Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery Courses
The '2004' or 'inter-professional' curriculum brings together students from all health professional courses for shared elements of study. These courses produced their first registered practitioners in 2007. They were reviewed and replaced in 2009, but will continue to produce registered practitioners until February 2012.
The 'Inter-Professional' or '2004' Curriculum
In developing this curriculum all partners were determined to build on the strengths of previous programmes and maintain UCS at the forefront of the development of pre-registration nursing and midwifery education. To deepen and strengthen the existing partnership, close collaborative working relationships between UCS and their service partners have been continued. This ensures that the voices of all stakeholders, service users, students, the social care, private health and voluntary sectors are heard and acknowledged in the construction of these courses. The NHS East of England has continued to support the development of the partnership.
To support the development of new practitioners the 2004 curriculum introduced a 'Diploma with Advanced Studies' to complement the Diploma and Degree provision.
The joint nature of the training and education of health professionals that has been so firmly established is a product of much hard work over the years. Within the 2004 curriculum this is further developed by the incorporation of Inter-professional Learning. This is a response to proposals, set out by the Secretary of State for Health in The NHS Plan (2000), for the enhancement of multi-disciplinary teamwork in the NHS and a concomitant improvement in the quality of patient and client care. The responsibility to enable students to be able to achieve the goals set in this new programme remains the joint responsibility of the Higher Education Institution and providers of health care, in the form of local NHS Trusts. The development of UCS could not have been achieved without the current and continuing strength of our health care courses. Further development of UCS over the coming years will provide an opportunity to broaden the range of health care course available to students in this area and this curriculum sets the pace for those developments.
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UCS will continue to ask practitioners to contribute to classroom sessions, to ensure that students are taught up to date practice.
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UCS will continue to work with Trusts to increase partnership in relation to the provision and allocation of placements for students.
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UCS will also continue to work closely with Clinical Practice Facilitators employed by Trusts to support students.
The over-riding area in which practitioners contribute to the partnership of the curriculum is by welcoming students into Clinical Practice. All of the Partners appreciate the work done by Mentors to help students to achieve their learning needs in Practice areas. Whether or not student nurses and midwives become good practitioners is dependent on the standard of practice experience and the role models whom they can shape themselves on. This is often the area that practitioners remember most about their studentship.
The 2009 Curriculum Revision
Course development is a continuous cycle with influences for change taken from many sources. The professional bodies require that courses are revised every five years to reflect changes in the knowledge base, changes in practice and new expectations in how learning is to be achieved. All those involved in the teaching and organisation of the course, the employment of graduates and the receipt of care are consulted and actively participate in the process. UCS began a revised pre-registration BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme in February 2009 and a revised pre-registration BSc(Hons) or DipHE nursing course in September 2009.
As of September 2009, UCS offers Diploma and Degree level courses on all 'sites' of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (Ipswich, Gt Yarmouth and Bury St Edmunds) and for the Adult, Mental Health and Children's fields of practice.
Further re-validation should, on the prescribed five-yearly cycle, be due in 2014. The publication of the results of the NMC consultation on the future of pre-registration nursing require that all pre-registration courses in Nursing and Midwifery are delivered at Degree level by the begining of the 2013 academic year. Though the 2009 curriculum design includes degree level course for all fields of practice, it may nevertheless be necessary to produce a curriculum revision prior to September 2013.
NMC Standards of Proficiency
The NMC set 'standards of proficiency' for nursing and midwifery. Within these, descriptions are given of those aspects of the student's performance that indicate achievement of the desired standard. The standards statements are given in the Appendices of this handbook. Further details can be found in the NMC publications "Standards of proficiency for pre-registration nursing education" and "Standards of proficiency for pre-registration midwifery education"
All the Practice Documentation that students following the 2004 curriculum complete carry headings to show which domain of outcomes or competencies the skills relate to. Practice Assessment is a major component of all programmes and gives Mentors the responsibility of ensuring that a students performance in practice reaches the required level of proficiency.
This curriculum spreads the assessment of practice across each year of the programme to even out the demands placed on placement areas. Each student will complete their practice outcomes in slightly different ways through the year. It is of the greatest importance that they and their mentors maintain steady progress in skills development, to avoid a frantic rush to complete outcomes at the end of the year. The achievement of one third of outcomes per term is the standard that our students are set and is looked for in the review that the student and their lecturers undertake each term.
