage starts in September with an induction period and consists of 15 weeks theory to underpin nursing practice as well as preparation for nursing practice which is simulated in our ‘state of the art’ skills areas. Within this stage you will undertake three practice placements which will take you through to progression point one. Two of the placements will be within your chosen field of nursing with the other being a learning disability experience. There will be 21 weeks of practice in total which includes three weeks of annual leave during this stage. During your placements there will also be dedicated time where you will return to University for simulation of practice and integrated assessments. This first stage includes three modules:

• Learning for Life
  This module will largely be self directed. Your capability will be assessed at Interview and a portfolio produced for assessment during the early weeks of the programme. It assesses both personal competences for example; self awareness, self regulation and motivation and social competence: empathy and social skills and will draw on the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed that will be applied to enable your success through this programme.
• Sciences for Nursing (which encompasses theory and practice)
• Essential Nursing Skills (which encompasses theory and practice)

Stage Two
This stage starts in June and consists of 14 weeks theory as well as preparation for clinical practice which is simulated in our state of the art skills laboratories. This stage includes two modules:

• Research and Innovation for Nursing
• Leadership and Management in Practice

Within this stage you will undertake three practice placements which will take you through to progression point two. Two of the placements will be field specific with the other being a community placement. There will be 22 weeks of practice placement in total, with dedicated times where you will return to University for simulation of practice, supervision of project and integrated assessments.

You will receive four weeks holiday at this stage.

Stage Three
This stage consists of five weeks theory as well as preparation for clinical practice which is simulated in our state of the art skills laboratories. This stage includes two modules:

• Public Health Policy and Community-based Practice
• Applied Nursing Skills

Within this stage you will undertake four weeks of optional elective practice placements which could consist of an overseas placement. There will be 13 weeks of practice placement based on your choice of area of nursing practice. Themed pathways are developed in liaison with trust partners and are also based on employment opportunities and student interest.

Placements could include:

• Community Nursing
• Orthopaedic and Spinal
• Behavioural Therapies in mental Health
• Psychodynamic approaches

You will receive three weeks holiday at this stage.

Clinical practice

Undertaking clinical practice is a fundamental part of the course and takes place in both year one and two. Whilst in clinical practice you will be expected to undertake shift patterns and these will be determined by your placement area.

When you go out onto your practice placement, a clinical member of staff will provide mentorship, supervise your experience and assess that you are meeting the requirements of the course. All health professionals and other staff members will contribute to your learning experience, so it will benefit you to engage with the multidisciplinary team.

Clinical placements take place within NHS London and will include:

• Ealing Hospitals NHS Trust – Southall
• Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust – Uxbridge
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Hammersmith, west London
• Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore
• West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth, Middlesex
• West London Mental Health NHS Trust – Various London locations

For more information about all our Partner Trusts, please visit their individual websites.
Please visit our YouTube channel youtube.com/societyandhealth to view a realistic overview of what life is like on practice placement.

Professional Registration

Upon successful completion of the course students are awarded the postgraduate diploma in Mental Health Nursing, and are eligible to register with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC).

Entry requirements

• A first degree of at least 2:2 classification or above in a relevant subject i.e. Health and Social Care, Psychology, Biology
• A first degree of at least 2:1 or above in a non relevant degree subject not allied to Health
• All students require GSCE English and Maths at grade C or above (or equivalent). Alternatively, appropriate functional skills at Level 2 (Maths and English)
• An IELTS score of 7.0 in written and spoken English for non-native English speaking applicants is required.
• Satisfactory Occupational Health and Criminal Record Checks
• Insight into the nature of nursing and the role of the nurse
• All applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of study within the last five years.

Employment opportunities

Graduate Nurses are well placed to secure employment and gain promotion and Bucks New University have an excellent employability record. In a recent survey, after graduating 95 per cent of our students were employed as registered nurses.

Although many qualified nurses work in hospitals; nurses can also work in a variety of settings, including:

• General practice surgeries
• Community settings
• Outpatient day surgery
• Nursing homes
• Mental health services
• Private healthcare providers
• Prison nursing

Funding assistance

For UK and EU students tuition fees are paid for by the Department of Health. In addition a non-income assessed bursary in the region of £7827.00 per annum is available to students who meet the NHS Student Bursaries eligibility criteria. For further information please refer to the nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students.

How to make an application

Applications should be made through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service), this is a central organisation in the UK through which applications are processed for entry to higher education.

For more information about UCAS and making an online application, you can visit their website ucas.com or alternatively phone them on 0870 112 2211.

Buckinghamshire New University has a unique institution and course code which you will need to quote on your application form. When you have decided that you meet the eligibility requirements for the course and you have sent back your completed application form, UCAS will forward it to us.
We will then consider whether we wish to invite you for an interview.

Institution code: B94
Course code: Nursing (Mental Health): BR60

Selection process
Interview days are a crucial part of the selection process for the Nursing programme. In your personal statement, you should show examples of your educational achievements, motivation to become a nurse and the qualities you possess which you believe make you a good candidate

If you are selected to come to an interview you will be required to demonstrate that you have good communication, English, Maths and basic computer skills, which will be assessed as part of the selection process.

You will be invited for an interview to explore your interest and readiness to study this challenging but exciting programme as a means of becoming a registered nurse.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.