Available in semester one

This module is required within a specialist practice pathway to allow students to evaluate person centred assessment and develop new insights of the global appraisal of the patient whilst demonstrating effective communication skills. The specialist nurse is expected to exercise higher levels of judgement and decision making in specialist care and communicate effectively. Therefore the module will be dedicated to communication, the philosophy of holism, person centred care, lifespan continuum and process of disease development, and interpreting patient data.  The primary purpose of specialist practice is competent client assessment, effective communication and ensuring patient safety.

This integrated theory/clinical practice module will enable you to use higher levels of judgement and discretion when undertaking cervical smears and teaching breast awareness and deliver a higher quality service. You will acquire skills such as taking a cervical smear, principles of communication, counselling and teaching, as well as psychosexual counselling. You will undertake relevant research and be able to critically analyse National Screening programmes for the benefit of patients.

The programme also explores the anatomy and physiology of the breast, cervical and genitor-urinary medical conditions, and the ethical and legal issues surrounding screening. Practical supervision will be provided in the student’s own practice such as in a health centre, general practitioner practice or family planning clinic audited by Queen’s and recognised as agreed training facilities. Students must have an identified and agreed supervisor of practice and have negotiated their clinical placement with the module leader prior to commencing the course.

Available in semester two

This module explores Child Care law, looking at key areas of statutory and case law, and related policy and guidelines that impact on care provision for children with differing needs in health care settings. It covers children from birth to 18 years and reviews the Children NI Order 1995, related legislation and the Courts that deal with family matters and juvenile crime. It looks at the role and functions of key agencies and their impact on enforcing children’s rights. The tort of negligence, duty of care and consent in minors is explored as is data protection and freedom of information legislation; including professional guidelines on record keeping and report writing and care plans, and for case conferences and the courts. Also, the preparation and giving of evidence is reviewed.

Available in semester onee and two

This module will prepare midwives to undertake the examination of the newborn as screening for abnormality. It will include theory of the normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology of major systems as well as the clinical components that would enable the midwife to develop her clinical skills. Theory will be covered during study days and clinical practice will be developed during work time in the maternity unit under supervision. Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of examination of the newborn and assessment will be both practical and written.

Available in Semester Two

This module gives students the opportunity to assess the health of clients in their care using a range of interventions and aims to integrate theoretical knowledge to underpin the skills required for competent physical and mental health assessment.

Available in Semester One

The aim of this module is to help the practitioner to develop new skills and confidence in caring for a patient immediately before, during and immediately after anaesthesia, prior to transferring the patient to the care of recovery room staff. The target group for this module is those Registered Nurses who are relatively new to caring for patients requiring anaesthesia and who have little previous experience in this area of practice. The module has as its focus the needs of patients and patient safety; it will help prepare the practitioner to develop new skills along with personal and professional development.

Available in Semester One

This compulsory module will enable students to evaluate their leadership skills and ability to facilitate others. By exploring clinical governance, reflective practice, leadership theory and models of facilitation, students will become more self aware and demonstrate effectiveness in helping others to learn, problem solve and develop in practice. Emphasis will also be placed on practice development, quality improvement risk and resource management. An awareness of current affairs, media and political issues will be debated in the module. Supported self directed learning and blended learning techniques will be utilised throughout the module.

Available in semester Two

This module will focus on epidemiology of leg ulceration, diabetic foot problems and primary and secondary lymphoedema. Emphasis will be placed on pathophysiology, patient assessment, special investigations, management options and care plan development incorporating the multiprofessional team.

Available in Semester One

 The aim of this short course is to facilitate registered nurses in developing the practical skills necessary to function effectively when caring for people with dementia and to appreciate the underpinning principles of practice alongside a detailed awareness of current evidence based care.

Available in Semester Two

This module covers a range of issues including; exploration of the nature of nursing in palliative care, the management of pain and understanding of the patho-physiological nature of pain; pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of pain; symptom control and nursing assessment / intervention in gastrointestinal, respiratory and metabolic symptoms and their management.

Available in semester 1

Following introductory lectures on key concepts underpining the homeostatic nature of the human body, this module will focus on specific physiological disruption and adaptation processes in the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and nervous systems within the context of acute and critical health care. In addition, related immunobiological, gastro-intestinal and haematological concepts will also be studies.

Available in semester 2

This module will focus on the effects of pressure and shear on blood flow, identification of at risk patients, nutrition and tissue viability, effects of posture and seating, manual handling, pressure mapping, pressure ulcer grading, prevalence and incidence collection and multi-professional care plan development.

Available in semester Two

Self-harm is increasingly common, but is often hidden. It can be hard to know what might be causing a person to self-harm, and how to help and support them. Most people who self-harm say it gives them some relief from unbearably painful emotions or numbness. Most say they are not suicidal, but a small number are truly suicidal, and it is known that people who repeatedly self-harm are at increased risk of dying by suicide.