Core Structure of the Course
Within the 2004 curriculum the BSc (Hons), DipHE (Nursing) with Advanced Studies and DipHE (Nursing) programmes follow similar pathways, though there are significant differences. Details of these are shown in the tables below. Also shown are the pathways followed by DipHE (Midwifery) with Advanced Studies and DipHE (Midwifery).
Within the 2009 curriculum there is only one route, BSc(Hons), followed by students of Midwifery though there are now 3-year direct entry courses and an 18-month course for entrants who already hold an RN (Adult) nursing qualification. For pre-registration nursing programmes there are BSc(Hons) and DipHE routes for Adult, Mental Health and Children's nursing. The DipHE with Advanced Studies is not available to new entrants but will continue to be followed by existing students.
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In keeping with current EU standards all courses are 3 years in length and require students to achieve a minimum of 2300 hours of theory, and 2300 hours of practice.
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The first year of the nursing courses is, for students on the 2004 curriculum routes, designated as the 'Common Foundation Programme' (CFP). For students starting a pre-registration nursing course from September 2009 this is re-designated as the 'Foundation Year'. In both models this first year of study is structured to allow students to focus on their chosen speciality from the start of the programme, whilst also being able to gain insight into all the other branches, from 2009 designated 'fields of practice' of nursing.
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The Pre-Registration Midwifery programmes, BSc (Hons ) Midwifery, DipHE (Midwifery) with Advanced Studies and DipHE (Midwifery), share the inter-professional modules, but all practice experience is specific to the care of mothers and children and the programme has no CFP and Branch division.
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Students are enabled to meet EEC Directives, where they apply, and the statutory requirements for England and Wales.
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By the end of the CFP, or foundation year, nursing students will have met the NMC standard for entry to study for their field of practice. These two years of study will build on the experiences of the foundation year and enable the students to experience nursing within community and hospital settings appropriate to the field of practice.
The courses are modular. Under the 2004 curriculum model each year is divided into three, fifteen-week terms. Under the 2009 curriculum model each year is divided into two 'semesters'.
2004 - In each term students undertake one or two modules of study.
2009 - In each semester students undertake between one and three modules of study.
Each module has a taught theory part that is assessed at the end of the term.
Clinical practice is summatively assessed at the end of each year with reviews of progress at the end of each term or semester. This enables practice development and the allocation of students to particular areas of practice to be spread evenly over the year.
Practice experience in which the students overall performance will be reported on by their mentors will be of at least 20 days duration. Some visits are shorter and do not carry a requirement for an overall progress report, though the practice assessment documents can be used by practice supervisors to note a students development as they observe, practice and demonstrate the acquisition of skills. All terms or semesters in the courses have at least one placement during which performance reports are made on the student and may also include one or two shorter visits. The Allocations Office at UCS will arrange these visits. Students will be expected to undertake care throughout the 24-hour cycle, including weekends, and to complete a requirement for night duty. For nursing students this will be during years two and three, midwifery students will undertake night duty at any appropriate point in their programme.
2004 - All terms finish with a 'Clinical Recovery' week.
2009 - All years contain a designated 'Clinical Recovery' period.
The requirement to complete a minimum number of hours and to achieve a proportion of learning outcomes in each term can be affected by relatively short absences from the course, such as occur through illness. The clinical recovery period enables students to return to practice to complete minimum hours or to target specific learning outcomes before starting the next unit of the course.
Pre-Registration Midwifery programmes target the achievement of specific practice requirements, are mapped against the NMC midwifery standards of proficiency and require midwifery students to attain a level of practice ability in each year based on:-
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Advising of pregnant women, involving at least 100 pre-natal examinations.
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Supervision and Care of at least 40 women in labour.
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At least 40 normal births personally attended by the student.
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Active participation with breech births or, where this is not possible because of lack of breech births, practice in a simulated situation.
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Performance of episiotomy and initiation into suturing, including theoretical instruction and clinical practice. Practice of suturing has included suturing the wound following episiotomy and simple perineal laceration (or in a simulated situation where necessary). Supervision and care of 40 women at risk in pregnancy, labour or the post-natal period.
