Programme Specification 1

Transcription

1 Programme Specification 1 1. Programmes: Programme Title UCAS GU Code Code BN Degree / BN Degree with Honours B700 M33B SCQF Level: Credits: Awarding Institution: University of Glasgow 4. Teaching Institutions: 5. College: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences 6. School: Medicine [REG ] 7. Programme Accredited By: 8. Entrance Requirements: 1 This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course can be found in course handbooks and other programme documentation and online at The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 1 of 7

2 Please refer to the current undergraduate prospectus at: 9. Programme Aims: Nursing & Health Care at the University of Glasgow has, since its inception, been recognised as a provider of high quality nursing education. The graduates are highly valued by the NHS and tend to take up more advanced roles within their profession. The type of undergraduate degree offered is biomedical in nature, reflecting the input not only of the Nursing & Health Care staff but also world leading researchers of the Medical School and other relevant specialties. It is the only Nursing & Health Care School in the West of Scotland located within a College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. Nursing is a practice based profession with its own knowledge base but it is also important to draw on many other disciplines to both develop and support nursing practice. Development of nursing knowledge is both inductive and deductive theory informs practice and practice contributes to theory development and in a research based profession the integration of theory and practice is fundamental. The patient is the focus of nursing and the intrinsic value and uniqueness of the person is central to professional nursing practice. The graduate of Nursing & Health Care should be a safe, competent practitioner who can assume the responsibilities and accountabilities necessary for public protection which is inherent in the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education statement for degree nursing (QAA 2002). The educational process aims to encourage lifelong learning and recognition of the need for continued professional development beyond professional registration. Many graduates choose to return to study the MSc (Med Sci) in Health Care while a number of others have undertaken specialist nursing courses in other universities. The undergraduate programme lays a solid foundation for lifelong learning in the nursing profession. There are also opportunities for all our graduates to develop research, teaching, management or practical knowledge and skills depending on areas of interest. Therefore the degree programme aims are; To prepare students to be fit for practice, purpose and award To provide students with a sound grounding in the principles, theory and practice related to nursing care within the scope of professional practice To ensure the students value the patient as the focus of nursing and gain knowledge in the factors which influence their health in order to provide an holistic approach to care To examine policies and research which impact on nursing care delivery and management in order to identify the changing role of the nurse and best practice To ensure the graduate is a safe, competent practitioner who can assume the responsibilities and accountabilities necessary for public protection To analyse the importance of continuous professional development in relation to nursing within a dynamic and evolving health care system To enable the student to enhance their transferable and lifelong learning skills 10. Intended Learning Outcomes of Programme: The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas. Knowledge and Understanding Develop and demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts, principles and theories underpinning professional nursing practice and health; Gain knowledge of and demonstrate an awareness of the correlation of theory and evidence with practice Develop appropriate skills to provide care for people with a variety of health care settings Assess, plan, implement and evaluate strategies of care as they pertain to nursing Develop an awareness of the government and professional policies and the research which impacts ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 2 of 7

3 on the nursing profession and care delivery Develop an awareness of professional responsibilities and accountabilities necessary for public protection and lifelong learning Skills and Other Attributes Subject-specific/practical skills Demonstrate a range of essential nursing skills to meet individuals health care needs Apply theoretical learning to practice situations Work effectively in a multidisciplinary team respecting the contribution of each member of that team in meeting the holistic needs of patients/clients Show evidence of developing a wide range of communication skills by effectively interacting with clients, families, groups and different professional disciplines Develop team-working and presentational skills by investigating as a group health or nursing related issues and presenting findings to peer group Enhance professional development and safe practice through peer and professional support, supervision and updating of Professional Development Portfolio Demonstrate effective application of the Nursing & Midwifery Council Guidelines for Professional Practice Develop research knowledge and skills by using evidence based sources to complete a health needs analysis in a community, undertaking a comparative critique related to nursing practice and for honours students submitting a dissertation making recommendations pertinent to nursing practice. Intellectual skills Undertake critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of ideas, concepts, information and issues which underpin nursing practice in a variety of health care settings Identify and analyse nursing and other medical and health databases to make an informed choice related to care and other interventions Undertake a number of projects to apply theory to a clinical situation and develop problem solving skills Critically analyse research related to nursing practice from a variety of sources Recognise and acknowledge ethical and legal issues as they pertain to healthcare Develop an understanding of other healthcare related disciplines and their contribution to holistic patient/client centred care Transferable/key skills Work independently and take responsibility for individual learning and development Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing Use interpersonal and team-working skills in the classroom and clinical setting Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills in relation nursing theory and practice Provide a clear rationale for decision making Use negotiating skills Demonstrate the use of theory to justify and enhance practice Have good time management skills by meeting required deadlines Presentation skills oral, written and use of IT Develop IT skills by making efficient use of computers for acquiring, analysing and presenting information Develop leadership within a team and be able to manage change Develop organisational and other lifelong learning skills such as reflection by self-evaluation of theory and practice 11. Assessment Methods: ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 3 of 7

