Overview
The aim of mental health nursing is to promote mental health and wellness, to plan with, support and provide nursing care to people who suffer from mental illness and mental distress, and to support families and communities in dealing with mental health challenges. This care can be provided in acute care facilities such as hospitals, in peoples own homes and community care settings. Supporting on-going mental health recovery is an important role of being a mental health nurse.
Our graduates work with individuals, families and communities to prevent mental health problems so that as many people as possible can live full lives in community settings. At the heart of the role of the mental health nurse is the ability to establish therapeutic relationships with individuals and their families.
The course consists of 76 weeks of classroom- based theory and practical learning, interspersed with 81 weeks of clinical placements. A 36-week continuous rostered clinical placement is also included. This can take place either locally or internationally and encompasses a very broad range of clinical settings, including acute mental health, care of the older person, specialist care, adult general nursing and working with voluntary and statutory bodies. When you complete this course, you will be eligible to have your name entered into the Psychiatric Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann.
Our nursing programmes are taught in the purpose-built Sólás building at the MTU Kerry North Campus. This state-of-the-art facility has technology enhanced classrooms, lecture halls, practical skills laboratories and computer suites. Our partnership with the HSE offers students a wide range of exciting clinical placement facilities across counties Kerry, Cork and beyond. Throughout this programme, you will get great support from the University and from clinical staff, both in the classroom and on placement. ERASMUS opportunities are available for students studying mental health nursing at MTU.