Overview

Mental health shapes how people think, feel and cope at every stage of life, and with around one in four people affected by poor mental health at some point, skilled nurses in this field are needed more than ever. The BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) at the University of Hertfordshire splits learning evenly between university-based study and placements across hospital, community and voluntary sector settings, working with strong local NHS Trust partners. Students build therapeutic communication and assessment skills, explore ethically safe interventions and the effects of medication, and are taught by an academic team with a strong clinical research focus. The course suits students who want to make a genuine difference in people's lives, combining compassion with practical, evidence-based clinical skill.

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What You'll Learn

• The theoretical, psychological and social perspectives that shape our understanding of mental health and illness

• Therapeutic and empathetic communication skills for working with service users, families and carers

• Patient assessment, care planning and ethically safe interventions such as cognitive behavioural approaches

• The physical and pharmacological effects of medicines used in mental health treatment

• Recovery-focused, person-centred and evidence-based approaches to care

• Research methods and the role of service users and carers in shaping mental health research

• The social, cultural and spiritual factors that influence how patients experience and receive care

• Leadership, management and quality improvement in mental health nursing practice

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to assess the mental health needs of service users and design ethically sound, recovery-focused care plans in response. They will be equipped to communicate therapeutically and build trusting relationships with individuals, families and carers across diverse settings. Through extensive practice placements and research-informed study, students will develop strong clinical, critical thinking and collaborative working skills. Graduates will be eligible to register as qualified mental health nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, ready to pursue careers across hospital, community, crisis and specialist mental health services.