CAO Code LY918

Letterkenny Campus

Bachelor of Science (Hons)

Mental Health Nursing

4 years / Level 8 / Full-time / Work Placement

Is this course for me?

Our Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing is a four year course that will prepare you for a fulfilling career in mental health and associated fields. It’s a fascinating and rewarding career in every regard.

Certain semesters of this course are taken in common with other courses.

Year One

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
1	Biological & Related Sciences 1	Mandatory	5	7
	Introduction to Social & Behavioural Sciences for Nursing	Mandatory	5	6
	Professional Nursing Studies 1	Mandatory	5	7
	Nursing Theory and Practice 1	Mandatory	10	13
2	Biological & Related Sciences 2	Mandatory	5	7
	Lifespan Psychology & Societal Influences Relating to Nursing	Mandatory	5	6
	Professional Nursing Studies 2	Mandatory	5	6
	Nursing Theory and Practice 2	Mandatory	10	13
	General Nursing Practice 1	Mandatory	10	35

Year Two

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
3	Promoting Health and Well-Being	Mandatory	5	5
	Professional Nursing Studies 3	Mandatory	5	6
	Applied Biological & Related Sciences in Mental Health	Mandatory	5	6
	Mental Health Care & Recovery	Mandatory	15	17
4	Applied Biological & Related Sciences in Mental Health	Mandatory	5	7
	Principles and Practice of Mental Health Nursing	Mandatory	10	11
	Mental Health Nursing Practice 2	Mandatory	5	35
	Evidence Based Practice	Mandatory	5	6
	Social Science Perspectives on Health Care Delivery	Mandatory	5	5
	General Nursing Practice 2	Mandatory	5	35

Year Three

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
5	Mental Health Nursing Practice 3	Mandatory	30	35
6	Applied Biological & Related Sciences in Mental Health	Mandatory	5	7
	A Lifespan Approach & Resources for Healthy Living	Mandatory	15	17
	Individual and Collective Well-being	Mandatory	5	10
	Leadership & Management in Nursing	Mandatory	5	6

Year Four

SEMESTER	MODULES	MANDATORY/ELECTIVE	CREDITS	CONTACT HOURS
7	Research in Practice	Mandatory	5	6
	Applied Biological & Related Sciences in Mental Health	Mandatory	5	7
	Contemporary Mental Health Nursing	Mandatory	10	10
	Development of the Skilled Practitioner	Mandatory	5	6
	Mental Health Nursing Practice 4	Mandatory	5	35
8	Mental Health Nursing – Internship	Mandatory	30	39

Follow-on Courses

Follow up programmes elsewhere include:

Master degrees in institutes and universities at home and abroad

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Minimum Six 06/H7
English or Irish 06/H7
Maths 06/H7
One of Phy/Chm/Pch/Bgy/Ags at 06/H7
At least two H5

Number of Places	32

Reserved Quota
Mature Applicants	5
DARE	1
HEAR	1
QQI FET Applicants	3

Special Requirements

Health Declaration

Applicants wishing to pursue this programme must complete a Health Declaration. Applicants must be deemed fit to practice in order to continue on the programme

Garda Vetting

Applicants for this programme are required to undergo Garda Vetting. For any programme where Garda Vetting is required, non-EU applicants will not be considered unless/until the pool of qualified EU applicants has been exhausted. For those admitted to any course requiring Garda Vetting, registration is temporary until such time as the vetting process is successfully completed.

Mandatory Training

Students will be required to undertake mandatory training as outlined by the course schedule. This is required prior to students going on placement.

Practice Placement

Practice placement is an integral part of the course. The aim of the placement is to provide learners with an opportunity to gain skills, experience and competence. Practice placements are normally 35/39 hours per week and you may be required to work nights, long shifts and weekends. Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the learner.

Information for:

Student Experience

-- Ciara McGahern

As a newly qualified psychiatric nurse from LYIT, I can say with great confidence that my time spent here was simply memorable and rewarding! Not only was I able to excel in my career choice, I also made some lifelong friends as a result of the close knit community here at LYIT.

As for the college work and placements I can only say with appreciation they were incredible! With on-going support from lecturers, to working alongside such experienced professionals it is without doubt due to the experience I have received on these placements that have made me the nurse I am today! The diversity of placements LYIT offer to students is definitely second to none and I can only recommend that putting yourself in a similar situation can only further your education as a whole.

LYIT is a fantastic college for any student to begin their future career and is an Institute that is continuing to grow. I'm proud to say I was part of its growth and hope you will be one day too.

Career Pathways

The main employers are:

Clinical Nursing
Nurse Management
Education Sector

Graduate Careers

Graduate careers typically include:

Community Nurse
Public Health & Psychiatric Nurse

Employer Testimonials

How To Apply Scholarships Download Prospectus

Key Information

CAO Key Dates:
Discounted closing date – 20 January (17:15)
Normal closing date – 1 February (17:15)
Late closing date – 1 May (17:15)
Change of Mind opens – 5 May (12:00)
Change of Mind closes – 1 July (17:15)
Round 1 offers – 20 August (06:00)

Further Information

Department Administration: +353 (0)74 9186310 / +353(0)74 9186308 / +353(0)74 9186303

Head of Department Dr Louise McBride
Email: nursingandhealthstudies@lyit.ie
Telephone: +353 (0)74 9186308

School and Department
Faculty of Science & Health
Department of Nursing & Health Care