Entry Requirements | Nursing Studies BSc (Hons) top up

If you have a Diploma in Nursing Studies, then you will need to choose four optional modules from the list below as well as the Independent Study (double module).

If you have an Advanced Diploma in Nursing Studies then you'll only need to choose one optional module from the list below, as well as the Independent Study module (double module).

Stage 1

• Applied Cognitive Behavioural Theory
  • Code:6CL502
  • Info:

    This module explores the various theoretical explanations of cognitive behavioural therapy. You will examine various disorders including Panic, Anxiety, Phobias and Depression. 

    On successful completion of this module you wil be able to critically analyse the contribution cognitive behavioural theory has made to our understanding of human problems.

    Topics covered may include include: 

    • Cognitive and behavioural explanations of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the associated theory base
    • Cognitive and behavioural explanations of Depression and the associated theory base
    • Cognitive and behavioural explanations of Anxiety
    • Cognitive and behavioural explanations of Phobias.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Core module
• Assessment in Cognitive Behavioural Practice
  • Code:6CL500
  • Info:

    The skills of conducting an assessment is one of the key skills that contribute to successful outcomes in cognitive behavioural therapy. This module introduces the student to the nature of assessment within cognitive behavioural practice, the difference between ideographic and nomothetic assessment, the use of measurements and the nature of the relationship within cognitive behavioural practice.  You'll have the opportunity to observe and critique examples of assessments.

    On successful completion of this module, you will be able to critically analyse the use of relational and interviewing skills in cognitive behavioural practice.

    Topics covered may include:

    • The nature of the relationship in cognitive behavioural practice
    • Interviewing skills
    • Nomothetic and ideographic models of assessment, their uses and abuses
    • Types of measurement, including observational and self report
    • Uses of cognitive behavioural assessment.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Core module
• Asthma: Mechanisms and Modern Management
  • Code:6NU520
  • Info:

    This module has been designed to enable Health Care Practitioners to meet the current challenges of modern Asthma care and management.

    It offers a logical and systematic journey from the understanding of associated anatomy, pathopyhsiology and mechanisms of Asthma through to present and contemporary perspectives of management. An international focus will be adopted in reviewing current policy relating to patient management and self management practices in addition to close scrutiny of national and local policies impacting on the students’ current arena of practice.

    On completion of this module you will be able to:

    • Recognise key aspects of professional knowledge and competence in Asthma management, that promotes logical decision making in normal, complex and unpredictable contexts.
    • Evidence the ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and treatment within the realms of Asthma management
    • Reflect on and critically evaluate your own professional role in understanding and facilitating self management of the person with Asthma.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Epidemiology, incidence and prevalence
    • Aetiology, natural history, genetics and atopy
    • Anatomy and pathophysiology
    • Signs and symptons/clinical manifestations
    • Assessment of the patient
    • Differential diagnosis/co morbidities
    • Management of the condition
    • Acute/Chronic Asthmas
    • Current treatment options/Pharmacology, therapies
    • Policy and Guidelines
    • Monitoring review and audit
    • Rehabilitation
    • Multi disciplinary working
    • Holistic impact on patient family and carers – bio psychosocial aspects
    • Psychology of Breathlessness
    • Patient knowledge skills and attitude – facilitating self management
    • Consent, choice and concordance
    • Public health
    • Health economics
    • Professional, ethical and legal issues.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Diabetes: A Contemporary Approach
  • Code:6NU521
  • Info:

    Diabetes is recognised internationally as a major health problem.

    This module will provide structured materials which will enable the practitioner to examine disease processes of both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, current modes of diagnosis, assessment, treatment and contemporary management of the disease in adults.

    The module aims to deliver a specialist focus on self management which will enable you to provide an optimum care package for the individual with Diabetes.

    On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

    • Examine multiprofessional diabetes services and illustrate an understanding of other professionals' roles and how these contribute to the service
    • Identify and critically evaluate educational strategies for clients with diabetes in order to ensure effective self management
    • Critically evaluate evidence-based knowledge related to the assessment, treatment and management of those persons with diabetes, providing an evidence base for best practice.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Basic Principles of Diabetes & its Biochemistry
    • Pathophysiology
    • Clinical Manifestations/ features of Diabetes
    • Clinical Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes:
    • Management of Type 2 Diabetes
    • Management of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
    • Dietetic intervention
    • Management in extraordinary situations/ Surgery/ other illnesses
    • Complications of Diabetes
    • Living with Diabetes
    • Organisation of Care
    • Patient knowledge skills and attitude.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care Practice & Policy
  • Code:6NU503
  • Info:

    In an increasingly litigious culture, the interface between healthcare and law is also becoming increasingly important. As a professional practitioner you need to be able to engage with these issues in a coherent and confident way.  Such issues arise at all levels, policy, organisation, team and individual patient care. This module will assist you in recognising and engaging with these issues by applying the principles to the practice situation.

