University of Derby - Chesterfield Campus - Mental Health Nursing - mature student

Hi can anyone give me advice on how much time you are expected to be on placecement, ie 2 shifts a week? and how long are the shifts, and are the shifts you choose flexible as i have a 5yr old son so childcare may be an issue. many thanks, Kate

oh I also forgot to ask as an undergraduate on this course, do you get the summer off? or do you still have to attend placement?

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 1

University of Derby

Original post by cckykat2812

Hi @cckykat2812, thank you for your question.

I’m hoping you will hear from a student on the course but I have provided you with some information to help clarify the placements on the mental health course.

There’s some flexibility on placements which will have to be a discussion with the mentor on your course. As part of our Mental Health placements we have two different types; acute/hospital care and community.

During the acute/hospital care placement, you may be located in a clinical setting such as a ward, intensive care unit, outpatients unit, recovery hub or specialist unit. You’ll have around a 30 hour week for your first hub, which will last for 4 weeks. After this, it’ll be 37.5 hours a week. The shifts are usually across the 24-hour care cycle so they may be early morning, late or at night.

For the community placement, you may be located in clinical settings such as a forensic unit, community/health centre, residential/nursing home, patients own home or a GP surgery. Unlike the acute/hospital care placement these placements are generally less flexible as they are traditionally 9 am - 5 pm, 5 days a week work patterns.

As part of the course, there is a three-week summer break in August.

If you’d like more information please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected].

I hope that helps,
Cristina :smile: