Nursing (Mental Health) (Pre-Registration)

Theory:

Theory teaching is delivered through a structured programme informed by constructivist, experiential, and transformative learning principles, ensuring that students actively engage with content and apply knowledge in authentic contexts. Theory teaching is delivered in the following formats:

• Lead Lectures (All students, online and synchronous): Introduce universal concepts. These sessions provide the core nursing concepts and foundational knowledge applicable across all fields of nursing practice.
• Seminars (Field of practice groups, online and synchronous): Contextualise concepts into Adult or Mental Health nursing practice. Seminars use small-group activities to engage in dialogue, debate, and reflection, encouraging deeper understanding and critical thinking.
• Workshops (Field of practice groups, online and synchronous): Using interactive case-based and problem-solving activities, allowing students to apply theory to practice and develop clinical reasoning skills in a structured, interactive learning environment.
• Guided learning (Hybrid: asynchronous tasks with synchronous feedback touchpoints): Reinforce academic and digital literacy skills. Guided learning activities are structured tasks that support heutagogical learning principles that encourage autonomy and lifelong learning. Guided learning activities are time-bound and tutor-monitored, distinguishing them from self-directed and independent learning.
• Online directed learning (Asynchronous): Delivered through Blackboard Ultra, directed learning refers to activities delivered online, including discussion boards, quizzes, and reflective journaling.
• Independent learning: Independent self-study is designed to develop critical thinking and academic autonomy, support heutagogy, and prepare students for lifelong learning and professional development. It is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.

Practice learning:

Practice learning is central to the MSc Nursing programme and is underpinned by experiential learning theory and social learning principles, ensuring that students develop competence through exposure to authentic, real-world experiences. These approaches align with the NMC (2024) Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses and the NMC (2023) Part 2: Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment. Practice learning consists of simulated practice learning and undertaking practice placements in a diverse range of clinical settings across the programme. The real-world learning environments that clinical and simulated practice placements offer foster work-readiness, professional development, confidence, and competence.

In line with the NMC (2023) Part 3: Standards for Pre-registration Nursing Programmes, practice learning constitutes 50% of the total programme hours. Practice placements are delivered in blocks, enabling students to immerse themselves in practice environments and apply theoretical knowledge in real-life contexts, a key feature of experiential learning. Students will complete two to three placements per part (year) in their chosen field of either adult or mental health nursing. Students may also undertake ‘spoke’ experiences in alternative or non-traditional settings to broaden their exposure to care across the lifespan. Experience across a range of settings aligns with a transformative approach to learning by encouraging students to challenge their assumptions, develop cultural responsiveness to the individuals they encounter, and be adaptable to diverse care settings and needs.

Students are supernumerary in practice settings. They are supported and supervised by their Practice Supervisors and assessed by Practice Assessors, who have undertaken additional training to undertake these roles in the practice learning environment. Students will also be assigned an Academic Assessor in line with the NMC (2023) Part 2: Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment for each part of their course, who will provide additional support during practice learning and ensure that the required standards are met to progress through the programme or complete it at the end of the final part. The relationships between student, Practice Assessor, Practice Supervisor and Academic Assessor reflect a coaching pedagogy that fosters the development of professional identity and confidence.

To complement real-world practice, students will complete 150 hours of simulated practice learning as part of the MSc Nursing programme. Simulated practice learning activities, which are delivered on-campus in high-fidelity simulation suites and community settings and mirror authentic clinical scenarios, they integrate technology to enhance learning, supporting digital literacy and aligning with NHS digital transformation priorities. Simulation incorporates role-play, manikins, and video-assisted reflections, embedding formative feedback from staff and peers throughout to promote continuous improvement and safe practice. Immersive simulations are realistic clinical scenarios where students gain experience with clinical procedures and skills in realistic settings, contextualising learning. The pedagogical approach to practice learning facilitates a transformative experience, developing autonomous and reflective practitioners capable of navigating complex care environments and contributing to service improvement. All simulated practice learning is supported and supervised by Practice Supervisors.