Nursing and Midwifery

Nurses and midwives are an integral part of health care services, playing key roles in the health of patients, families and local communities. They are both people-focused professions requiring a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery (OSNM) is a partnership combining research-driven education and clinical practice with the opportunity to be involved in high quality healthcare research. The partnership comprises Oxford Brookes University, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, under the umbrella of the Oxford Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC).

Nursing and Midwifery on X

Choosing the right course

We offer degree courses at different levels, as well as a variety of CPD courses.

Course	Award and duration	Course focus
Foundation
Nursing Associate Apprenticeship	FdSc 28 months	This apprenticeship broadens available routes into the healthcare profession, by developing your skills, knowledge and experience.
Undergraduate
Nursing (Adult)	BSc (Hons) 3 years	Adult nursing focuses on caring for people in a variety of settings, meeting their mental and physical health needs across their lifespan.
Nursing (Children’s)	BSc (Hons) 3 years	Children's (or paediatric) nursing is a challenging but rewarding career. With empathy, sensitivity and excellent communication skills you are bound to succeed.
Nursing (Mental Health)	BSc (Hons) 3 years	Mental health nursing focuses on helping people with diverse mental health needs by working with individuals, their families and carers.
Midwifery	BSc (Hons) 3 years	Midwives care for women and their families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Postgraduate
Nursing (Mental Health) Pre-Registration	MSc 3 years	This degree leads to registration at a Master’s level for students with a first degree. Mental health nursing focuses on helping people with diverse mental health needs by working with individuals, their families and carers.
Midwifery Pre-Registration	MSc 3 years	This degree leads to registration at a Master's level for students with a non-nursing first degree. Midwives care for women and their families through pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Second registration
District Nursing	PGDip 1 year	The course prepares you for the changing face of community nursing and prepares you for a leadership role.
Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting and School Nursing)	PGDip 1 year	This course enables you to develop your practice as a specialist public health nurse.
Doctorate
Professional Doctorate in Nursing	DNurs 5-7 years part time	A part-time doctoral programme aimed at nurses who wish to remain in practice, develop research skills and knowledge with a peer group.
Professional Doctorate in Midwifery	DMid 5 years part time	A part-time doctoral programme aimed at midwives who wish to remain in their current role while developing research skills and knowledge.

What's it like to study nursing

Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions you can enter, being able to make a difference in the lives of people when they really need it has drawn in exceptional individuals who share the values of the NHS Constitution for decades, but it can also be a challenging career that requires years of dedication and hard work.

As you look to embark on a nursing career, we've asked a number of our student nurses to talk honestly and openly about the training experience, to provide a real world glimpse into what it's like to first set foot onto the wards and to provide an overview of what you can expect on the road to becoming a nurse.

Study Tips

Hear our students' tips for studying and dealing with their timetables.

Making Mistakes on Placement

Our Nursing students talk openly about making mistakes on placement.

Male Nurses

Breaking down the gender stereotypes: our students discuss what life is like for male nurses.

Is age a Concern?

Whether you're fresh out of college or returning to study later in life, Nursing is open to all. Our students reflect on the benefits and challenges of choosing when and how to enter the profession.

Work-life Balance

As dedicated as student nurses need to be, it's important to ensure it doesn't totally eclipse other aspects of life. Whether it's looking after children or playing sports, students discuss how they fit everything in.

Money Matters

You don't need to come from a wealthy background to study Nursing. Our students discuss how they live and earn whilst on the course.

First Day on Placement

Any first day in a new role can be nerve-wracking, but especially with your first clinical placement. Students talk through their experiences of that moment.

Night Shifts

Shift work is a large part of being a nurse, the students here discuss the good and bad sides of night shifts.

What is it like to be a Mental Health Nurse?

The reality of Mental Health Nursing: listen to Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and current Oxford Health NHS workers talk about the daily challenges and rewards involved in their roles.

Why did you choose Mental Health Nursing?

From an interest in people, to variety in job role, to building positive relationships: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers talk about their motivation for working in Mental Health Nursing.

Advice

Attributes of a mental health nurse: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers describe the qualities needed to make a positive impact in the field of Mental Health Nursing.

Approach and Adaptability

A flexible approach to healthcare: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers discuss the need to be able to adapt your approach as a mental health nurse.

Mentoring

Learning from each other: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers describe their personal experiences of both having and being a mentor.

Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

Coping mechanisms: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers talk about how they cope with the challenges of Mental Health Nursing.

Challenging Patients

Dealing with challenging behaviour: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers discuss how to identify, understand, and cope with challenging patients.

How do you switch off?

Switching off from the job: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers talk about their favourite ways to switch off.

Integrating Physical and Mental Healthcare

Treating the mental and the physical: Oxford Brookes lecturers, alumni, and Oxford Health NHS workers discuss if, why, and how mental and physical healthcare should be integrated.