Master of Science in Nursing: Mental Health Care

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Working as a mental health nurse can bring unrivalled rewards. There is an acute global shortage of registered mental health nurse (RMNs) and this results in more jobs, better packages and a high level of job security. It is a highly challenging career and you are likely to be caring for the most vulnerable in society with a range of conditions.  Job satisfaction, as well as making a difference to society is arguably the main reason most people are motivated to become mental health nurses and, for the right people, this field of healthcare work can provide a wealth of stimulation and variety.   This programme aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of common and high burden / low prevalence mental health disorders, and the ability to make evidence-based clinical decisions on assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of patients.  You will be equipped to provide holistic, compassionate, recovery-oriented care which considers the unique requirements of the individual patient.

  • Award title

    Master of Science

  • Programme duration

    26 months

  • Validated by

    London South Bank University

Entry requirements

  • Honours Undergraduate Nursing degree (or equivalent)

  • Registered Nurse with a recognised national nursing authority

  • You must be a Native English Speaker or have a Prior university qualification via English or have an IELTS 6.5 or equivalent or complete the Cambridge Education Group English Language Assessment

What will I study?

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. History taking, interview skills, general assessment in mental health
  2. Bio-psycho-social, spiritual and cultural assessment
  3. Standardised methods and tools of assessment
    • strengths based assessment,
    • multi-disciplinary assessment,
    • risk assessment,
    • recovery assessment
  4. Differential Diagnosis
  5. Formulation of individualised care plans
  6. Role of agencies, family and other supporters in care and treatment plans

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. Global prevalence of mental health issues among the general population
  2. Interface of physical and mental health
  3. Mood disorders
  4. Anxiety disorders
  5. Substance misuse
  6. Personality disorders

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. Non-pharmacological management of mental health issues
  2. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Behavioural Activation.
  3. Motivational Interviewing
  4. Drug names and classifications
  5. Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics
    • Drug dosing & interactions
    • Adverse drug reactions
  6. Drug administration and management:
    • Safe drug administration to non-adherent patients
    • Occupational health & drug storing and handling

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. Child Development: risk and aetiological factors in the development of child/adolescent mental health problems, including prevention and mental health promotion
  2. Caring for children and adolescents with specific mental health difficulties
  3. Developing effective therapeutic relationships with children, adolescents, and their families
  4. Therapeutic interventions with children and adolescents
  5. Pharmacological interventions with children and adolescents
  6. Mental Health Emergencies in Children and adolescents

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. Psychotic Disorders
  2. Schizophrenia
  3. Pharmacological management of psychosis
  4. Intellectual Disability
  5. Community and Social Supports
  6. Eating Disorders

(20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

Weekly Topics

  1. Ageing in a mental health context
  2. Depression in older people
  3. Caring for people with dementia
  4. Recovery and person-centred care in older age
  5. Self-management and self-neglect in older age
  6. Palliative care, death, and bereavement

Masters Route A – The Research Masters Route

Module 7: Research in Mental Health Care (60 CATS, 600 learning hours)

Masters Route B – The Taught Masters Route

Module 8: Leadership & Management (20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

  1. Management and leadership theories
  2. Managing and leading in the context of nursing
  3. Principles of co-ordination, delegation, supervision, and monitoring of nursing care
  4. Teamwork, staffing, clinical handover and open disclosure
  5. Resource Management
  6. Change Management

Module 9:  Clinical Education (20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

  1. The role of the clinical nurse educator
  2. Enabling effective learning: theories of learning
  3. Needs Analysis and Curriculum Design
  4. Preceptorship and Mentoring
  5. Assessment Design & Administration
  6. Learning Technology in Education and Clinical assessment

Module 10: Patient Safety & Quality Improvement (20 CATS, 200 learning hours)

  1. Principles of Quality in Healthcare
  2. Principles of Information Systems in Healthcare
  3. Human Factors in Patient Safety
  4. Assessment of Quality and Safety
  5. Auditing and measurement of standards of care
  6. Action Plans to improve quality and patient safety

Programme benefits

What will you gain from this programme?

The programme aims to:

  • Provide you with a comprehensive overview of mental health nursing to provide an academic underpinning for those seeking to deliver care in this field.
  • Equip you with the ability to discuss the biopsychosocial factors underpinning conceptualisation of mental health, common mental issues and provision of care.
  • Equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand the experiences of people with mental health problems and to assist and facilitate their journey to recovery.
  • Enable you to consider appropriate assessments and treatments for a variety of metal health issues.
  • Provide you with the ability to differentiate the clinical presentations of various mental disorders and relevant evidence-based approaches to nursing intervention.
  • Integrate the principles of recovery and patient-focused care for mental health nursing practice.

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