• » Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Psychiatric Nursing

    Programme Title  Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Psychiatric Nursing
    CAO Code: Standard/ Mature  LY918/ LY948
    LYIT internal code  LY_NNRSP_B
    Duration  4 Years ab initio
    Standard Code Places:  14
    Mature Code Places:  5
    FETAC/NCVA Places:  1
    National Framework Level  8
    Award Type  Major
    Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from HETAC
    Is this Programme for Me?
    This programme may suit those who wish to pursue an interesting and worthwhile career in the caring services. Applicants should have
    • An interest in acquiring the skills necessary to work with and care for people suffering from a wide variety of physical health problems.
    • A capacity to analyse problems and apply solutions based on best practice.
    • Good communication skills.
    • An interest in working with people who have mental health problems and are in need of care, support and rehabilitation.
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    Standard Code applicants must have passed at least 6 Leaving Certificate subjects, including the following subjects & results:
    • English or Irish 0D3 or better (not Foundation Level Irish)
    • Mathematics 0D3 (not Foundation Level Mathematics) (UK/NI Grade C or higher CG(S)E)
    • A laboratory science subject (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physics & Chemistry joint or Agricultural Science) (UK/NI Grade C or higher CG(S)E)
    • Three other subjects
    • A minimum of Grade C3 in at least two higher-level papers (UK/ N.I. minimum of two A levels)
    • A minimum of grade of D3 in the remaining papers.

    Or

    Have equivalent educational qualifications to those outlined above. The minimum entry requirements may be accumulated from more than one sitting of the Leaving Certificate or an equivalent examination. All applicants who meet the minimum requirements or who are taking the correct combination of subjects in the Leaving Certificate, or an equivalent examination are eligible to apply and will be ranked and selected on points.
    • FETAC applicants click FETAC
    • Applicants presenting non-Irish exams as a basis for entry, please check the IOTCEF listing to search for the entry relevant to your country
    • Applicants who are interested in taking selected modules only from this programme and/or those interested in studying this programme in a part-time mode, click Part-time Study
    Mature Applicants
    A quota of 5 places is allocated specifically for mature applicants on this programme. Mature Applicants (aged 23 or over on January 1st in the year of application) who do not meet the minimum educational requirements should apply via the CAO, using the mature code, before February 1st. These applicants will be required to undertake an aptitude test (organised by An Bord Altranais). Candidates are advised to prepare well and may find it useful to undertake some research of their own so that they have a broad overview of their chosen career. Mature applicant who fail to use the correct code or who apply after February 1st will be treated as standard applicants and will be assessed only the basis of Leaving Cert (or equivalent ) results presented.
    Further information regarding the selection procedures applying to mature applicants should be obtained from the Nursing Careers Centre at An Bord Altranais well in advance of application closing dates.
    What will I have to study?
    Year/SemesterProposed Modules,
    subject to approval    		Mandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Biological & Related Sciences 1 Mandatory  5  4
     Introduction to Social And Behavioural Sciences Mandatory  5  5
     Learning to Learn Research & IT 1 Mandatory  5  6
     Introduction to Nursing Mandatory  5  6
      Nursing Skills 1 Mandatory  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     1/2  Biological & Related Sciences 2 Mandatory  5  5
     Sociology And Lifespan Psychology Mandatory  5  5
     Learning to Learn Research And IT - 2 Mandatory  5  6
     Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing Practice Mandatory  5  6
     Mental Health Nursing Skills 2 Mandatory  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     2/3  Applied Biological & Related Science 1 Mandatory  5  3
     Individual Differences Sociology & Law 1 Mandatory  5  5
     Mental Illness & Therapy Mandatory  5  7
     Primary Health Care Mandatory  5  6
     Personal and Professional Development 1 Mandatory  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     2/4  Applied Biological & Related Science 2 Mandatory  5  5
     Individual Differences Sociology & Law 2 Mandatory  5  5
     Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health Mandatory  5  6
     Mental Health Nursing Care Mandatory  5  6
     Personal and Professional Development 2 Mandatory  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     3/5  Applied Biological & Related Science 3 Mandatory  5  3
     Sociology Abnormal Psychology & Law Mandatory  5  5
     Mental Health Across the Lifespan Mandatory  5  5
     Specialist Approaches in Nursing Care Mandatory  5  6
     Personal and Professional Development 3 Mandatory  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     3/6  Applied Biological & Related Science 4 Mandatory  5  3
     Sociology Health Psychology & Law Mandatory  5  5
     Experiencing Mental Illness Mandatory  5  5
     Personal and Professional Development 4 Mandatory  5  6
     Nutrition & Health Elective  5  6
     Complimentary Therapies Elective  5  6
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     4/7  Applied Biological & Related Science 5 Mandatory  5  3
     Arts & Humanities in Mental Health Nursing Mandatory  5  6
     Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Nursing Mandatory  5  5
     Perspectives in Nursing Management Mandatory  5  5
     Culture & Diversity in Health Care Elective  5  6
     Counselling Elective  5  5
     Taught Clinical Placement Mandatory  5  35
     4/8  Taught Clinical Placement
    (36 Week Internship)    		 Mandatory  30  39
    Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course the graduate will be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding in the following specialist areas and be able to apply this to the practice of psychiatric nursing:
    • Biological & Related Sciences
    • Social & Behavioural Sciences
    • Mental Health Nursing Practice Studies
    • Personal and Professional Development
    • Health Studies and Applied Research
    • Taught Clinical Placement
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    On successful completion of this programme learners may transfer to programmes at LYIT leading to the award of Higher Diploma in any of the following clinical nursing specialties:
    • Mental Health Nursing Care of the Adult
    • Mental Health Nursing Care of the Older Person
    Note that the above Higher Diploma programmes are only offered subject to Health Service Executive need. Thus all programmes may not be available every year. For further details contact the Department of Nursing and Health Studies.
    Progression to programmes leading to the award Post-graduate Diploma or Masters Degree, or in some case, to programmes leading to the award of a Doctoral Degree is possible.
    Follow up programmes elsewhere include:
    • Post Graduate Diploma in Nursing Education
    • Post Graduate Diploma in various clinical nursing specialties relevant to mental health.
    • Progression internationally to second cycle (i.e. “Bologna masters”) degree programmes is also possible.
    Career Opportunities
    The main employers are:
    • The Health Service Executive
    • Other Public Services
    • Private Sector Nursing Homes
    Former graduates are employed in the following capacities:
    • Staff Nurse
    • Clinical Nurse Specialist
    • Clinical Nurse Manager
    • Nursing Lecturer
    According to the feedback we received from our First Destination survey, the starting salary for recent graduates was €30,453. The prospects for nursing graduates are very good with the majority of graduates finding suitable employment immediately on successful completion of the programme.
    Health Declaration & Garda Clearance
    See: Nursing Overview Page.
    FETAC/NCVA Applicants
    2 places on FETAC quota. See: Nursing Overview Page.
    This course begins in September each year. How to Apply
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: