Return to Nursing Practice

Teaching

Students are taught through a blended learning approach, consisting of lectures, seminars, workshops, simulation-based learning sessions and practice learning.  Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities.  Teaching ensures that each student meets the programme requirements for their intended area and field of practice (Adult, Children’s and Mental Health).  

In addition, Personal Academic Tutor meetings will be tailored to the student’s particular needs and will be personal, flexible and proactive.  

The programme enables students to experience a range of placement experiences relevant to their field of practice and intended area of practice, using a Hub and Spoke model. This facilitates work-readiness, personal and professional development. Students on placement are supernumerary and are supported by a Practice Supervisor and assessed by a Practice Assessor, both having undergone appropriate preparation for their roles. Further support is provided by the zoned academic for the setting, the inter-professional team, a nominated person (usually a member of the practice education team) and an Academic Assessor. Students will have access to the organisations intranet and library resources whilst on placement, in addition to University resources.  

Practice learning is assessed using the England Return to Practice, Practice Assessment Document (RtP PAD).  The exact proficiencies each student must achieve are determined through tripartite review involving the student, the Practice Assessor and the Academic Assessor, to identify current knowledge, skills and previous experiences. This will facilitate the identification of the student’s individual needs in relation to their intended area of practice, including making reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities. 

Contact time

During semester one, students will complete 36 hours class contact time. These hours are delivered as 6-hour days spread across the semester.

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

• group lectures 20240626 
• interactive workshops
• seminars
• clinical skills simulation  
• scenario based workshops 
• E-Learning and Virtual classrooms

You will also complete a maximum of 450 practice learning hours (exact requirements will be determined on an individual basis, with a minimum of 150 hours). During semester one you will complete a maximum of 30 hours skills and simulated learning, to complete mandatory training and prepare students for their placement. During practice learning weeks, usually occurring in semester two, students will be expected to attend placement for a minimum of two days (shifts) per week. All practice learning hours, including skills and simulated learning must be formally recorded and signed for.  

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to complete 36 hours of personal self-study across the programme. Typically, this will involve utilising library resources, reading and assignment preparation.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including The Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources.   

Duration

Part-time over one semester. Maximum one year.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching staff

Students will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the module. The team is made up primarily of Registered Nurses from different backgrounds, with expertise in their chosen field of practice/area of expertise. Teaching is also supported by the inter-disciplinary and multiagency team, when specialist knowledge is required. Contributions by service users, carers and their families, provides opportunity for them to share their lived experiences, with service users as appropriate having a role in the assessment process. Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, with 76% of permanent lecturers on the programme being Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, including 9% Senior Fellows (January 2020). 

Assessment

Assessment enables students to learn about themselves as learners, reflecting on their learning experiences and providing opportunity to demonstrate their academic, practical, technical and professional progress and achievement in theory and practice. Both formative (informal and developmental) and summative (formal) assessment strategies are incorporated. Formative numeracy assessment linked to medicines management is completed via an e-platform. They play an important role in helping to develop employability skills and to prepare students to develop their career.

Summative assessment activities consist of:

• A critical reflection
• Assessment in practice 

Programme Specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.