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Supervision and care (including examination) of at least 100 postnatal women.
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Observation and care of the newborn requiring special care including those born pre-term, post-term, underweight or ill.
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Care of women with pathological conditions in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics.
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Initiation into the care of general pathological cases in midwifery and surgery.
The presentation of Pre-Registration Courses
2004 Curriculum Model
The 2004 Curriculum will complete with the final cohort, February 2009, who are now in their third year of the programme
BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult Nursing –
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Year 3 – Term 1
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Year 3 - Term 2
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Year 3 – Term 3
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Tertiary and Palliative care needs. (Level 3, 40 Credits)
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Management and leadership in an inter-professional context. (Inter-professional Module: Level 3, 20 Credits)
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Work based consolidation and progression. (Level 3, 20 Credits)
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Evidence Based Practice project. (Level 3, 40 Credits)
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Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing – Adult Nursing -
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Year 3 - Term 1
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Year 3 – Term 2
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Year 3 – Term 3
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Tertiary and Palliative care needs. (Level 2, 40 Credits)
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The developing practitioner. (Level 2, 20 Credits)
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Work based consolidation and progression. (Level 2, 20 Credits)
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Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing - Mental Health Nursing. –
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Year 3 - Term 1
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Year 3 – Term 2
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Year 3 – Term 3
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Promoting recovery from acute distress through seamless care. (Level 2, 40 Credits)
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The developing practitioner. (Level 2, 20 Credits)
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Consolidation of practice: Promoting collaborative care. (Level 2, 20 Credits)
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The Diploma with Advanced Studies
Students with a sustained high level of achievement during year two (years one and two for midwifery) may be selected to study for the Diploma of Higher Education with Advanced Studies.
Students selected for the advanced studies option will not undertake 'The Developing Practitioner' at Level 2 in Year 3 Term 2. They will instead undertake the Inter-professional module 'Management and Leadership in an inter-professional context' for 20 credits at level 3 and an 'Enhancing Practice' module for 20 credits at level 3.
The Presentation of Pre-Registration Courses
2009 Curriculum Model
2009 Curriculum in Pre-Registration Midwifery
The pre-registration midwifery programme was reviewed for intakes from February 2009 onwards. This course now awards a BSc (Hons) along with the right to apply for inclusion on the NMC Register as a practicing Midwife and introduces the principle of awarding credits for practice learning. The course is constructed as shown in the following table.
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BSc (Hons) Midwifery
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Year One: Certificate
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Introduction to Midwifery and Professional Practice (20 Credits)
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Context of Midwifery Practice (40 Credits)
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Communication and Interpersonal Skills (20 Credits)
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Midwifery Practice 1 (40 Credits)
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Year Two: Intermediate
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Promoting Womens Health (20 Credits)
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High Risk Pregnancy and Women with Complex Health Needs (40 Credits)
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Application to Research in Midwifery (20 Credits)
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Midwifery Practice 2 (40 Credits)
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Year Three: Honours
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Evidence Based Midwifery Practice (40 Credits)
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Consolidation of Practice (20 Credits)
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Inter professional Collaborative Working (20 Credits)
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Midwifery Practice 3 (40 Credits)
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2009 Curriculum in pre-registration nursing
Core Structure
The 2009 curriculum incorporates BSc (Hons) and DipHE routes for Adult, Mental Health and Children's Nursing. It has been designed on a 2 semester pattern with student intakes in September and February.
The foundation year (formerly 'Common Foundation Programme') is shared by all routes and Fields of Practice (formerly 'Branches') with divergence in years 2 and 3.
Additionally:
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Inter-professional modules are shared with professional courses in Midwifery, Operating Department Practice, Radiography and Social Work.
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Students are enabled to meet EEC Directives, where they apply, and the statutory requirements for England and Wales.
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By the end of the foundation year students will have met the NMC outcomes for transition to field of practice studies.
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Practice experience in the foundation year will include exposure to care delivered in primary care settings.
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The students practice experience will attract credit points and, in year 3, be graded. For all students this will ensure that practice activity is seen as a direct contributor to successful completion of the programme and, for students on the BSc routes, that there is a direct relationship between their outcomes in practice and the classification of their award on completion.
