NS0431 - Public Health in Contemporary Nursing

You will learn on this module through key online student learning which will introduce and critically examine theoretical perspectives on public health. You will be expected to undertake your own independent reading in order to develop your knowledge. Seminars will feature enquiry based learning using a student centred approach, where you will be actively encouraged to reflect with peers and lecturers. You will be supported to independently access statistical and epidemiological information needed to support your learning and your assessment. You will work independently and in groups on structured activities drawing on electronic resources, in order to equip you with the skills to fully engage with and participate in subsequent face to face learning at MCAST or online in the virtual classroom. We will expect you to prepare thoroughly for these using online tutor guided independent learning and your other reading, so that you can engage fully in class activities and discussions. A range of electronic resources and external links to publicly available health information and statistics will support you in your development as a public health aware nurse.

You will gain support from face to face dialogue with teachers and your peers during lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Your assignment will be introduced to you at the start of the module and you will also engage in online group tutorial support for your summative assignment part way through the module. Our libraries will provide access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and analytical writing. Support will also be available to you online through the module site on the electronic learning portal (Blackboard Ultra).

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

By the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand and explore fundamental concepts and principles in relation to contemporary public health theory and practice.
2. Access, appraise and communicate contemporary evidence in order to develop subject specific knowledge and appropriate strategies for public health nursing practice with individuals, families and communities of all ages with diverse health and nursing needs including: those that require care within hospital and community settings; paediatrics and maternity care.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Consider and develop strategies and fundamental nursing skills to promote public health
4. Demonstrate your ability to make sound evidence based judgements, challenging your own opinions and those of others to engage with the public health nursing role.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):
5. Work independently and collaboratively,
identifying your own and the developmental needs of others to successfully undertake the public health role of the nurse.

Formative assessment:
Verbal feedback will be given from the module team and peers throughout the module during classroom teaching, seminars and practical sessions. You will also be able to engage in group discussion within the timetabled group tutorial and further online tutorials provided within the module (MLO 1 – 5)

Summative assessment:
The summative assessment for this module is a 2000 word essay focusing on a public health challenge, strategies for intervention and the role of the nurse (MLO 1- 5).

Submission and written feedback will be electronic via the online submission portal (Turnitin) on BBU

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Promoting the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities and facilitating health enhancing activities is a pre-requisite of the nursing role and this module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to undertake this role successfully. In this module you will be introduced to key concepts in contemporary public health. In line with research rich learning, you will explore the contemporary evidence base that underpins the discipline of public health and use this to understand and apply this to your nursing role. You will develop key transferrable skills including the ability to appraise evidence as well as communication and presentation skills. You will be able to explore epidemiological and demographic data in regard to a geographic/service user population relevant to your role as a nurse. The relationship between wider determinants of health, wellbeing and health inequalities will be explored incorporating skills required to understand and complete a small scale health needs assessment. You will consider a range of health promotion approaches and models. Your learning will be supported via classroom based teaching, seminars and practical sessions, as well as electronic resources and self- directed learning supported by the e-Learning Portal. Strategies to support behaviour change will be appraised in order for you to develop your skills to utilise these strategies in your professional practice, enhancing your employability. You will have the opportunity to apply and practice your emerging skills both with the classroom setting and during your practice placement and you will be assessed via an essay about your public health nursing role with a patient and/or population group relevant to your practice.