Learning environment
The mental health nursing (BN) course is delivered through lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and workshops.
Lectures
You will spend the majority of the session listening to the lecturer and watching their presentation, while taking notes about the information presented. Lectures are usually delivered over an hour to 90 minutes though some may need up to 2 hours to complete.
You are encouraged to ask plenty of questions and are often asked to take part in directed discussions and debates with other students.
Structure
| Duration | Usually last for 60-90 mins, some may require 2 hours. |
|---|---|
| Number of students | Approximately 250 students for September cohorts or 100 for March cohorts. |
| Venue | Large lecture theatres with fixed tiered row seating. |
| Teaching style | Information is presented using a variety of audio-visual methods including lecture presentations, videos and interactive learning packages. Delivered primarily by School staff, but can feature guest lecturers from practice and service user experts. |
You will have the opportunity to be part of discussions, learn from your lecturer and other students in a mental health nursing lecture. lecture
Tutorials and workshops
Tutorials and Workshops are usually discursive in nature and provide an opportunity for deeper learning of new or previously explored topics.
They are also a good opportunity for you to ask questions they were not comfortable asking in a lecture format, and may feature
Structure
| Duration | Usually last for 60-90 mins, some may require 2 hours. |
|---|---|
| Number of students | Tutorial groups will contain 8-10 people who will learn together in the clinical skills suite, seminar rooms and occasionally present in lecture theatres. Workshops and tutorials will sometimes see 3 or 4 groups learning together. |
| Venue | Mostly in the clinical skills suite and small classroom / seminar rooms. |
| Learning style | Groupwork, simulated skills practice and student focused approaches. |
Practical sessions
The purpose of a practical session is to put theory into practice, and develop the skills of actually doing the job.
Simulated learning includes the performance of basic and complex nursing skills, while mental health practice emphasises learning around interpersonal communication and collaborative approaches to care.
You usually take it in turns to take the role of the nurse, service user or other professionals.
Practice in the communication booths can touch on emotive areas that reflect the real world of mental health nursing practice, and you must be prepared to challenge yourselves in terms of your own personal insights, learning and development.
Structure
| Duration | Usually last for 60-90 mins, some may require 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Number of students | Tutorial groups will contain 8-10 people who will learn together in the clinical skills suite, seminar rooms and occasionally present in lecture theatres. Workshops and tutorials will sometimes see 3 or 4 groups learning together. |
| Venue | Mostly in the clinical skills suite and communication booths |
| Learning style | Groupwork, simulated skills practice and student focused approaches. |
Professionalism in practical sessions
The clinical skills environment aims to replicate practice and all students are expected to maintain a professional manner to meet health and safety requirements, optimise infection control and promote learning. You are expected to adhere to professional appearance and uniform policy when in a practical session.
Independent study
Independent study is a key component of the course and therefore you will need to be able to take responsibility for your own learning.
Undergraduate study relies on self motivated and curious learners, independently exploring topics and issues introduced in the classroom or lecture theatre to broaden their understanding of this complex field.
The reading and research required for the regular modular assessments may be the most obvious self-study that students complete, but many modules also rely on individual or group preparatory work away from the classroom. The School uses a variety of collaborative on-line learning platforms to support this process, and you will be expected to engage with these technologies to help put together presentations, arguments for debates or as background reading for clinical skills sessions.