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What will I learn on this module?
This module will enable you to apply the biosciences and social sciences to understand determinants of health- social, psychological, behavioural, environmental and biological factors. You will develop an understanding of the functioning of the body at different levels (cell, tissue, organ, system) and how the mind and body interact and influence one another. This knowledge will assist you in delivering safe, holistic, and person-centred care.
This module builds on the knowledge gained in semester 1 and considers the importance of holistic assessment.
In this module you are offered opportunities to learn about supporting people with mental health distress and how to apply this knowledge to offer high quality and safe care to service users and their families. You will study the following;
• Physical systems of the body and the reciprocal impact on mental health
• The psychological aspects of traumatic life events and the reciprocal impact on physical health
Topics you will cover include:
• Anatomy and physiology
• Deterioration in physical and mental health
• Drugs and medicines interactions within living systems
• Holistic assessment, planning, delivering and evaluating care
• Introduction to consent and legal frameworks within mental health services
• Introduction to Functional Analysis of Care Environments (FACE) risk and narrative risk assessment
• Diabetes
You will explore the experiences of people with a mental distress and their families through meeting with ‘Experts by Experience’ and practitioners specialising in mental health.
How will I learn on this module?
You will be empowered to become an independent learner through engagement with an evolving concept curriculum, in which you will take responsibility for developing the knowledge, skills and values to meet the needs of all individuals and their families in your care through innovation and the delivery of evidence based, person centred practice.
You will be engaged in a variety of learning and teaching approaches throughout this module. It will be delivered using a blend of web-based resources to support face-to-face workshops and seminars, underpinned by the ‘flipped classroom’ approach (Bergmand & Sams, 2012). It is crucial that you engage with both the directed and self-directed study outside of the face-to-face sessions to ensure that you are fully prepared for all facilitated sessions. This is non-negotiable and sets the expectations of becoming an accountable and professional nurse.
The classroom sessions will include individual work, group discussion and debate where you will be encouraged to share learning, consider competing perspectives, and begin to develop a deeper understanding of applied life and social sciences when working alongside those in experiencing mental health distress.
In addition, you will be provided with a ‘Study & Research Skills’ workbook, in which you will actively engage with the directed tasks to develop your academic writing and research skills across the evolving concept curriculum.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by a dedicated and highly motivated module team of mental health nursing lecturers with knowledge of the concepts and perspectives considered within the module. You will receive ongoing guidance and feedback to support you to engage with the module. Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email and the eLearning portal.
You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, who will meet with you regularly and provide you with consistent pastoral support and access to academic guidance.
You will have access to the module electronic learning platform (eLP), where you will find a range of learning materials, videos, workbooks and on-line supportive materials packages.
Support for your overall student experience is also offered via the 24-hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Library Services and Skills Plus and the Ask4Help Service. You will be encouraged to support one another within your group and to seek guidance from practice supervisors in relation to applying the key theoretical concepts within your placement.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1- Develop an understanding of applied anatomy, physiology, psychological and sociological principles and pharmacology within the concept of health and illness
2- Understand and utilise fundamental concepts and principles underpinning professional, safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led person centred holistic care.
3- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding required to provide people, families and carers with accurate information that meets their needs before, during and after a range of interventions.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4- Understand how the module theory relates to the development of clinical formulation and how this shapes subsequent plans of care for people and families with a range of care needs to maintain optimal independence and avoid unnecessary interventions and disruptions to their lives.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5- You will develop and reinforce the characteristics of a student nurse governed by the NMC Code (2018) as you will consider the values and ethical practice that underpins mental health nursing. This will include working collaboratively with other disciplines, individuals within services and their significant others. You will gain the ability to provide information to patients about their diagnosis/formulation to promote understanding to enable patient engagement in decision making about their care and treatment.
How will I be assessed?
Formative assessment
This will be a continuous process throughout the module. You will receive feedback on peer group case study projects from facilitators, module tutors and peers. In addition, you will complete self-assessment activities which be available electronically
Summative assessment
You will be required to complete a 2-hour unseen examination on life/ social sciences. The questions will be based on the module content and using a case study approach.
The exam will be taken and invigilated on campus face to face
Exam results will be available electronically via blackboard and the exam paper
Exam results will be available electronically.
Covering MLO’s- 1-5.
Feedback will provided via the academic marker using a grading form in alignment with Level 4 assessment rubric.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
This module will enable you to demonstrate your ability to apply your knowledge of the reciprocal interplay between biological and psychological systems to explore determinants of distress and ill-health in conjunction with lived experienced narratives. It is essential that all fields of nursing are cognisant with biological, psychological and environmental systems which lead to distress, perpetuate and worsen distress and how these can be treated so that they may practice in an evidence-based way. Nurses also have professional responsibilities for monitoring safety and effectiveness of treatments and providing advice and validated explanations for service users and families.
Building on the work in semester 1, the module will enable you to complete a holistic assessment and formulation. You will be able to communicate effectively within inter-professional teams, acting as an advocate and contribute to inter-professional decision making to provide high quality and safe nursing care in a range of environments.
Course info
UCAS Code B740
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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