A new group of psychiatric nursing graduates is preparing to join Ireland’s mental health workforce after completing four years of study and extensive clinical training. The HSE paid tribute this week to 41 South East Technological University (SETU) students who completed the B.Sc. (Honours) in Psychiatric Nursing.
The graduation event took place at the Granville Hotel in Waterford and brought together students, relatives, academic staff and HSE mental health professionals. The ceremony recognised the graduates’ academic progress, clinical contribution and commitment to compassionate care.
HSE mental health nursing graduates complete specialist training
The graduates began their course in September 2022. Their programme included 80 weeks of clinical placements across HSE Dublin and South East Mental Health services, followed by a 36-week continuous internship in the South East.
Placements provided experience across a wide range of services, including:
- Acute admission and psychiatry of later-life units
- Rehabilitation and recovery services
- Home-based treatment and community mental health teams
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health services
- Liaison and substance-misuse services
- Day centres, Recovery College programmes and other community supports
After completing their remaining HSE training in the coming weeks, the participants are expected to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland as psychiatric nurses.
A ceremony centred on compassionate care
Each student received a certificate and badge during the event. The programme also included a traditional “Blessing of the Hands”, led by Very Rev. Liam Power P.P. The symbolic healthcare tradition reflects the responsibility of nurses to provide care with compassion, dignity and respect.
The ceremony concluded with the students reciting the Nurses Pledge, marking their transition from undergraduate training towards professional practice.
HSE and SETU partnership supports regional services
Emer O’Donnell, Nurse Practice Development Coordinator with Carlow-Kilkenny/South Tipperary Mental Health Services, said psychiatric nursing is a specialist area based on interpersonal care and the recognition of every person’s individual needs.
She also highlighted the close partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and SETU in delivering clinical placements throughout Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford. The placements allowed students to contribute to services while developing practical skills in varied mental health settings.
Dr Colman Noctor, SETU’s Mental Health Programme Lead and a member of its School of Nursing, described the diverse training as a strong foundation for safe, effective and high-quality mental health care at local, national and international level.
What happens next for the graduates?
The graduates will complete their HSE training before beginning the registration process. Their experience across hospital, specialist and community services reflects the broad role psychiatric nurses play in promoting positive mental health and supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties.
The ceremony was attended by HSE clinical placement coordinators and nursing leaders from the region, alongside SETU representatives. Their involvement underlined the importance of collaboration between higher education and frontline health services in developing Ireland’s future nursing workforce.
Why psychiatric nursing matters
Psychiatric nurses support people in a variety of settings, from inpatient units to community-based teams and home treatment services. Their work combines clinical knowledge with communication, therapeutic relationships, recovery-focused support and advocacy.
The SETU graduates’ training demonstrates how structured education and supervised practice can prepare nurses for the complex needs of modern mental health care. It also strengthens the pool of qualified professionals available to support services in the South East and beyond.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
