COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Galway is a four-year, internationally recognised program designed to prepare students for a rewarding career as a Registered Mental Health Nurse. Through a combination of academic learning, clinical skills development, and professional practice, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and competencies required to deliver safe, compassionate, and person-centred care across diverse healthcare settings. Guided by expert lecturers and experienced mental health professionals, students engage in a dynamic learning environment that balances theory and hands-on experience, fostering critical thinking, professional judgement, and reflective practice. Completion of the program enables registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), ensuring that graduates meet the professional standards for practice as set out by the NMBI (2023).Throughout the course, students develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health nursing, encompassing the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care in collaboration with patients, their families, and multidisciplinary teams. Core competencies include ethical and accountable practice, effective communication, delegation, inter-professional teamwork, leadership, and evidence-informed decision-making. The program emphasises professional values, patient dignity, autonomy, and rights, while integrating research, critical reasoning, and problem-solving into practice. Students also develop skills in self-awareness, reflective practice, and professional scholarship, enabling continuous growth as both practitioners and individuals.The curriculum comprises 23 theory modules and 8 clinical modules across four years, structured to gradually build students’ expertise. Theory modules provide knowledge of mental health conditions, nursing approaches, and best practices, while clinical modules offer supervised hands-on experience in real-world settings. Modules are classified as shared, profession-discipline specific, or combined, allowing students to engage with both general nursing principles and mental health specialisation. The program culminates in an internship in the final semester, where students consolidate their clinical skills and transition confidently from student to qualified mental health nurse. By blending academic study with practical experience and professional development, the BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing equips graduates to make a meaningful impact on the mental well-being of individuals and communities.