This module aims to highlight the difference between self-harm and suicide and explore the role self-harm plays in the management of extreme distress. You will learn how to work more empathically and effectively with services users who present with this method off dealing with distress. Providing support for the family through education and skills development will be a significant aspect of this module.

Available in semester 2

From a public health perspective figures from the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre showing a 5% rise in overall admissions for drug and alcohol related mental and behavioural disorders is very worrying. Substance misuse is something that can develop very insidiously and what often began as a voluntary choice has turned into a physiological and psychological need.

This module will explore the epidemiology of substance use across the life-span. You will have an understanding of the diagnostic and screening assessment and treatment process. Using an early intervention framework you will develop the skills of early recognition and extended brief interventions. Current pharmacological treatments will be reviewed. Particular attention will be given to co-morbid mental and physical illnesses.

This module will enable health practitioners in relevant clinical settings to undertake the diagnosis and management of STIs, including partner notification and risk reduction in addition to achieving clinical competence in sexual history taking, genital examination, diagnosis and treatment. At completion of the module the health practitioner will be able to utilize higher levels of judgment, expertise and knowledge to become professionally competent and confident in giving advice and effective care on matters concerning common genital and sexually transmitted infections.

Available in Semester Two

This 40 credit double module will enable you to use higher levels of judgement and discretion in giving advice and effective care on matters concerning fertility control, sexuality and health promotion. You will acquire the theoretical knowledge of fertility control and sexuality, including discussion of all contraceptive methods and their effects on individual lifestyles.

You will gain competence in relevant contraceptive methods, and experience of teaching clients in the use of the use of their chosen contraceptive method. The programme also explores the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology related to family planning and reproductive health, and the medical, legal, ethical and professional issues surrounding it. Practical supervision will be provided in the student’s own practice such as in a health centre, general practitioner practice or family planning clinic audited by Queen’s and recognised as agreed training facilities. Students must have an identified and agreed supervisor of practice and their family planning placement will be negotiated with the module leader prior to commencing the course.

Available in semester 1

This module will focus on the physiological process of wound healing, extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting wound healing, microbiology of wounds, assessment of patients with wounds and acute and chronic wound management, including management options.

Over Two Semesters

This 40 credit double module will facilitate competence in ultrasound scanning techniques by developing students’ skills and ensuring confident interpretation of ultrasound scanning.

NEW: Practice teaching and learning for health and social care professionals - Level 7

Available in Semester 2

Facilitating learning in practice, where students will identify their role as a practice educator in health and social care settings and the relationship with skills sharing, skills delegation, assessment and teaching and learning plans in practice to enable safe skills delegation, assessing learning and professional and legal accountability.

Available in Semester 2

Module Delivery: it is anticipated the module will be delivered in 22/23 academic year in a blended format with minimal requirement for face to face attendance owing to Covid-19.

This module is for post-registration midwives and will facilitate preparation of the midwifery workforce to implement strategic transformation of maternity services in NI.

Implementation of Continuity of Midwifery Care has progressed increasingly across the UK and further afield. Within NI implementation of CoMC has progressed at much slower pace and to ensure a high-quality education provision, learning from experts in the field across a number of key elements in relation to Continuity of Midwifery Care is required. Leaders in this field, both national and international will contribute to the module planning and design, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of the subject area within the module. Collaborating with experts in the field with experience of implementation and evaluation will result in a relevant, forward thinking and quality educational product. Key elements of the module will include:

• Introducing CoMC into mainstream maternity services
• Ensuring quality and safety
• Cost Effectiveness and Health Economics perspective of providing CoMC
• Evaluating CoMC
• Planning for CoMC Sustainability

Available in Semester 2

Perinatal mental health issues are common, with around 1 in 5 women experiencing an issue either during pregnancy or after birth. Prompt and effective treatment minimises the risk for the mother and improves outcomes for mother and family unit. This module is designed for any health care professional that interacts with pregnant women, mothers and their families during the perinatal period*.

It will cover the prediction, detection, treatment and management of maternal mental ill health through the multi-disciplinary/agency service models currently in operation in alignment with the NI Perinatal Mental Health Pathway. Both emergent and pre-existing mental health issues on the perinatal mental health spectrum will be explored with the aim of developing critical knowledge and understanding. The implications of mental illness during the perinatal period for women, infants and their families will also be included. The module will draw on the teaching expertise of both mental health nursing professionals and midwifery staff within the School and external clinical expertise as appropriate. 

*For the purposes of this module, perinatal is defined as pregnancy and postnatal period up to 12 months following birth.

Available in Semester 2

Over the last decade there has been an increase in the number of women with either existing co-morbidities or increased complexity in the childbearing years (Knight et al., 2021).  As a result, midwives need to have additional knowledge and skills to enable them to identify the need for and to contribute to the interprofessional provision of maternal critical care. This module reflects current evidence and practicums related to maternal critical care within a maternity care setting. As students progress through this module, they will be challenged to source and apply the underpinning evidence for critical care. Applicants should be NMC Registered Midwives with a minimum of one year of intrapartum experience in a Labour Ward setting within a HSC Trust.