4 There are a variety of assessment methods to achieve the aims and learning outcomes which include; Unseen written examinations (formative and summative) to examine knowledge and recall under pressure to ensure the graduate will be a safe practitioner Assessment in clinical practice to ensure the graduate is a competent reflective and skilled practitioner Course assignments to develop intellectual and transferable skills such as information retrieval, critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis if ideas to correlate theory with practice in different clinical and health care settings. These assignments include a community profile, teaching packages, research critiques and dissertation Peer assessment by final year students for group presentations related to management issues in nursing to develop assessment and teaching skills in preparation of being a staff nurse on registration with the NMC Transferable skills are assessed through clinical practice, coursework reports, assignments and presentations such as time management, negotiating, leadership, all communication skills Practical skills are assessed on the clinical areas using a definitive tool according to speciality and year of course to meet the Nursing & Midwifery Council guidelines on Standards of Proficiency for Pre-registration Nursing Education (NMC, 2004) 12. Learning and Teaching Approaches: Teaching and learning methods vary depending on subject content; Each course uses lectures as an approach to provide information on the subject but these are nearly always supplemented with group-work or project work to allow students the opportunity to correlate theory with practice or consolidate knowledge Group-work is used to develop team-working, investigative, problem solving, presentation and peer teaching skills. Tutorials are used in the science subjects to help students with their understanding and resolve problems encountered. In year 1 some of these are student led by a student with a first degree in the subject matter e.g. anatomy and physiology Practical sessions develop clinical skills both in the university and clinical situations Self-directed sessions are used to develop self and time management skills, information retrieval and problem solving skills and to help correlate theory with practice Case studies and scenarios are used to correlate the subject matter taught in a particular year e.g. in year 3 nursing, pharmacology and pathology and human disease Dissertation for honours students develop critical analysis, evaluative and synthesis of ideas which can be correlated with practice 13. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Statements and Other External or Internal Reference Points: The following reference points were used in creating the existing programme specification; The Nursing & Midwifery Council (2004) Standards of Proficiency for Pre-registration Nursing Education, London, NMC who accredit this degree. The website is Standards The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2002) Scottish Subject Benchmark Statement Nursing Gloucester, QAA Programme Structure and Features: The Bachelor of Nursing Degree is a full time programme taught over 3 or 4 years (3 year Degree or 4 year Honours Degree). It fulfils the criteria of the Nursing and Midwifery Council regulations for entry onto the professional nursing register. Therefore it is organised over 4,600 hours (2,300 theory and 2,300 hours practice). The theory is taught within the University by the Nursing staff and several supporting disciplines while clinical practice takes place in a variety of healthcare settings within Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board Area. The Bachelor of Nursing Degree and Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) Degree consists of the following ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 4 of 7

5 courses; Year 1 (150 credits) Nursing and Integrated Biomedical & Life Science 50 credits (Level 1) Nursing Moral Philosophy & Ethics in Nursing Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry Microbial Infections Health Studies & Nursing 25 credits (Level 1) Health including health promotion and social policy Psychology and sociology Clinical Practice 75 credits (Level 1) Care of Older Adult Care of Families and Adults in the Community includes learning disabilities and mental health Introductory Hospital (Medical and Surgical) Year 1 is known as the Foundation Programme. This has to give a taste and flavour of all the branches of nursing including Caring for Families, People with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problems. The three components of this programme must be completed with a minimum grade of D for each before the student can enter year 2. Year 2: Adult Nursing Branch (150 credits) Nursing & Health Studies 50 credits Level 2 Nursing (including pharmacology and nutrition) Research Moral Philosophy and Ethics in Nursing Health Promotion Social Policy and Nursing Integrated Biomedical & Life Sciences 25 credits Level 2 Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry Microbial Infections Pathology Clinical Practice 75 credits Level 2 Adult medical & surgical hospital experiences General Community Public Health/Community Development Students are streamed in year 2 for the Honours programme. A student must achieve a grade C or above in Nursing & Health Studies and pass the other two components at first attempt i.e. achieve a grade D in Clinical Practice and Integrated Biomedical & Life Science assessments to be eligible for Honours. Students who do not qualify for the Honours degree, or who would prefer to complete a degree in three rather than four years, go forward for the degree programme in year 3. However, a minimum of a D grade must be achieved in all components of year 2 before entry to year 3 of the programme. Year 3 Adult Branch - (160 credits Junior Honours or 125 credits Degree students) ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 5 of 7

