Developing mental health nursing practice
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 2 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| End-of-course assessment | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This is the first course in the Mental Health Branch for pre-registration nursing students. It provides opportunities for you to develop your knowledge, practical skills and evidence-based care in mental health practice. As well as introducing you to the concept of public health it also explores promoting mental health across the lifespan. Community mental health is a key feature of this course with specific reference made to the use of cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of mental health problems. Care and treatment options for service users and the application of mental health policy to practice are fully addressed.
Course content
KYN293 is designed specifically for pre-registration nursing students. It encourages you to apply theory to mental health practice, drawing on the theory course Diverse perspectives on mental health (KYN225). You are provided with the opportunities to develop relevant skills, examine issues of professional identity and to reflect and demonstrate the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards of proficiency. You will develop your understanding of mental health nursing practice in relation to a range of service users, their carers and families, and members of the interprofessional team within the mental health setting.
The course introduces you to the concept of public health and moves on to the role of the mental health nurse in promoting mental health across the life span. You will also undertake activities and practice to develop your understanding, skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- community mental health nursing, with specific reference to the increasing use of cognitive behavioural therapy
- care and treatment options for service users with enduring mental health problems
- caring for people across the life span, from children and young people to older people
- the application of policy to nursing practice.
Vocational relevance
This is the first practice-based course in the Mental Health Branch of the Nursing Programme leading to the Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing. The Pre-registration Nursing Programme, to which KYN293 contributes, has been approved for presentation in England, Jersey, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Entry
Preparatory work
You will receive guidance of how to get started online in your first course mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your course website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the course starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
Qualifications
KYN293 is a compulsory course in our
KYN293 is an optional course in our
We advise you to refer to the relevant award descriptions for information on the circumstances in which the course can count towards this qualification because from time to time the structure and requirements of a qualification may change. If you would like to know more about the Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Excluded combinations
If this course is in a similar area to one you have already completed, you can find out if it is an excluded combination.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Two course textbooks, CD-ROMs, audio CDs, five blocks of learning materials (each based on a different mental health topic) and accompanying resource materials. You will also have access to a course website through which teaching and library resources are available, including links to current information in the field of mental health, and relevant research-based materials. Electronic versions of most of the printed course materials are provided on the course website.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. Part of your tuition is delivered online so some of the contact with your tutor will be through email and online discussion forums, although phone communication may also be used. Your tutor will also organise and run a series of face-to-face tutorials, which are obligatory on this course. At these you will undertake practical work, but you will also have a chance to mull over some of the issues that crop up in your studies and any concerns that you have, both with your tutor and with fellow students.
If you encounter difficulties, either with your understanding of ideas and concepts from the course or with your study skills, your tutor or a specialist tutor (for example, one supporting students with dyslexia) can help. If you do need extra support or arrangements to accommodate any special requirements, you can access the services provided by your regional or national centre. These cover preparation and induction; learning-skills support, including examination preparation; services to students with special needs; educational and careers advice and guidance.
However, your coursework is not the only area where you receive support. You will develop practice skills at the same time as theoretical knowledge, so as to foster the integration of theory and practice. During your practice experiences you will have a mentor, who will assess your clinical skills and practice. Your mentor draws on evidence you bring to the assessed practice situation. Evidence of this assessment is verified by your mentor and recorded in your Portfolio.
Another key person who supports you throughout your work on the programme is your programme tutor. This person is a knowledgeable practitioner, who has an overview of your progress through the programme and who is able to see you holistically (in much the same way as the programme encourages you to see others holistically). Your programme tutor will come to see you and your mentor at various times during your practice experiences, and will work with both of you to examine how you are getting on and to verify to your Portfolio.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The TMAs are worth 50 per cent and the end-of-course assessment is also worth 50 per cent of the total marks.
Professional recognition
This is one of a set of courses that together constitute an approved programme leading to the professional qualification of Registered Nurse (Part 1: NMC). This course will be mapped against the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in April 2010 and April 2011. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept online registrations for this course. Students on this course must be working in a relevant environment and be sponsored by their own employer, so we cannot accept individual applications; your employer must apply on your behalf.
For further information, see the Entry section of this course description and contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
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An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
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