BSc (Hons) in Psychiatric Nursing
Course code: WD117

What is Psychiatric Nursing?

Psychiatric/Mental health nursing, a specialist field within the health care professions, is an interpersonal caring process which acknowledges the uniqueness of each person. The psychiatric nurse is concerned with the promotion of mental health, the prevention of mental illness and the provision of care to those with mental health problems.

Reasons to choose this course

Nursing is an excellent choice for students interested in a healthcare career.  Because human beings are complex, careers in nursing are amongst the most challenging; they are also some of the most rewarding.  Once graduated, your qualifications will take you anywhere in the world.  The Psychiatric Nursing Programme is delivered in a purpose-built, state of the art learning environment and students undertake clinical practice in many hospitals throughout the south east region.  Successfully completing all aspects of this programme allows you to register as a Psychiatric Nurse with An Bord Altranais.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may apply for positions at staff nurse grade within the Irish healthcare sector.  Universally Irish nurses are highly regarded in other countries thus enhancing work opportunities.  There are a multitude of opportunities available which include the following:

• Nursing in acute care settings
• Nursing in community care settings
• Counselling
• Clinical Nurse specialist
• Family Therapist
• Nursing Research
• Nursing management

Clinical Placements

Clinical experience is an important element of the course and is a requirement in order to register as a Psychiatric nurse.  There are 80 weeks of clinical placement throughout the course, including a 36 week experience in semester 7 and 8 during which you will be paid. Clinical placements include acute care settings, community settings such as day hospitals and home visiting, counselling including addictions, care setting for child/adolescent /older adults with mental health problems.  Students will be accommodated on clinical placements in Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow & South Tipperary.

Follow on Study

Following qualification it is possible to specialise in a number of areas within psychiatric nursing - Cognitive Therapy, Behavioural Therapy, Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Addiction Counselling at Higher Diploma or MSc level.  Alternatively graduates may choose to pursue advanced studies in nursing education or nursing management.

• MSc in Nursing (following two years relevant experience)
• Postgraduate Research

Course Outline

Semester 1	Semester 2
Nursing as Caring 1 Enquiry and Research Skills 1 Caring for client with Urinary, Digestive, Reproductive and Genetic Disorders Professional Safety & Communication Clinical Experience	Mental Health Perspectives Caring for client with Cardiovascular & Respiratory Disorders Lifecycle 1 Introduction to caring in Practice 2
Semester 3	Semester 4
Nursing as Caring 2 Enquiry and Research Skills 2 Caring for client with Affective & Perceptive Disorders Developing Caring in Practice 1	Caring for client with Central Nervous System & Endocrine Disorders Professional Development & Communication Lifecycle 2 Developing Caring in Practice 2
Semester 5 - 8
Other topics of study in semester 5 to 8 are: Mental Health Across The Lifespan, Caring for the Patient/Person with Substance Misuse/Abuse, Eating Disorders, Self-Destructive Behaviour and Personality Disorders, Applying Caring in Practice, Therapeutic Interventions, Mental Health-Issues and Challenges For The Individual Family in Community, Consolidating Caring in Practice.
Semester 7 & 8
Clinical Placements - Intership in Year 4 is a 36 week paid placement within the South East

Additional Applicant Requirements

Fitness to Practice - All applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination, at their own expense, to establish that they are healthy enough to take up the profession of nursing.  Full details will be sent to all on-time applicants.

Garda Clearance - All applicants will be required to complete Garda Vetting Application Forms.  Please note the following with regard to  vetting procedures once registered with WIT:

• Applicants will be provided with relevant forms and documentation for vetting within Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic
• It is mandatory for applicants who have resided abroad for a period greater than 6 months since the age of 12 years to provide WIT with a Police Clearance Certificate from those countries
• Clinical placements can only be arranged for students on receipt of satisfactory clearance
• Further information re Garda/Police clearance is available from the Nurse Allocations Office, WIT at 051 845601

Mature Entry

Use code WD817 for applications to the CAO for mature entry

For further information

Course Coordinator: Suzanne Denieffe, MSc, BNS, RGN, RPN, RNT
Email: sdenieffe@wit.ie

Recent Entry Points

Year	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Minimum Points	330	330	330	360	370

See also

• WIT Admissions Office