Islanders can now apply for a new Mental Health nursing degree without needing to go off-Island to study.
The 3-year, full-time programme is a Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) degree awarded by the University of Chester. It will prepare prospective nurses to care for people of all ages, with a variety of mental health and social care needs, both in their home, in the community and in hospital.
The degree will be provided on-Island by a team of nursing tutors with experience in a wide range of mental health care and clinical settings, and research project management.
Head of Education for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals in Jersey, Julie Mesny said: “We're delighted to offer the Mental Health Nursing Degree on-Island for the first time. The course is subject to final approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is expected next month.
“However, we’re able to start planning for the programme to begin in September 2021 by asking for prospective students to register their interest now on the Government of Jersey website. “Students will spend 50% of their time studying theory, while the other 50% will be spent in clinical practice working day, night, weekday, and weekend shifts. This includes placements in acute mental health care, community mental health care, emergency care, specialist mental health care, elderly care and child and adolescent mental health.
“Students also having the opportunity to experience off-Island placements, and, in the past, students have organised placements in Manchester, London and Sri Lanka.”
Chief Nurse, Rose Naylor, added: “We are so proud to able to offer the Mental Health Nursing Degree entirely on-Island. Long anticipated, this is a major development for Jersey, especially as it will increase access to careers in this important field of nursing.
"This will help to strengthen the Island’s mental health workforce with home-grown talent without the need for students to go off-Island to study.”
The Minister for Health and Social Services Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “The Education team in Health and Community Services have done a remarkable job in organising this Mental Health Nursing Degree programme, including securing on-Island tutors and programme facilitators, whilst in the middle of a pandemic.
“Jersey’s mental health services are an incredibly important part of our frontline healthcare workforce and being able to increase the numbers of nurses in this area with home-grown talent is important for the future of the service and the mental well-being of Islanders.”
Deputy Jeremy Maçon, Minister for Education, added: “I’m delighted that this Mental Health Nursing Degree is being launched. I was keen to see this come to fruition in my previous role as Assistant Minister for Health with responsibility for skills development, and, for me, it takes on added significance in my role as Minister for Education.
“Being able to provide Islanders with an on-Island degree pathway for mental health nurses enables Jersey to retain home-grown talent in a vital area of our health workforce.”
More information on the degree and how to apply is available via the Government of Jersey website.