    At the end of the module you'll be able to:

    • Critically analyse ethical and legal issues relevant to health care practice and policy
    • Critically apply selected theoretical perspectives relevant to ethics in health
    • Understand and apply relevant ethical arguments and legal perspectives to a specific practice situation.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Theories of ethics
    • Professional and interprofessional ethics
    • Legal principles relevant to health care
    • Autonomy, consent and confidentiality
    • Duty of care
    • Quality of life
    • Decisions at the beginning and end of life
    • Rationing of health care
    • Organisations in health care
    • Professional standards and guidance

    
    

  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Evidence Based Practice
  • Code:6NU527
  • Info:

    This module explores Evidence Based Practice; the practical skills and knowledge required in searching for the best available evidence and the critical understanding of different sources of evidence, in order to promote and implement clinically effective care and decision-making.

    The focus of this module is on the critical evaluation of evidence and how this evidence can be used to increase clinical effectiveness. It has relevance for all health care professionals, but is particularly useful for those who have an interest in developing their skills of using research in practice, those who participate in clinical decision making and for students who require grounding in the essential elements of evidence based practice prior to undertaking a work based project or service improvement.

    Topics covered may include:

    • The context of Evidence Based Practice, including policy and guidelines; health economics and professional, ethical and legal issues
    • Types of evidence and knowledge, including research methodologies
    • Finding and reviewing the evidence including literature search strategies 
    • Decision making and implementation of evidence based practice
    • Critical appraisal skills/use of critical appraisal tools
    • Decision making and implementation of evidence based practice
    • Dissemination and facilitation of change through EBP in practice development.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Independent Studies
  • Code:6NU995
  • Info:

    This is a key element of the course, bringing your skills of critical analysis, objective evaluation, problem solving and personal reflection together to undertake a substantial piece of research into an area of your choice.

    Topics covered may include:

    • The nature of evidence based-practice
    • Reflecting on practice
    • Using single cases and critical incidents to support practice development
    • Selection of evidence for practice
    • Critiquing evidence
    • Application of evidence into practice
    • Ethical issues in evidence-based practice
    • Evaluation of change within practice.
  • Credits:40
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Issues and Debates on Diagnostics and Medication in Mental Health
  • Code:6CL501
  • Info:

    Practitioners such as nurses, counsellor’s and psychotherapists need to be able to communicate with psychiatrists, other members of mental health teams and medical staff in primary care and other medical settings. In addition practitioners are often required to give opinions in a legal context. Furthermore the psychological literature uses diagnostic classification as the basis for empirical research.

    It is therefore imperative that practitioners are able to make use of diagnostic classifications in order to communicate accurately and use the literature to inform practice. Practitioners will also regularly come into contact with clients who are taking or may require a joint medication and psychological psychotherapeutic approach.  It is therefore important that a working knowledge of prescribed medications and psychopharmacology (the study of drug-induced changes in mood, sensation, thinking, and behaviour) is acquired.

    On successful completion of this module, you will be able to critically analyse:

    • the use of ICD 10 and DSM 4 (diagnotic classifications) in order to identify a range of psychological and emotional disorders
    • the modes of action and interactions of commonlyused medications for psychopathology
    • the aetiology and treatment of specific psychopathologies.

    Topics covered can include:

    • Diagnostic classification (ICD and DSM)
    • Diagnostic reliability and validity
    • Strengths and limitations of diagnostic classification
    • Psychiatric medications, i.e. antidepressants, anti-psychotics (standard and atypical), tranquillisers, hypnotics, beta-blockers
    • Common medications used in chronic physical health problems eg diabetes, cardiac conditions, cancer
    • Drug interactions and side effects.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Core module
• Mentoring in Practice
  • Code:6NU528
  • Info:

    Within health and social care the role of the mentor has evolved into that of an individual who has responsibility for students' learning in the practice setting, the quality of that learning and the assessment of skills. To fulfil this role therefore, you will need a critical understanding of key issues affecting teaching, learning and assessing.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Establishing effective working relationships
    • Facilitation of learning
    • Assessment and accountability
    • Evaluation of learning
    • Creating an environment for learning
    • Context of practice
    • Evidence-based practice
    • Leadership.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Minor Injuries
  • Code:6NU518
  • Info:

    You’ll develop knowledge and understanding of the assessment, diagnosis and management of people presenting with minor injuries. This will provide healthcare professionals with a solid theoretical foundation to inform future practice. Whilst the module does include examination techniques, it is not possible to assess the application of this knowledge within the students own clinical setting. As with all aspects of clinical practice, this would need to be agreed with the student’s employer, in line with regulatory body guidance and other national and local guidelines.

    In this module we will cover:

    • Clinical history taking examination and documentation
    • Anatomy and physiology relevant to minor injuries
    • Musculoskeletal examination
    • Assessment of neurological function related to the limbs
    • Assessment and management of common minor injury presentations eg:  minor wounds, burns, minor head injuries, soft tissue injuries, eye injuries
    • Analgesia relevant to minor injuries.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Negotiated Module
  • Code:6NU506
  • Info:

    This module allows you to choose an area of study (in agreement with your tutor) that interests you and that hasn’t been covered on the course. Alternatively, you could choose a topic that allows you to apply elements of what you’ve already learned to your workplace.

    You will negotiate a contract of learning with the module leader or delegated supervisor. The contract will contain the following elements:

    • Title
    • Rationale
    • Learning outcomes (approx 3-5)
    • An outline of how the outcomes are to be met
    • References indicating an appropriate literature search
    • Proposed schedule of work
    • Criteria for assessment
    • Methods of assessment including weightings if appropriate.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Palliative Care
  • Code:6NU507
  • Info:

    In this module, you will consolidate your learning, drawing on previous knowledge and skills to develop confidence and competence in management of a patient and their carers at the end of life.

    Within all health care environments, health care professionals are involved in caring for the dying patient. Managing symptoms, supporting the client and carers, and using your own and others’ expertise to the benefit of the client, are all important aspects. With the development of end of life care initiatives, the need to provide the right level of care at the right time and in the right place has been emphasised as of paramount importance to all concerned.

    We will cover the following topics.

    • Assessment in palliative care
    • Concepts of loss and bereavement
    • Holistic care delivery strategies
    • Ethical and professional issues at the end of life
    • Gold Standards Framework and Liverpool Care Pathways
    • Methods of relieving pain
    • Stages of grief
    • Symptom management
    • Anticipatory grief.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Public Health: UK and International Perspectives
  • Code:6NU519
  • Info:

    Although there have been improvements in public health across the globe, there still remain great inequalities within regions and countries around the world.  Social and medical determinants of these inequalities impact on the health of communities and populations. Public Health activities can play a key part in improving the health of families, communities and localities.

    You will explore and examine the issues that relate to public health through an international lens in terms of determinants of health and through reflection on their own practice. Using essential elements of public health as a framework, you will be able to compare activities between regions/countries to inform your own knowledge in relation to your own area of public health.  

    Topics covered may include:

    • Definitions and meanings of public health
    • Principles and essential elements of public health theory and practice
    • Reflection for learning and public health practice
    • The organisation of public health nationally and internationally
    • Accessing and using demographic and epidemiological data and information for public health
    • Exploring inequalities in health.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Theory and Reflection to Support Practitioners Undergoing Preceptorship
  • Code:6NU517
  • Info:

    Designed in partnership with senior nurses at local NHS trusts, this module will provide you with theory and reflective support to new employees in these institutions. 

    The module content is informed by the requirements of the NHS trusts and includes the development of skills to encourage evidence based practice, alongside the acquisition of the knowledge base required to enhance the skills development of the nurse who is new to the organisation.

    After the successful competion of this module, you will be able to find and critically appraise appropriate evidence to support the care you provide and critically analyse the evidence required to support best practice.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and lifelong learning
    • Evidence based practice
    • Literature searching
    • Reflective learning
    • Theory practice interface
    • Information management and technology
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module
• Therapeutics and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Code:6NU511
  • Info:

    There is a growing need for nurses in both primary and secondary care to address the issues of drug administration, basic therapeutics and the use of drugs in clinical conditions.

    Topics covered may include:

    • Drug administration
    • Diagnostic reasoning
    • Pharmacokinetics
    • The use and effect of drugs in clinical conditions
    • The use of drugs in mental health
    • Alternative perspectives on health and care
    • Numeracy – mathematics applied to the administration of drugs.
  • Credits:20
  • Stage:Stage 1
  • Core:Optional module