Advanced Practice (Clinical) MSc

Core modules

• Advanced Skills in Clinical Assessment

  Advance your theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop and integrate your existing experience with the concept of autonomous decision making and practice and ideas of health care in the 21st Century. Research has indicated that nurses and allied health professionals, with the appropriate education, support and development can deliver services in practice traditionally delivered by a doctor. In order to provide a service that meets the needs of patients, it is crucial that professionals have the advanced skills and knowledge required in delivering a service and leading and developing practice. To facilitate the development of these clinical skills, to receive patients with undiagnosed health needs and offer treatment or referral, the programme includes supervised practice by medical staff and/or by experienced, advanced practitioners. You’ll assess, manage and discharge/refer to a specialist team, patients, including children, with a range of undiagnosed minor and long term illnesses/diseases. Whilst many of the clinical skills of assessment and diagnosis are common to the assessment of both injuries and minor illness, the diagnostic processes will be very different. Minor illness is any condition which is self-limiting and does not prevent the patient from carrying out their normal functions for more than a short period of time. Clinical skills will therefore concentrate on an understanding of systems and patho-physiology.

• Advanced Non-Medical Prescribing

  This module will prepare nurses, midwives, specialist community public health nurses and pharmacists to prescribe safely and cost effectively as independent and supplementary prescribers. Alongside the holistic assessment skills module, this educational programme will provide the practitioner with key skills to deliver community agendas, providing care close to home. Supervision and assessment from a designated GP or Nurse Practitioner is essential within this module in order to meet the 78 hours clinical practice requirement. It also aims to prepare allied health professionals to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively as supplementary prescribers and provide an opportunity for interprofessional students to debate, analyse and synthesise key issues within safe prescribing practice and its contribution to health care.

• Advanced Practice in Context

  Through undertaking this module, you will be able to navigate and articulate your transition towards advanced practice. We use work-based learning (WBL), which provides a stimulating and challenging approach through integrating your learning and personal/ professional development. This module is distinctive, because it will centre on the application of learning in the work-place, and evidence-based assessment of practice and achievement. You will be asked to relate your studies to your individual role as a practitioner. This module prepares you by developing ways of learning and new ways of working for your future career as an advanced practitioner. In particular the module will support critical exploration and debate of advanced practice, along with an analysis of the evidence base underpinning this advanced level of practice.

• Research Methodology

  With the increased emphasis on research in contemporary healthcare, it’s essential that you are familiar with research methodology. The ability to critically analyse and synthesise research is a necessary skill for all students, in order to be able to apply research in all areas of specialist interest in the delivery of effective patient care. This module will revisit existing knowledge of the research process and assist you in further developing skills of critical analysis and synthesis. You’ll also have the opportunity to critically appraise the ethical dimensions of research studies that seek to develop, improve and advance healthcare services.

• Major Project

  The Major Project is central to the Masters award and enables you to demonstrate your ability to synthesise learning from previous modules. You will use this learning as the basis for planning, conducting and writing up a research or work-based project. This is the opportunity for you to demonstrate the ability to raise significant and meaningful questions in relation to your chosen topic and a critical understanding of research methods and their relationship to knowledge. You will also be in a position to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in your research or professional practice and to expand existing knowledge to contribute to the development of best practice.

Optional modules

• Adult Acute Care

  This module explores all aspects of adult acute care and the support required for family or carers. It builds on the concept of Quality Critical Care (2005), recognising that individuals have the right to specialist care, regardless of location or speciality. Patient safety is an absolute priority and lessons learnt from the NPSA reports (2007, 2008) and the initiative of 'Reducing Harm from Deterioration' (Patient Safety First 2008) is incorporated as an outcome measure. Maintaining adequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation is essential for life. Compromise from any cause will lead to organ dysfunction, failure or even death. Through skilled assessment and interventions, practitioners can be proactive in detecting and supporting the highly dependent and acutely ill patient. This module provides the practitioner with the knowledge necessary to care for the highly dependent and acutely ill patient and maps directly against National Institute for health & Clinical Excellence Clinical Guideline 50, Acutely ill Patients in Hospital (2007). It is also guided by the Department of Health (2009) competencies for the acutely ill adult. In this post Francis (2013) era, the focus on patient experience and the NHS Constitution (2012) are embedded in the module. National reports such as 'Time to Intervene' (National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome & Death 2012) and 'Time to Act' (Parliamentary Ombudsmen 2013) continue to record failings in the provision of acute health care provision. This module helps to address how these failings may be remedied from the perspective of the practitioners and of the organisation. Opportunities to simulate practice and identify the human factors that influence patient safety together with increasing situational awareness will assist in this goal. Learning and teaching strategies include lectures, skills workshops, and a scenario based workshops. Opportunities to apply new knowledge and skills within your specialist practice will be facilitated.

