Course description
Course description
The BNurs degree programme extends over three years. Students study the theoretical basis of nursing practice and a range of theories of human functioning drawn from behavioural, social and biological sciences.
The programme includes a foundation year that supports the three nursing specialties offered in the programme: adult nursing, mental health nursing and child nursing followed by two branch specific years. Emphasis is placed on the importance of competence in clinical nursing practice combined with in-depth knowledge and evidence-based decision making skills.
Clinical practice placements
The development and assessment of nursing competencies in clinical practice is a key feature and requirement of the programme. Throughout the programme students learn what it is like to work within the modern NHS, developing clinical knowledge, skills and confidence as key members of the professional healthcare team.
The School maintains excellent working relationships with local NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester, and students undertake a range of practice placements in both community and hospital settings. Clinical staff based within practice placements and academic staff from the School are available to support students with their studies whilst on placement and to assist and guide should any difficulties arise.
Students are required to follow shift patterns in clinical placement areas where they are working. This will include early shifts starting from 7.00am and late shifts, sometimes finishing at 9.30pm. Students are also required to work some weekends and some night duty during the 3 years. Annual leave entitlement is set in advance by the University and is non-negotiable. However, it does include time off over Christmas, New Year and Easter.
During clinical placements students are supervised by qualified health professionals and are allocated a named mentor. Their role is to support students in practice-based learning and to assess developing knowledge and skills against required competencies. In order to gain sufficient time in practice the programme is 38 weeks per year and extends beyond the normal university semesters.
The programme prepares students to practise effectively in a variety of professional adult nursing settings. This well-established programme has both a national and an international reputation for excellence and has produced many of the country's leading nurse practitioners, researchers, academics and policy-makers.
Special features
A sound clinical training combined with a high level of academic study will enable students to practise in a variety of professional adult nursing settings.
Module details
The programme combines an initial foundation year shared with students from all three branches available: adult, mental health or child nursing. There is also some shared learning with students from other disciplines such as social work and the professions allied to medicine. The final two years of the programme are branch specific and focus specifically on enabling students to develop in-depth knowledge and skills related to adult nursing by offering structured theory sessions, large-group lectures and activities alongside small group work activity, problem-based learning sessions and clinical placements. Elements of shared learning across all branches for some units continue throughout these two years.
As well as an academic qualification successful students also receive a Registered Nurse qualification that allows them to practice in a wide variety of Adult Nursing settings.
Course content for year 1
Foundation Year
The programme begins with a foundation year in which students from all branches (adult, mental health or child nursing) study together the theoretical basis for nursing, drawing on a range of theories from the behavioural, social and biological sciences. There is also some shared learning with students from other disciplines such as social work and the professions allied to medicine.
During this year students are provided with an introduction to the skills and theoretical knowledge needed to become a "safe practitioner" of nursing during placements in practice. Units of study focus on developing knowledge and skills related to academic writing, nursing research, evidence-based-practice and core communication skills. In order to develop an understanding of the biomedical basis for health and illness students study anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and microbiology (delivered in collaboration with the Faculty of Life Sciences). Psychosocial approaches to the experience of health and illness are also studied including human development across the lifespan, sociological aspects of health and illness and epidemiology and public health.
Practice placements in a range of community and hospital settings during this year enable students to apply and further develop knowledge and skills and gain some understanding of other branches of nursing.
Course content for year 2
Year 2 of the programme includes both Adult branch specific units and placements and some core units shared with students from other branches of nursing. The aim of the second year is equip students to reach the status of "Emerging Student Nurse Practitioner".
Adult branch specific units and placements enable students to develop knowledge and skills in nursing adults with continuing care needs in hospital as well as nursing adults in the community considering the Public Health and Primary Care needs of people in their own environments. Both these units have a significant theoretical and practice placement element. During this year students will undertake an elective unit with a focus on `specialist practice'. This may include a placement of the student's choice from a range of placements including (subject to appropriate arrangements being in place) other areas of the UK or abroad. Some of the teaching and learning for this unit is common to all branches providing an opportunity to understand how multi-disciplinary team work enhances care to adults with health problems in a range of settings.
Core units common to all branches
Core units in this year enable students to develop skills and knowledge that are integral to safe nursing practice which ever branch is chosen whilst still enabling branch specific application. These Units of study focus on the pathology of the major causes of mortality and morbidity affecting adults and families in the UK, pharmacology of the main drugs used to treat these conditions and common aspects of health psychology, behaviour change and nursing assessment.
Course content for year 3
Year 3 of the programme includes both Adult branch specific units and placements and some core units shared with students from other branches of nursing. The aim of the third year is to equip students to reach the status of "Effective Practitioner" preparing them for the transition to qualified nurse status.
Adult branch specific units and placements enable students to develop knowledge and skills in caring for acutely ill adults in the hospital environment and nursing adults who have life threatening or life limiting illnesses with palliative care needs.
Core units common to all branches
Core units in this year enable students to develop skills and knowledge that are integral to effective nursing practice whichever branch is chosen whilst still enabling branch specific application. These units of study focus on pharmacology and medication management, nursing assessment, and management and leadership. Students also undertake a dissertation unit which focuses on the application of nursing and health related research to practice. This involves a considerable piece of work which enables students to demonstrate the ability to study independently under supervision.
Accrediting organisations
The programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the UK regulator for nursing and midwifery professions. The primary purpose of the NMC is protection of the public. It does this through maintaining a register of all qualified nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses eligible to practise within the UK and by setti
ng national standards for their education, training and conduct.
Career opportunities
Graduates from the BNurs programme have taken up a wide variety of positions in nursing in the UK and overseas. Career prospects are excellent, with significant opportunities for further professional development and specialisation.
There are numerous employment opportunities available within NHS Trusts and other health-care settings for newly qualified staff. A UK registered nursing qualification is recognised in many countries around the world, and therefore provides potential opportunities for travel and work abroad.