6 Nursing: 35 credits Level 3 Clinical pharmacology Moral Philosophy & Ethics Nursing Pathology & Human Disease 20 credits level 2 Research Methods: Level 3 Junior Honours: 15 credits Degree 10 credits Options: Level 3 15 credits Clinical Practice Level 3 40 credits Adult Specialist Medical Nursing Adult Specialist Surgical Nursing Adult Critical/Acute Care Clinical Practice Consolidation: (includes management) 40 credits Level 3 NB: Pathology and Human Disease is taught at level 3 in year 3 as there is only a short introduction to the subject in year 2 which is then developed in year 3. Knowledge of the other Biomedical and Life Sciences and Nursing is built upon each year of the course. The twelve weeks clinical consolidation is compulsory at the end of every nursing programme to ensure the graduate is fit for practice, purpose and award (NMC, 2004) Year 4: Honours Degree (135 credits) Students undertaking the BN Honours programme complete the two courses and dissertation as outlined below before moving into the twelve weeks consolidation period. Dissertation 30 credits (Level 4) Nursing Policy in Context 30 credits (Level 4) Management for Health Care 30 credits (Level 4) Clinical Practice Consolidation (includes mentorship) 45 credits (Level 3) All the courses whether theoretical or clinical are graded using the relevant University Code of Assessment Schedule 15. Additional Relevant Information: Details about Nursing & Health Care and undergraduate nursing course can be found at the website: All students of Nursing & Health Care are given a copy of the Undergraduate Programme Handbook along with the relevant Year Handbook. These provide a detailed description of the degree programme and lists of student support mechanisms such as advisers of studies, year co-ordinators, course leaders, link lecturers for clinical support etc. The Year Handbook gives more detailed information on the courses, assessment and progression for that particular year. A strength of our Nursing & Health Care School is that classes tend to be smaller which gives more opportunity for discussion, debate and support for students. Honours year students have set up an support system which students can access to discuss issues regarding clinical practice or study skills. They also have produced a booklet for, and talked to, year 1 students prior to their first clinical practice module ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 6 of 7

7 which students have found beneficial. Each student on the clinical area is supervised by a trained nurse and supported by a link lecturer from the university. Students who enter year 1 of the nursing programme with a first degree in a science subject such as anatomy or biochemistry have set up tutorial groups to support their peer group who are struggling with these subjects. There is good support from the Library staff who carry out workshops in searching sources of information relevant to the content of a course and all nursing students have full access to the Study Landscape in the Wolfson Medical School Building. Nursing students also use the Clinical Skills Laboratory in the Medical School to develop practical nursing skills. Inter-professional learning with medical and nursing students commenced in the session as the importance of these two professions working together is recognised. Graduates from the University of Glasgow nursing programme are highly valued by the NHS and there will be many opportunities to find employment in a variety of health care settings on graduation. The course prepares students to work in an institutional or community setting and gives them a flavour of the different specialities within nursing. 97% of our graduates are either in work or further study. Student feedback is very important in developing the programme and students have the opportunity to be involved in this through the Student/Staff Liaison Committee, Nurse Education Committee and the Annual Review Day. Representatives attend these meeting to give their points of view on curriculum development, support and facilities pertinent to their year of the programme. Support for students is provided by the Postgraduate/Undergraduate Adviser(s) of Studies supported by University resources such as the Effective Learning Adviser located in the Student Learning Service ( the Student Counselling and Advisory Service ( the Student Disability Service ( and the Careers Service ( 16. Academic Session: Additional Administrative Information to be completed: 17. Fee Type: Standard 18. Attendance Type: Full Time Date of production/revision: 04/08/2010 ProgrammeSpecification2010-V1 Page 7 of 7