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Postgraduate Programme Specification

MSc Advanced Nursing Practice - Critical Care Nursing

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MSc Advanced Nursing Practice - Critical Care Nursing Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Science
Programme Code NAM-MSC-AN UCAS Code HECoS Code 100290 - Nursing - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Part Time - 2 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Nursing & Midwifery

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Nursing (2009)

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

None

Programme Specific Regulations

Examinations

Students must pass 120 CATS points of taught modules on the programme and complete a quality improvement dissertation (60 CATS points) to be eligible for the award of a Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice.

The pass mark for all taught modules and the quality improvement dissertation is 50%.

Students who fail one or more taught modules are permitted one further attempt to pass at the next available opportunity for a maximum mark of 50%.

Students must have accumulated 120 CATS prior to submission of their dissertation.

The quality improvement dissertation must be submitted within a period of no more than two years after completion of the taught modules.

There is normally no re-submission permitted for the individual dissertation.

The degree will be classified in accordance with the University General Regulations, Study Regulations, Mark Scales.

Candidates who pass all the taught modules but who fail to achieve a mark of at least 50% in the quality improvement dissertation shall be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Practice.

Candidates who pass all the taught modules but who fail to submit a quality improvement dissertation shall be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Professional Practice.

For Master's Degrees, a pass with distinction will be awarded only when the following three conditions have been satisfied; an overall average of 70+ is achieved and a mark of 70+ is achieved in the dissertation module and an average of 65+ is achieved in the other modules.

Students with protected characteristics

No impediments to applicants for this programme.

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No
Yes, Fitness to Practice programmes are those which permit students to enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practice rules.

Educational Aims Of Programme

The MSc Advanced Nursing Practice programme aims to prepare students who wish to develop a career as an advanced practitioner. The programme is informed by the Advanced Nursing Practice Framework for Northern Ireland (Department of Health, 2016). This programme aims to equip experienced nurses skills, attitudes and values to effectively contribute to the provision of safe and effective care and support for people who use health and social care services. The programme will develop
•Intellectual and practical skills necessary to safely deliver advanced clinical care and support
•Promote and enable health and social care practice and leadership
•Intellectual and transferable skills necessary to function in positions requiring advanced nursing practice knowledge and skills
•Skills enabling critical review and introduce current evidence relevant to advanced nursing practice and leadership roles
Enquiry skills through the execution of a Quality Improvement Dissertation

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Apply a constant and integrated approach to analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex concepts, and developing information and issues around area of advanced clinical practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Identify and offer insights into complex and abstract ideas, and practice issues relevant to area of advanced clinical practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Nurture advanced clinical responses to problems and concerns around area of practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Identify and respond to complex care and support needs and emerging issues by making informed judgements around areas of advanced clinical practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Communicate at an advanced level to a range of audiences and adapt communication method to context and purpose

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Make informed judgements on emerging issues linked to advanced clinical practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Respond to address complex health and social care needs and professional issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Work in ways that are reflective, self-critical and evidence based.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Demonstrate advanced clinical skills and leadership in tackling and solving problems and concerns.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Exercise a level of autonomy and initiative in advanced nursing practice and professional activities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Use a range of resources to support and enhance work at advanced nursing practice level

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Communicate effectively with service users, carers, peers and experts dialogue in keeping with professional standards and expectations within area of advanced nursing practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, seminars, group discussion, presentation, on-line learning, supervision, distance learning, practicums, directed and independent reading

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Develop advanced knowledge and understanding generated through personal study and investigation that contributes to the development of the area of advanced practice in critical care.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Demonstrate critical and advanced knowledge and understanding of advanced nursing practice in critical care

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Demonstrate a critical overview of advanced nursing practice area, including critical understanding of principal theories, principles and concepts

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced clinical skills in the context of emerging issues and practice circumstances.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Demonstrate the development and application of advanced clinical knowledge, understanding and practices.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Use and enhance a range of complex skills, techniques, practices and materials at forefront of advanced critical care practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Use an advanced range of principle skills, techniques, practices associated with the area of advanced critical care practice

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The programme will be supported by lectures, tutorials, group discussion, on-line learning, directed and independent reading and supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment will be through written assignment, clinical practical assessment, oral examination, portfolio and quality improvement dissertation.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Successful leading for health and social care professionals HSN7032 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Critical Care- Advanced Nurse Practitioner HSN7088 7 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 50% 0% 50%
Advanced Critical Care – Clinical Portfolio HSN7090 7 0 YES YES 44 weeks N YES -- 0% 100% 0%
Transforming Practice Through Evidence HSN7087 7 30 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Advanced Critical Care – Clinical Portfolio HSN7090 8 0 YES YES 44 weeks N YES -- 0% 100% 0%
Dissertation NUR7009 8 60 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
8 30 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 30% 0% 70%

Notes

To qualify for the Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice students must take and pass taught modules worth 120 CATS points, must complete the Advanced Nursing Practice Portfolio and a quality improvement dissertation worth 60 CATS points [180 CATS points total].

HSN7090 Advanced Nursing Practice Portfolio will be completed throughout the two years of the programme and may require practice experience outside of the student’s current role and work environment.

Successful completion of all taught modules is essential before submission of the quality improvement dissertation element of the MSc.