This course is underpinned by the desire to deliver kind, compassionate nursing care. It is a two year, full-time degree and supports those with a prior degree (2:2 or above) to become a registered mental health nurse at an accelerated pace. You will also need prior work experience in a service user context, allowing you to demonstrate the skills that underpin professional nursing registration. Your prior experiences will contribute to the learning opportunities within the course and together these will provide eligibility to register as a mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), as long as you meet the NMC’s requirements.

We are proud to support the workforce needs of the local region - our course is delivered in the context of the local health care environment and we aim to support our students to become qualified nurses who are employed locally. By studying this course you can be confident that you will meet the standards and competences contained within the NMC Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Programmes and Standards of proficiency for registered nurses (NMC 2018). The Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Nursing is an intensive course and you will need commitment, motivation and a desire to succeed. The programme holds high expectations that you are engaged and ready to be an independent learner and that you are able to meet the theory and practice hours required by the NMC that reflect a full time programme of study.

A significant amount of time in practice will be spent working alongside qualified nurses, applying theory to practice to develop key clinical skills and the ability to work as a professional in practice. Throughout the course you will experience a wide variety of practice learning environments across the Derbyshire region. These practice environments include hospitals; community settings; private, voluntary and independent sectors. Whilst on placement you will be required to experience a full range of shift patterns relevant to the practice environment you are placed in. Placement hours are subject to change.

You will engage in high fidelity simulated practice within the university and also be expected to engage in clinical supervision. Both of which will enhance and support your development as a confident and competent practitioner.