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Levels of study are described according to the revised 'Framework for Higher Education Qualifications' (QAA, 2008)
The programme is modular. Semesters are of 22 weeks (Sept. to Feb.) and 23 weeks (Feb. to Aug.) duration. In each year students will undertake a practice module and in each semester a combination of modules of study appropriate to the Foundation year, DipHE (Field of Practice), or BSc(Hons) (Field of Practice) (see outline table below).
In nursing practice modules, practice outcomes will be reviewed at the end of semester one in each year with the final summative assessment at the end of the year. Other modules of study are assessed on completion. In the year 3 practice module students will not only be measured against NMC competencies for the Registered Practitioner but will also have the practice performance graded. Within practice placements, students will be expected to undertake care throughout the 24-hour cycle, including weekends, and, during field of practice studies (years 2 and 3), to complete a requirement for night duty.
Each year of the programme identifies a period of time for 'Clinical Recovery' which relates to time when a student may return to practice to recover time lost from previous practice. The requirement to complete a minimum number of hours and to achieve a proportion of learning outcomes in each term can be affected by relatively short absences from the course, such as occur through illness. Also, students may have an identified need to target specific learning outcomes before starting the next year of the course which can only be achieved by directly accessing practice.
The Presentation of Pre-Registration Courses for cohorts of students from September 2009 forwards
The Foundation Year
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Nursing Practice 1,
760 hours, 40 Credits, Level 4
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Life Sciences,
20 Credits, Level 4
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Introduction to Professional Studies,
0 Credits, Level 4
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Context of Care,
20 Credits, Level 4
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Fundamentals of Care,
20 Credits, Level 4
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Inter-professional Module 1 – 'The Person',
20 Credits, Level 4.
Inter-professional Modules are offered once per year and will be followed in Semester One or Two according to Intake group
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To complete the foundation year, students need to achieve 120 credits at Level 4 and to have met the NMC outcomes required for transition to 'Field of Practice' studies. These achievements must be confirmed within 12 weeks of the start of 'Field of Practice' studies.
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Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing 'Field of Practice' studies in Adult, Mental Health and Children's Nursing. Outline Structure.
Year Two
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Nursing Practice 2,
760 hours, 40 Credits, Level 5
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Evidence Based Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Study Module Specific to Field of Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Inter-professional Module 2 – 'The Service User',
Notional Credits are reflected in practice activity, Level 5
Inter-professional Modules are offered once per year and will be followed in Semester One or Two according to Intake group
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To complete the second year of the Diploma programme, students need to achieve 120 Credits at Level 4 (in foundation year) and 80 Credits at Level 5 (in year two)
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Year Three
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Nursing Practice 3,
780 Hours, 40 Credits, Level 5
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Study Module Specific to Field of Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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To successfully complete the Diploma programme and qualify for entry to the professional register students must achieve 120 credit points at Level 4, 140 credit points at Level 5 and demonstrate that they have met all NMC competencies for entry to the Register of Nurses
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BSc(Hons) in Nursing 'Field of Practice' studies in Adult, Mental Health and Children's Nursing. Outline Structure.
Year Two
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Nursing Practice 2,
760 hours, 40 Credits, Level 5
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Evidence Based Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Study Module Specific to Field of Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Problem Based Learning,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Research for Practice,
20 Credits, Level 5
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Inter-professional Module 2 – 'The Service User',
Notional Credits are reflected in practice activity, Level 5
Inter-professional Modules are offered once per year and will be followed in Semester One or Two according to Intake group
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To complete the second year of the BSc(Hons) programme, students will need to achieve 120 credits at Level 4 (in foundation year) and 120 Credits at Level 5 (in year two).
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Year Three
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Semester One
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Semester Two
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Nursing Practice 3,
780 hours, 40 Credits, Level 6
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Study Module Specific to Field of Practice,
20 Credits, Level 6
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Dissertation,
40 Credits, Level 6
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Inter-professional Module 3 – 'The Organisation,
20 Credits, Level 6
Inter-professional Modules are offered once per year and will be followed in Semester One or Two according to Intake group
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To successfully complete the BSc(Hons) programme and qualify for entry to the professional register, students must achieve 120 credit points at Level 4, 120 credit points at Level 5, 120 credit points at Level 6 and demonstrate that they have met all NMC competencies for entry to the Register of Nurses
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