What will I learn on this module?
The content of Applied Life Sciences will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in Annex A and B in ‘Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses (NMC, 2018).
This module will introduce the concept of safe nursing practice, effective communication, medicine management, and the proficiencies of physical assessment. This module will be taught across the year aligned to your learning within MH0715 and MH0716 bringing together theory and practice to facilitate your development as a safe and effective practitioner. You will learn how to observe and assess people of all ages in terms of symptoms and signs of physical ill health. You will learn how to take, record, interpret a patient’s vital signs, and use communication tools to support verbal and written reports. An introduction to basic medicine calculation and management will also be part of your learning and will be underpinned by a digital educational resource. You will consider and develop fundamental nursing skills to act in a holistic, individualised, non-judgemental, and honest way, with integrity, and apply principles of The Code (NMC, 2018).
These skills and proficiencies will be supported by opportunities to participate in a variety of a blended approach teaching methods including face-to-face practical sessions, simulated education including standardised patients, human patient simulators, immersive interactive environments and partial task trainers. This will be underpinned by online learning resources contained within the BlackBoard Ultra site and digital educational resources. These dynamic learning opportunities will support you to develop knowledge and help you gather evidence, which will inform your attainment of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).
How will I learn on this module?
In the module, you will be engaged in a variety of learning and teaching approaches. The module will be delivered using a blend of ELP- Blackboard Ultra and face-to-face practical sessions, underpinned by online learning resources. The focus of learning will be on the rehearsal of nursing skills to build knowledge and proficiency and assist with making links between theory and practice.
You will learn through a variety of methods, which will include practice learning, Online Support Learning (OSL), and simulated practice environment including standardised patients, human patient simulators, immersive interactive environments and partial task trainers. Learning will be supplemented by websites and training packages, which will include access to the Department’s specialist Skills4Practice website: https://www.s4pwebsite.com/.
You will be encouraged to work collaboratively with peers to build your knowledge and understanding and will be provided with the opportunity to link with fellow students in other fields of nursing. This introduces you to the task-work component of teamwork and reflects the realities of delivering effective care for people of all ages in the community and all healthcare settings. We work with a model of peer-learning (Learning Leaders) from previous cohorts who will share their experiences and advice, assisting you through year 1.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported by a module team of specialist nursing lecturers, who will provide ongoing guidance and feedback to ensure you are able to engage with concepts of safe nursing practice, the physical health, mental health and wellbeing status of people of all ages, and the academic rigour of the module.
You will also be supported via the module’s Online Supported Learning systems compliment face-to-face teaching and more formal classroom arrangements.
Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email and through Blackboard Ultra. Skills Plus, the University Library’s collection of online learning materials can be used to support the development of your academic skills (https://library.northumbria.ac.uk/develop-learning-skills/learning-skills). Further support for your learning is provided with a 24-hour IT Helpline and dedicated website (https://one.northumbria.ac.uk/service/it/Pages/Home.aspx) and the student support and wellbeing service (https://one.northumbria.ac.uk/service/sls/ssw/Pages/Home.aspx) at Northumbria are excellent points of contact for assistance for queries regarding disability, faith, counselling, mental health support, finance and welfare issues. You can access these services via email on your student portal, by telephone or through the help desk staff based within university libraries.
Additionally, you will have access to the University’s student portal site and the Ask4Help service (https://one.northumbria.ac.uk/service/sls/ask4help/Pages/home.aspx) which provides help for all student enquiries.
You will also support each other via peer support, through engaging in discussion and debate to enhance your learning. Additional relevant materials, including the electronic reading list and other teaching and learning methods, will be available via the Blackboard Ultra site and library services (https://library.northumbria.ac.uk/develop-learning-skills/learning-skills) to enhance and support your learning. All support will be in line with Disabled Student Services Report Recommendations.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
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)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse and explore the fundamental principles and concepts underpinning effective communication skills and safe evidence-based person-centred nursing care.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the foundations of professional communication and assessment skills to assess people of all ages accurately.
3. Critically apply a range of nursing skills which will enable you to assess people of all ages accurately and support them using safe and effective practice.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of medicine management.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and an ability to work within recognised professional standards.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment:
A practice exam will be available to self-assess your progress in preparation for the summative exam.
(MLO 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)
Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment will be an unseen written exam, 120 minutes in durations. Questions will be a mixture of MCQ and short answer questions with essay/scenario based questions. This exam will be submitted electronically, will be invigilated and will be marked electronically by the academic team.
(MLO 1, 2, 3 4 & 5)
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
The content of the Applied Life Sciences module will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in Annex A and B in Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurse (NMC 2018). This skills-based module will initiate the development of your communication and nursing procedure skills, which are necessary for safe, effective, professional practice and give you the key skills for a successful career in nursing. Sessions will focus on a range of skills and nursing interventions that support your learning in practice. You will have the opportunities to participate in a variety of simulated education environments, utilising a range of specialist technology, including standardised patients, human patient simulators, immersive interactive environments and partial task trainers. As you progress through the module, you will learn how to critically reflect on your own performance and illustrate your development and growing confidence your Ongoing Record of Achievement.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 Years Full Time
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start January 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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