MNurs Mental Health and Children's Nursing

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Liverpool John Moores University

Program Overview

The MNurs Mental Health and Children's Nursing at Liverpool John Moores University is a unique programme that allows you to qualify as both a mental health nurse and a children’s nurse. It’s perfect for students who want to make a real difference in people’s lives, giving you the skills and confidence to care for both children and those experiencing mental health challenges.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Level 4)

Your first year is all about building a strong foundation. You’ll explore modules like Professional Practice in Nursing, Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health, and Introduction to Practice Learning, which will introduce you to essential nursing concepts such as safe care, infection control, and health promotion. Alongside your studies, you’ll get hands-on experience in real healthcare settings, giving you an early taste of what life as a nurse is really like.

Year 2 (Level 5)

In your second year, you’ll start to bring theory to life. You’ll deepen your understanding of patient care, health promotion, and professional practice through both classroom learning and placements. This is where you’ll develop practical skills, working closely with patients under supervision and learning how to collaborate with other healthcare professionals in real-world settings.

Year 3 (Level 6)

By the third year, you’ll focus more on mental health nursing. You’ll learn to assess and support patients with a range of mental health needs while planning and delivering holistic care. Through a mix of theory and placements, you’ll gain confidence in working with multidisciplinary teams and understanding the unique challenges faced by those experiencing mental health difficulties.

Year 4 (Level 7)

Your final year is focused on children’s nursing. You’ll study modules that cover the care of infants, children, and adolescents, developing skills to assess and manage physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Placements in pediatric settings will give you real-life experience, ensuring you leave the programme fully prepared and confident to start your professional career.

Focus areas: Mental Health Nursing, Children’s Nursing, Holistic Care, Health Promotion, Integrated Clinical Practice

Learning outcomes: Deliver safe, compassionate, and effective care in both mental health and pediatric settings; assess, plan, and evaluate care confidently; work effectively within multidisciplinary teams; be fully prepared for dual-field NMC registration.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), fully aligned with current pre-registration nursing standards.

Reputation (employability ranking): Graduates leave with a dual-field master’s, making them highly employable and versatile. LJMU nursing students consistently rate their support and learning experience very highly, giving you the confidence that you’ll be well-prepared for your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Liverpool John Moores University, the MNurs Mental Health and Children's Nursing programme is designed so you learn by doing. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience in realistic healthcare settings, using professional-standard facilities and working alongside experienced practitioners. The combination of lectures, group activities, simulation, and real-world placements means you’ll build confidence, practical skills, and the professional know-how to step straight into nursing roles after graduation. Here’s how that plays out in practice:

Modern clinical simulation suites: Practice in realistic hospital-style wards, intensive care, and counselling suites. You’ll have a safe space to develop clinical and mental-health nursing skills before working with real patients.
Simulated placements each year: These controlled scenarios allow you to apply theory to practice, make decisions, and reflect on your care in a supportive environment.
Real-world clinical placements: You’ll spend significant time in hospitals, GP surgeries, community clinics, nursing homes, and home-care settings, gaining experience with both children and mental-health patients.
Group projects and interprofessional learning: Collaborate with your peers on case studies, problem-solving exercises, and seminars, mirroring the teamwork you’ll use in professional nursing.
Resources and support: Access libraries, IT suites, flexible learning spaces, and professional support services to help you thrive academically and personally.

These experiences mean you’re not just learning about nursing—you’re living it, practicing it, and preparing to make a real difference from day one.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MNurs Mental Health and Children's Nursing programme at Liverpool John Moores University opens doors to a variety of rewarding roles. With your dual qualification, you could work as a mental health nurse, a children’s nurse, a community or school nurse, or even in specialist care settings like charities and private healthcare. This degree equips you with the skills, confidence, and professional registration you need to make an impact straight away:

Career support from LJMU: Through Student Futures, you’ll have access to personalised career advice, CV and interview support, graduate job boards, and opportunities for networking with healthcare employers. Alumni can continue to use these services to help secure roles or plan the next steps in their careers.
Strong employment prospects and earnings: Newly qualified nurses typically start at Band 5 with salaries around £31,000, with clear pathways to higher bands and more senior roles as experience grows.
University–industry connections: LJMU maintains strong partnerships with NHS trusts, community clinics, and local healthcare providers, giving you access to placements and future employment opportunities.
Accreditation and long-term value: Your NMC-accredited dual-field qualification is recognised across the UK (and in many other countries), ensuring your registration and skills have lasting professional credibility.
Graduate outcomes: With this integrated master’s degree, you’ll leave well-prepared to work confidently in both mental health and children’s nursing, and with the flexibility to explore specialist roles or leadership positions in the future.

Further Academic Progression:
Once you’ve graduated, the opportunities don’t stop. You could pursue postgraduate specialisations in mental health or children’s nursing, move into advanced practice or leadership roles, or even explore research degrees. This programme gives you a strong foundation to continue developing your expertise and shaping a long-term, rewarding career in nursing.