Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2016. To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
This qualification is now closed to new students.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Credit, Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44(0) 1908 653003 or by email.
The pre-registration nursing programme leads to the award of an Open University Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing and eligibility to apply for entry to the NMC Register (Part 1) as a Registered Nurse. To be considered for entry to this programme you need to be working as a healthcare support worker, be sponsored and supported by your employer and meet the statutory body’s minimum requirements for entry to nurse education. While studying the programme you will develop the knowledge, skills and understanding for contemporary nursing practice. The programme consists of equal amounts of theory and practice learning. Practice learning is organised to ensure that you have sufficient and appropriate practice experience. The programme involves a structured educational framework that uses the workplace as the site for student learning. Therefore it is only open to you if your employer is/becomes involved in this Open University partnership.
Planning your studies
The programme is offered in collaboration with employing organisations only. The Open University provides study materials, organises tutorials and manages the assessment procedures. It supports the practice learning element of the programme, which is provided by the student’s employer. Responsibilities are set out in a formal agreement signed by The Open University and the employing organisation.
NMC regulations require completion of nurse education programmes which lead to nurse registration within five years of full-time study or seven years of part-time study. Therefore there is a time limit for studying this diploma of higher education. You must obtain the required 240 credits within seven years of part-time study. However, please note that this qualification is only available until 31 December 2016. You need to remain in employment while you study and have supernumerary time for your practice learning.
Throughout the programme, there is a 50:50 split between theory and practice, learning in practice opportunities being planned to ensure sufficient and appropriate experience.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your diploma of higher education.
Modules
For this 240-credit diploma you require:
Common Foundation Programme
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to health and social care (K101)
|
60 |
|
- or
-
|
- An introduction to health and social care (KYN101)
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued 60-credit module KZL107
-
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules K100, KZX100, KYN100, KYN107
Branch Programme
And 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 30-credit module K272 / KYN272
|
- Refining mental health nursing practice KYN294
-
|
|
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module K225 / KYN225
-
|
- The discontinued 30-credit module KYN293
-
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module KYN257
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the necessary modules, the OU will award you a Diploma of Higher Education in Mental Health Nursing and you will be entitled to use the letters DipHE (Men Hlth Nsg) (Open) after your name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification