BSc (Hons) - Nursing/Registered Nurse: Adult Nursing

Year one

The first year of the BSc Adult Nursing Course is designed to introduce you to the concepts that underpin nursing practice. There are 6 academic modules this year in total, of equal academic weighting of 20 credits. The modules for year one of the nursing course are studied alongside students from all nursing fields except for one Field specific module. The aim is to introduce you to the concept of holistic healthcare and the importance of effective communication skills, professional and ethical practice, introduction to evidence led care and health and social care policy. The biological sciences module will be supported with practical clinical skills sessions in the simulated ward environment. You will also study principles of nursing practice applied to Adult Nursing. There are two Placement allocations in year one and these are assessed against the NMC proficiencies and it is mandatory that both these placements are achieved.

• Applied Biological Sciences for Health
  This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts of anatomy and physiology essential for clinical practice. You will explore key homeostatic mechanisms and the anatomical and physiological aspects of human body systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and more. The module emphasises how biological sciences underpin clinical decision-making and practice. Upon completion, you will be able to effectively describe body system regulation, identify anatomical structures, and demonstrate the application of biological knowledge in clinical settings, enhancing your capability to inform and support health-related decision-making.
• Professional Practice and Accountability
  You will explore the legal, ethical and professional principles essential for effective decision-making in health and social care. You will examine relevant legislation, ethical frameworks and the complexities of professional accountability. Key topics include legal duty of care, safeguarding and the role of professional regulatory bodies. By completing this module, you'll be equipped to apply legal and ethical standards to practice, navigate professional responsibilities, and uphold high standards of accountability and conduct within health and social care settings.
• Developing Evidence-Based Practice
  This module focuses on honing your skills for critically evaluating the evidence that underpins nursing practice. You will learn to identify and utilise a range of information sources, appreciate various research methodologies, and apply these to clinical practice. By the end of the module, you'll be able to integrate research into practice, promoting informed decision-making and enhancing professional practice.
• Introduction to Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  In this module, you will develop essential communication and interpersonal skills crucial for delivering culturally sensitive and compassionate nursing care. You will learn techniques for effective conversations, gather and convey sensitive information accurately, and enhance self-awareness in dynamic healthcare environments. By the end of the module, you'll be proficient in using communication strategies to build therapeutic relationships and manage interactions with empathy and professionalism.
• Concepts of Health and Social Policy
  You will examine the multifaceted determinants of health, including biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual factors, and their influence on wellbeing throughout life. You will explore holistic health concepts and apply principles of health promotion and prevention within diverse populations. The module also covers health policy, literacy and economics, offering insights into the social and political contexts of healthcare. By integrating these perspectives, you will develop the skills needed to promote person-centred care and address the complex needs of individuals across different cultural settings.
• Introduction to Adult Nursing
  This module introduces the essential principles of adult nursing practice, equipping you with the knowledge needed to perform holistic assessments, monitor health status, and identify changes in adults across their lifespan. By the end of the module, you will be able to apply anatomical and physiological concepts to nursing practice, evaluate current evidence and policies, and manage risks to ensure quality care. You will also develop skills in clinical assessment, documentation and end-of-life care, preparing you for effective, person-centred practice.

Year two

The second year of the programme has 6 academic modules of 20 credits each with 2 practice placements. Year two is designed to support your development of knowledge and skills that were delivered in year one. Within this year of study, you will examine principles of pharmacology and medicine management, care of people with long term conditions and chronic health care needs, primary and community care and gain experience of caring for people in their own homes along with assessing and managing the acutely ill person and emergency care. Development of communication skills are threaded throughout the curriculum and the year 2 module introduces the utilisation of therapeutic communication. Empathy towards patients and families is essential and the ‘lived experience module’ provides an insight into how individuals and families experience illness and healthcare.

• Pharmacology and Medicines Therapeutics
  This module equips you with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage medication within clinical practice. You will explore pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, understand drug safety and therapeutic monitoring, and apply these principles to diverse health conditions. By the end of the module, you'll be able to apply medicine therapeutics to patient care, ensure safe and effective medication management, and comply with relevant legislation and policies.
  
  
• Living with Long Term Conditions across the Lifespan
  You will gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes, presentations and management of long-term conditions throughout life. You will examine the pathogenesis of common disorders, explore relevant policy frameworks, and discuss the holistic management of conditions in partnership with patients and their families. By the end of the module, you'll be skilled in recognising and addressing deterioration in mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health, ensuring effective and empathetic care in diverse settings.
• Learning From the Lived Experience
  This module immerses you in the analysis of personal narratives to deepen your understanding of health and social care. By engaging with real-life accounts, you will critically examine how individual experiences reflect contemporary policies and care frameworks. You will develop skills in thematic analysis and reflect on how these narratives can shape your future practice and enhance interprofessional collaboration. By the end of the module, you will be skilled in integrating lived experiences into your professional approach, fostering a more empathetic and informed care practice.
• Communication and Relationship Management in a Therapeutic Context
  This module equips you with the skills to effectively manage communication and build therapeutic relationships within healthcare settings. You will critically evaluate different communication strategies, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy techniques, and apply them to enhance therapeutic interactions. By exploring theoretical concepts and evidence-based approaches, you'll learn to navigate complex communication scenarios, such as delivering difficult news and addressing distress. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to employ appropriate strategies to foster supportive relationships with individuals, families and multidisciplinary teams, ensuring professional and empathetic engagement in therapeutic contexts.
• Primary Care and Community Practice
  You will explore the comprehensive assessment and management of adults within primary and community care settings. You will learn to integrate knowledge of disease mechanisms and clinical presentations with care priorities, guided by national policies and evidence-based practices. The module covers a wide range of topics including chronic illness management, emergency care and end-of-life care. By the end of this module, you'll be skilled in managing various health conditions, applying person-centred care principles, and addressing the ethical and professional challenges in primary and community care contexts.
  
  
• Secondary and Tertiary Care
  On this module, you will learn more about the comprehensive assessment and management of adults within secondary and tertiary care settings, integrating knowledge of disease mechanisms and clinical presentations with the priorities of care specific to these settings. Key topics include acute care, trauma management, peri-operative priorities, and ethical and professional considerations. By the end of the module, you’ll be skilled in handling complex cases, applying clinical governance principles, and navigating the ethical and legal challenges in advanced care environments.

Year three

The final year of the BSc Adult Nursing Programme will prepare you for the transition to NMC registration. This year is made up of five academic modules (four at 20 credits and one at 40 credits) and two practice placements. The modules will focus on your leadership and management development, clinical decision making ability as well as utilising research and use of evidence. You will study a field specific module, relevant to adult nursing, that integrates and consolidates your prior learning from year one and two. This will develop your ability to undertake in-depth assessment and related clinical decision making in your field of practice, for patients requiring complex nursing care.

• Clinical Decision Making and Complex Care
  You will consolidate your professional competence in clinical decision making for managing complex care within contemporary health and social care settings. This module will enhance your understanding of providing integrated care across mental, cognitive, behavioural and physical health. You'll learn to synthesise knowledge for delivering safe, effective and person-centred care for individuals with co-morbidities and complex needs. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped with the skills necessary to address the challenges of pharmacology and prepare for a prescribing qualification following registration.
• Contemporary Issues and Change Management in Professional Practice
  This module enables you to critically examine evidence, synthesise it, and build a case for change in your area of practice. You will justify strategies for change with a critical understanding of theories, models and the psychology of change. Topics include literature search techniques, research methodologies, drivers for change, change theories, planning and implementing change, the role of change agents, and evaluation of clinical practice through audits and feedback from service users and staff.
• Public Health
  Explore and evaluate public health and social care agendas and their impacts on individuals, groups and communities. This module equips you to critically discuss health inequalities, analyse the roles of health professionals in public health, and develop skills in data interpretation to address community health needs. Key topics include health concepts, political influences, community empowerment, digital health technology, public health policies, disaster management, genomics, health metrics, and collaborative public health interventions.
• Leading and Managing Health and Social Care
  This module prepares you to work professionally within an organisation, enabling you to lead and manage care in a dynamic environment. You will explore organisational cultures, leadership and management models, emotional intelligence, communication and relationship-building. Key areas include coaching, supervision, risk assessment, clinical governance, learning from errors and performance management. This module also covers political awareness and the impact of organisational behaviour on care delivery.
• Consolidation of Adult Nursing Practice
  This module consolidates and advances your knowledge, skills and confidence in managing adult nursing practice across various settings. By the end of the module, you will be able to critically evaluate the role of the adult nurse in different practice environments, apply integrated knowledge to care for diverse patient groups, and demonstrate effective planning, problem-solving and prioritisation in holistic care provision. The module covers clinical skills, leadership, communication and patient safety, preparing you to manage complex scenarios and reflect on your emerging leadership skills.