Professional Profile

I am a highly experienced and dedicated Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at Edge Hill University with over 20 years experience in Clincial Practice, Nurse Education and Academic Leadership. I have been a Registered Nurse (Mental Health) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) since January 2023, and an Independent / Supplementary Nurse Prescriber since November 2012. My career has focussed on championing and integrating mental health nusing identity and pedagogy within university curricula.

Academic and Leadership Highlights

Academic Leadership:  I serve as a Year of Study Lead for BSc Nursing Year 3 (NUR 3000) coordinating curriculum delivery and ensuring a seamless student experience. My role as a Nursing Field Advisor and Lead for Mental Health Nursing involves leading the strategic development of mental health content across all pre-registration programmes. This includes delegating tasks, supervising colleagues and collaborating with external partners to embed the NMC (2018) Standards effectively. 

Curriculum and Assessment Development: I led the development of two key final year assessments for BSc Nursing Pre-Registration Programme. This included managing the entire process, from delegation to colleagues and timetabling to collaborating with external stakeholders like examiners.

Award and Recognition:  My committment to excellence was recognised with a University Teaching and Learning Fellowship in January 2025. This fellowship promotes my work in championing mental health nursing pedagogy and its integration across the university.

Teaching and Mentorship:  I'm a passionate educator, delivering specailsied teaching on BSc, MSc, MNSW and Non-Medical Prescribing Programmes. I also serve as a Personal Tutor and Academic Assessor supporting students both on campus and wthin clinical practice.

Clinical Experience:  I bring 18 years of clinical experience as a Senior Mental Health Nurse having worked across various settings, including acute inpatient (PICU / Forensic), Community (Assertive Outrach / CMHT) and Criminal Justice / Liaison Services. My extensive background provides a unique practical perspective that enriches my academic contributions

My external engagment is centered on championing mental health nursing. I am an active member of the Mental Health Nurse Academics UK (MHANUK), a national collaboration where I share best practices and integrate key policy data. This is crucial for promoting and embedding the distinct identity of Mental Health Nursing within our curriculum. My role as an External Examiner for the BSc Nursing (Mental Health) programme at the University of West London further showcases my leadership and leadership in this field. I also maintan strong links with NHS Trusts, ensuring our students have valuable learning opportunities.

I specialise in delivering dynamic, evidenc-based teaching across a broad range of mental health nursing topics. My expertise spans from Pharmacology and Non-Medical Prescribing to Crisis Management, Forensic Mental Health and Clinical Supervision. I also focus on applying simulation to mental health nurse training ensuring students are prepared for the complexitities of modern healthcare.

I am highly engaged in scholarly activity, with a focus on advancing mental health nursing practice, I am currently collaborating with colleagues across the UK on several systematic reviews. One paper expected in late 2025, explores the experiences of palliative care in mental health nursing. Another project focusses on the importance of mental health field identity in pre-registration nursing, and a third explores the cultural and diverse challenges in the profession.

From October 2025, I will be co-authoring a book on medicines management in mental health nursing, drawing on my extensive clinical background.

Publications

Ghoorun, M.,  Rooney, N.,  McNulty, B.,  O'Connor, A.,  Lamph, G.  (2025).  Strengthening the mental health components of pre-registration nursing.  British Journal of Nursing, Volume 34, No. 11.  https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2024.0251

Wagstaff, C., Kaur-Aujla, H., Ghoorun, M., Arat, S., Simbani, N., & Ramtohul, A. (2023). Reflections on problems that could explain the glass ceiling for black mental health nurse academics. Mental Health Nursing, February/ March 2023, 10-12.