BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) course preparation
To help you feel prepared for your mental health nursing degree, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some things to do right now. Read the information below to find out more.
Events before your programme begins
Before your course begins, you’re invited to attend two online events in January. The events are not compulsory but are available to help ensure you can have any of your final questions answered. The event on 20 January is scheduled over two slots to give everyone an opportunity to ask their questions. There is no need to log onto both of these unless you do have questions.
Your online events
Professional standards and the NMC
The regulatory body for the BSc (Hons) Nursing programme is the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The NMC have produced standards of proficiency that have to be met in order for you to be able to register, practice and remain registered as a nurse. The NMC are the professional regulatory council for Nurses and Midwives in the UK and Nurse associates in England. They do not register any other professions under their regulations.
Below you will find more information about the NMC and some tasks further down the page that will help you to become familiar with the standards of proficiency before you start your programme.
What do the NMC do?
- They maintain the register of nurses and midwives who meet the requirements for registration in the UK
- Set the requirements of professional education that supports people to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for entry to, or annotation on, our register
- Investigate serious concerns about nurses, midwives and nursing associates fitness to practice and take action if needed
- Shape the practice of professionals in developing and promoting standards including the code, and lifelong learning through revalidation
Your tasks
We will be looking at professional standards and professionalism in much more detail during the first two weeks of your programme. Make a note of any questions you have, we would love to hear them.
Suggested reading
Before you begin, you can prepare for your studies by reviewing some of the core texts recommended in the link below. You’re not expected to buy all of the books as Edge Hill University has an extensive library service and access to electronic resources. The library and learning services can be found in the Catalyst.
Suggested materials
Before you begin you’ll need:
- A fob watch with second hand
- Mini dictionary for nurses
- Access to the British National Formulary (BNF)
Things to do before your course begins
Shortly after you start with us in January, you’ll have a week-long induction. Your induction will include a number of themed events that are designed to familiarise you with the content of the programme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet with key staff and also interact with your fellow peers.
When you begin on your programme, affiliation to a union body is also recommended. For example:
Important: Occupational Health
You’ll be allocated an Occupational Health appointment at the clinic being held at our Ormskirk campus. The clinics will be held within the first weeks of you starting the course (dates are yet to be finalised).
Please remember that it is a condition of entry to the programme that you’re cleared and immunised by OH. If you don’t meet this requirement your place on the programme could be jeopardised. It’s also important to remember that if you’re not fully cleared by OH, you won’t be able to fully enrol on your course. This could then mean you can’t access your maintenance loan via Student Finance England.
So, to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible, you’ll need to provide details of your immunisation record to the OH Team when you complete the questionnaire.
If you’re unable to attend your allocated time slot, you must contact us, preferably giving at least 24 hours notice. If you’re unable to give 24 hours notice or have an issue on the day of your appointment, please email [email protected] or call the team on 01695 650946. The OH and School team will try to provide another appointment, but this is likely to be at the OH department based in Wigan and you will need to make sure that you attend.
Most of our placement settings will also require you to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as a condition of placement. If you’re not vaccinated or are part way through vaccination, please let us know as soon as possible. It’s likely that this will be included on your immunisation record which will be sufficient to confirm your clearance.
We routinely collect data on short notice cancellations and non-attendance. Unfortunately, if this happens more than once, the University will charge you the full cost of the appointment.