• Advanced Management of Minor Injuries

  This module will provide you with advanced decision-making skills, theoretical knowledge and advanced practical skills to work autonomously when caring for patients with a minor injury. You will gain advanced decision making skills, theoretical knowledge and advanced practical skills to work autonomously in caring for patients who present with a minor injury. Minor injuries cover all of the common injuries, for both adults and children. You'll learn from examples of history taking, examination, radiology, treatment and advice for each condition.

• Advanced Management of Persons with Diabetes across the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Settings

  This module is aimed at all practitioners, especially those with an interest in the management of adults and children with diabetes. It will help you enhance your existing knowledge and skills for delivering evidence-based diabetes care and exercise your higher levels of judgment, discretion and decision making. Key aspects of diabetes care will be explored including the epidemiology, pathophysiology, novel biomarkers and diagnosis criteria of diabetes; main types of diabetes and short-term and long-term complications. You will analyse key standards required to improve diabetes care either in a primary or secondary care setting.

• Emergency Care

  Injury or illness may occur suddenly or may arise as a consequence of an underlying condition. It may have life threatening implications. The purpose of this module is to consider and explore the common illnesses and injuries of clients attending the emergency department. The accepted initial and subsequent management of these illnesses and injuries are critically evaluated. The use of effective teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration are related to current key policies in the practice situation. This module is a theory/practice module in which the student will learn both in the classroom and in the practice area. Learning and teaching methods in the classroom will include a variety of methods such as lectures, seminars, group work, simulation, etc. Learning and teaching in clinical practice will be under the supervision of an experienced practitioner within your own clinical area. The module is assessed from both a theory and practice perspective.

• Advanced Principles of Respiratory and Thoracic Care

  Approximately 1 in 5 people in the United Kingdom have been diagnosed with lung disease. Lung disease is responsible for nearly 700,000 hospital admissions and over 6 million bed-days in the UK each year. (British Lung Foundation, 2015). These figures highlight the huge health and economic burden of respiratory illness, confirming what respiratory specialists have been aware of for some time, that diseases of the lungs are a growing and a real issue that cannot be ignored. Diseases and illness affecting the respiratory system are often complex thus requiring varied prevention, management and treatment interventions, involving patients, carers and multidisciplinary team members. To meet the challenges and demands of caring for the respiratory and/or thoracic patient across the acute and chronic spectrum, nurses need to be equipped with an advanced knowledge base and specialist skills to deliver high quality evidence based care. This module’s aims are to support the theoretical learning and thus application of this advancing knowledge and skill set within the respiratory and thoracic field. This module is primarily intended for registered healthcare professionals working in areas such as respiratory wards, thoracic surgery and critical care areas. This level 7 theory practice module provides the student with opportunities to learn both in the classroom and in the practice area. Learning and teaching strategies include lectures, group discussion, online learning resources and skills. The module will be assessed theoretically by a fine graded poster presentation and a practice competency document. The practice assessment will be undertaken by an experienced clinical mentor who will need to be identified in conjunction with the clinical manager and module leader prior to commencing the module.

• Specialist Mental Health Care

  This module aims to allow you to develop specialist knowledge on certain mental health conditions. You will be able to understand and comprehend various specialised aspects of the ‘craft of caring’ for people with a serious mental illness. You will also get the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of more complex individualised care, helping to improve the quality of care the patient receives. The module will explore varied specialisms for example, forensics, older people, learning disabilities, carers, child and adolescence mental health care needs, and will also consider an international perspective.

• Minor Illness Assessment and Management

  This module will provide health care professionals with an approach to the assessment and management of patients with minor illnesses that is symptom-based and patient safety-focused. The first part of the module looks at the importance of performing a systematic clinical assessment and learning the patterns of illness and red flags for the serious conditions that may present with the symptoms of minor illness. The limitations of clinical assessment in early illness and the dynamic nature of illness are also discussed, along with the principles and practices of safety-netting. The assessment of babies, children and older patients is discussed, along with telephone consulting. Specific clinical examination skills that relate to minor illness will also be taught. In the second part of the module, the common symptoms that patients present with will be covered, each time taking a symptom-based, patient safety-focused approach to the assessment and management of these patients. The sessions will conform to the relevant NICE guidelines and include the latest information on the use of antibiotics and analgesics in minor illness from organisations such as Public Health England and the European Medicines Agency. Students will either attend all 8 days of face-to-face teaching and assessment, or 4.5 days in the classroom and 3.5 days of on-line learning, spread over 4 months. The face-to-face teaching will run on alternate weeks to enable students to work with their mentors between the days at the university. Students will complete a reflective practice form for each session, where they will record what they have learned from each session and how this might lead to a change in their practice, along with the evidence-base for any changes to their practice. A logbook of clinical assessment skills and conditions encountered will also be required. At the end of the module, summative OSCE’s will enable the health care professional to demonstrate their clinical competence and a safe approach to the assessment and management of the patient with a minor illness. The OSCE will take the form of a 15-minute, simulated consultation taking place in the student’s workplace, during which the student will be required to assess the patient, exclude any serious conditions and propose an appropriate management plan, or referral pathway, related to their workplace.

