Nursing (Mental Health) with Foundation Year
Mental health nursing is a profession dedicated to supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties to live as well as possible, recover where that is achievable, and maintain their wellbeing and dignity whatever the nature and severity of their condition. Mental health problems currently affect around one in four people in the UK at some point in their lives, and nurses in this specialism work across a wide range of settings, from acute inpatient wards and crisis teams to community mental health services, addiction services, and forensic settings, providing assessment, therapeutic support, medication management, and care coordination.
At the University of Derby, this four-year programme with foundation year is designed for caring and compassionate students with strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to helping people. The foundation year provides additional academic preparation before the main nursing curriculum begins. Through the degree proper, you will develop the clinical knowledge, therapeutic skills, and professional values needed to work as a registered mental health nurse.
You will study mental health conditions, pharmacology and medicines management, psychological therapies, safeguarding, mental health law, and the ethical frameworks that govern professional nursing practice.
Clinical placements are integral to the programme, giving you direct experience of working with people experiencing mental health difficulties across different care settings, developing your clinical competence and the professional confidence that qualified practice requires.
On qualifying and registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, you will be eligible to work as a mental health nurse across NHS and independent sector settings. Career pathways include community mental health nursing, inpatient nursing, crisis and home treatment teams, forensic mental health, addiction services, education, and clinical leadership. Postgraduate study in advanced practice, psychological therapies, or mental health leadership is available for those who wish to develop their expertise.