BSc (Hons) in Nursing in Psychiatric Nursing

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing in Psychiatric Nursing

Psychiatric nursing involves caring for people with mental illness. The focus of care is to promote positive mental and physical health, and to foster independence. This four-year, ab initio honours degree offered by AIT in conjunction with the Health Service Executive Midlands area and An Bord Altranais, has been developed in response to the changing mental health needs of the Irish public.

The course involves the study of theoretical and practice-based modules. Students will be exposed to classroom teaching and taught placements in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings within the Longford/Westmeath Mental Health Services and the Laois/Offaly Mental Health Services. They will undertake 63 weeks of theoretical study and 81 weeks of clinical placement over the four-years.

This programme in psychiatric nurse education will provide you with a substantive knowledge base and facilitate the development of professional skills that will enable you to respond constructively to mental healthcare needs.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Grade C3 in two higher-level subjects, plus four subjects at Grade D3 in ordinary level. These subjects must include Mathematics, a laboratory science subject and a language (English or Irish). Applicants must be not less than 17 years on 1 June in the year in which the programme commences.

FETAC

FETAC applicants to this programme must hold one of the following awards: Nursing Studies (DCHSN) or Community and Health Services (DCHSX) or Healthcare Support (DHSXX). They must possess distinctions in five modules which must include Anatomy & Physiology (D20001), Introduction to Nursing Studies (D20012) and Human Growth and Development (D20032) or Biology (C200006).

Modules

Year 1

Anatomy, Physiology & Microbiology, Principles & Practice of Nursing Care, Psychology & Communication, Learning at Third Level, Preparation for Practice, Clinical Placement I, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, Mood and Emotional Disorders, Community Mental Health Nursing, Sociology and Health, Professional, Legal & Ethical Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Clinical Placement II.

Year 2

Schizophrenia Spectrum Psychoses, Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Health Studies Care of the Adult in the General Hospital, Clinical Placement III, Specialist Adult Care Groups, Psychiatric Emergencies, Groups and Group Therapies, Enduring Mental Illness, Clinical Placement IV.

Year 3

Research Appreciation, Physical Health and Mental Illness, Therapeutic Approaches and Counselling Skills, Bereavement and Loss, Clinical Placement V, Law & Ethics, Applied Psychology and Applied Sociology, Normal and Abnormal Personality, Neuroanatomy and Electroconvulsive Therapy, Care of the Older Person, Clinical Placement VI.

Year 4

Integrated Psychiatric Nursing Practice, Challenging and Ethical issues in Psychiatric Nursing, Health Studies, Preparation for Internship, Clinical Placement VII, Clinical Placement VIII (internship). 

Progression

As a graduate of this course you can avail of further academic/professional courses in clinical specialties i.e. gerontology, behavioural nurse psychotherapy, addiction counselling, family and cognitive therapies, at AIT or other third-level institutions.

If you wish to pursue a career in specialist nursing practice, you can apply for higher diploma courses in areas such as behavioural psychotherapy and counselling. Alternatively you may choose to pursue advanced studies in nursing education or nursing management.

Professional Recognition

Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Nursing from AIT and registration with An Bord Altranais. The award of An Bord Altranais, Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), is both nationally and internationally recognised.

Career Opportunities

On successful completion of the course, and registration as a psychiatric nurse with An Bord Altrantais, you are qualified to apply for a range of psychiatric nursing posts and may apply for a position at staff nurse grade in the Irish healthcare sector, as well as seeking promotional posts in clinical nursing, nursing administration and nurse education.

Additional Information

Garda Clearance

AIT uses the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) to assess the suitability of applicants to this programme. This is due to the considerable amount of placements undertaken with children and vulnerable groups in society. Therefore, offers to this programme are conditional and could subsequently be withdrawn if applicants do not meet the Garda vetting requirements.