• Cardiac Care

  Coronary heart disease remains the predominant cause of death in the United Kingdom. About 300,000 people sustain myocardial infarction every year (UK) and more than 110,000 die from Coronary Heart Disease in England every year. In addition Coronary Heart Disease has a major impact on the lives of the patients and their relatives and on the economy of the United Kingdom. Preventing Coronary Heart Disease and reducing its mortality rate remains a major aim of the NHS and the Government. This module provides the opportunity to explore and develop the knowledge and skills required to meet the diverse acute and chronic needs of cardiac patients, their families/or carers. It will focus on the assessment, monitoring, medical and surgical management of cardiac disorders. This module is suitable for graduate nurses working in areas such as coronary care units, cardiac (medical and surgical) wards, investigational units and critical care areas. In order to receive care that is effective and of high quality the patient with a cardiac disorder is dependent upon practitioners being skilled in arrhythmia recognition and 12 lead ECG analysis. There is a strong emphasis on the development of this skill and the knowledge of how to interpret and respond to potential and actual deterioration in the patient's condition. This will involve focusing on the haemodynamic effects of cardiac arrhythmias, their clinical presentations, and the various strategies of the management for cardiac arrhythmias to enhance cardiac output. This module is a theory/practice module in which the student will learn both in the classroom and in the practice area. Learning and teaching methods in the classroom will include a variety of methods such as lectures, seminars, group work, etc. Learning and teaching in clinical practice will be under the supervision of an experienced practitioner and qualified mentor within the students own clinical area. The module is assessed from both a theory and practice perspective. The theory is assessed through a Viva. The students' practice is assessed through achievement of clinical competencies at expert level (stage 5).

• Pain Management

  This module will consider the nature of pain, and will focus on the physical, social and psychological theories and issues that underpin the management. The module will introduce key concepts and issues to develop the student’s awareness, knowledge and skills to promote up to date pain management. The role of the individual healthcare practitioner in the management of pain will be explored however there will be emphasis on interprofessional team work. The focus of the module is upon contemporary theory and the main approaches to pain assessment and management including; the medical approach, behaviour change approach, educational approach, client-centred approach. The module will empower students to develop the necessary communication skills. The students will be given the opportunity to use their own experiential understanding within their own local context which will include the choice of speciality in assignment topics. On completion of this module the knowledge and skills acquired are transferable to a number of areas enabling the development of skills, which will promote care of patients with both acute and chronic pain experiences.

• Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (for ACP trainees)

  The module will enable students to develop their knowledge in the field of pathophysiology, their skills in the application of this knowledge in clinical reasoning and the planning of management strategies. It will provide students with core knowledge of basic medical sciences in the fields of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology/histology, microbiology and genetics and clinical medicine. This module advances the knowledge and skills of the Advanced Practitioner students in relation to pathophysiology and clinical reasoning in order to suit their evolving practice role. It will provide students with an in-depth level of knowledge across the life span, complemented by the student’s clinical experiences. Students will be taught using a variety of methods including seminar, lecture and enquiry based learning in order to support the identification of core clinical conditions (DoH 2006). This module contributes to meeting the course learning outcomes: B01 - Consolidate and develop theoretical knowledge to underpin advanced clinical assessment/management skills relevant to the individuals scope of advanced nursing practice; B02 - Engage with work-based learning; B06 - Use clinical judgement in managing complex and unpredictable care events within the context of the interprofessional team.

• Palliative and end of life Care - Management of Symptoms in Advanced Disease

  Understand the various causes and management of symptoms and learn how to communicate sensitively about end of life concerns. In order to meet the needs of dying patients, you need to understand the various causes and management of symptoms and also learn how to communicate sensitively about end of life concerns. This enables module enables you to provide high-quality, holistic end of life care, and to know when specialist input is required.

• Wound Management

  To use ever changing wound healing technologies correctly and cost effectively, you need to be able to make informed decisions about products and care strategies. This module will give you the necessary knowledge to manage wounds on a day to day basis in both primary and secondary care settings. You will explore current wound care issues and develop a sound knowledge of aetiology, physiology & care and management of the individual with tissue viability needs. Assessment is a 30-questions MCQ test and a 4000 word critical analysis of a chosen wound management treatment.

Please note that you will choose one of the above optional modules. Modules are subject to change.