MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) Mental Health

Bachelor (Honours) degree at 2:2 or above in any degree subject.  Alternatively we can accept a Bachelor (Ordinary) degree in nursing with distinction where registration is in an alternative field to the one you are wishing to study (e.g. child health or learning disability). There are two phases to the application process. In the first we assess your eligibility for the programme. If you are found to be eligible, you will then be asked to complete a pre-entry portfolio of approximately 2800 words to provide evidence of your relevant prior learning and experience related to the role of a nurse (a template and guidance will be provided). This enables you to study a shortened pre-registration nursing programme which is two years rather than three years. The portfolio provides evidence of you undertaking a minimum of 500 hours (equivalent to 12-14 weeks full-time) of occupational or voluntary work supporting the health and/or wellbeing needs of people, in addition to demonstrating a minimum of 500 hours of appropriate theoretical learning and understanding evidenced from a previous degree and practice.

National 5 Maths and Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) at grade C or above taken within the past 5 years is also required  - if applicants do not have these we can suggest alternative online equivalent courses to undertake.

Please note that students who have already studied a Nursing degree are unlikely to receive funding for a second Nursing degree.

To ensure safe and effective practice, all offers to the programme and continuation on the programme will be conditional on a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check by Disclosure Scotland (which will include a criminal record check), an acceptable Good Health and Good Character assessment as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and that you are passed as fit to practice following an Occupational Health review.

This programme requires a high level of digital literacy to enable engagement with learning materials, using a variety of digital platforms and databases to search for information and evidence, and collaboration as a member of a community of learning during tutorials in a digital space.

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto this programme.

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form.

For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more

Please see our website for funding opportunities

By studying mental health nursing at Edinburgh Napier University, you will be able to provide practical recommendations and solutions to promote patients’ recovery through the knowledge you have gained.  You will have developed effective interpersonal communication skills which are required within mental health nursing, enabling you to deliver care to those in hospitals and the community as a registered mental health nurse. On completion of your degree numerous opportunities will become available such as work within a hospital setting, in community units, in child and adolescent mental health services, in dementia services, in prison services, within forensic psychiatry and drug rehabilitation, in third sector organisations or research settings to name a few.

What does a Mental Health Nurse do?

As a mental health nurse, you will build therapeutic relationships with your patients after identifying their requirements in terms of mental health support. You will have high professional standards, leadership and decision-making skills, and be able to make links to areas such as physical and mental health in planning and delivering care.  

Daily tasks you might carry out in this role include:  

• Promoting positive mental health to your patients through nursing practice
• Championing equality and diversity and challenging stereotypes and stigma in mental health
• Work to address the physical health inequalities experienced by people who have a severe mental illness
• Diagnosing mental illnesses and creating a care and treatment plan
• Delivering and evaluating care
• Administering medication and adjusting dosages.
• Assess people experiencing a mental health crisis, and working with multidisciplinary colleagues to plan care and support, including inpatient and community-based treatment Increasing quality of life in patients with a mental illness. 
• Keep and update medical records.

Modules that you will study* as part of this course:

• Assessment and Care Planning ( NUR11121 )
• Co-ordinating Care ( NUR11125 )
• Health in a Social and Geographical Context ( NUR11120 )
• Improving Safety and Quality of Care ( NUR11124 )
• Providing and Evaluating Care ( NUR11122 )
• Theory and Practice 1 (TAP 1) - Accountable Professional ( NUR11119 )
• Theory and Practice 2 (TAP 2) Learning and Managing Nursing
• Care and Working in Teams ( NUR11123 )

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.