Dean McShane. Mental Health Senior Lecturer, LJMU. RMN, MEd, BSc (Hons) DipHe, PGCE.
I have worked in the field of mental health for approximately 23 years, in an array of different roles. I qualified as an RMN in 2008, achieving my degree from the University of Chester, and shortly after began my first role within the NHS as a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Practitioner, in the specialisms of acute care and eating disorder. I then became a Community Practitioner within an Early Intervention Team which specialised in the treatment of young adults experiencing their first episode of Psychosis. In this role I delivered a programme of mental health promotion and awareness sessions to local schools and colleges. Following this I worked for the Single Point of Access Team completing comprehensive mental health assessments of all ages and conditions following GP referrals.
In 2015 I took the opportunity to become a Lecturer/Practitioner with the University of Chester teaching the Pre-Registration Nursing course; and in 2016 I became a full-time lecturer teaching Pre-Registration Nursing, Nursing Assistant Practitioner and the BA Health & Social Care course,
In 2019 I became a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Programme Lead at Chester and became instrumental in the delivery of several successful projects. Most notably in helping to gain a “Dementia Friendly Campus” status at the University which involved creating over 3000 ‘Dementia Friends’. In the same year I was shortlisted for the Nursing Times Educator of the Year award and was also presented with the Chief Nursing Officer’s Medal for Nursing Excellence, which was a hugely proud moment for me.
I am currently a senior lecturer in mental health at Liverpool John Moore’s University and a PhD candidate studying the use of immersive technology in dementia care at the universities Living Lab. I am also a Branch Executive for the Royal College of Nursing Liverpool Branch and co-host of the men’s mental health podcast ‘The Man Hug’.
Degrees
2019, University of Chester, United Kingdom, Master Of Education (MEd)
2017, University of Chester, United Kingdom, Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
2015, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Degree of Bachelor of Science
2008, University of Chester, United Kingdom, Diploma in Higher Education in Nursing
Academic appointments
Senior Mental Health Lecturer, NAH, Liverpool John Moores University, 2020 - present
Senior Mental Health Lecturer, University of Chester, 2018 - 2020
Mental Health Lecturer, University of Chester, 2016 - 2018
Mental Health Lecturer Practitioner, University of Chester, 2015 - 2016
Postgraduate training
PhD, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, 2021 - 2027
