Stand Alone Module

Independent and Supplementary Nurse Prescribing

60 Credits

Duration:: Five months
Start Dates:: September and February.
Attendance:: Twenty six study days plus twelve days supervised practice. There are 3 x1 week blocks then weekly sessions.
Venue:: Uxbridge Campus
Cost:: On application

Key Contact:: The Enquiries Team
Tel:: 01494 603 171
Email:: ask@bucks.ac.uk

Is this course suitable for me?

This course consists of 2×30 credit modules and can be studied at either degree or masters level. It is aimed at all suitably qualified nurses working in advanced practice roles where prescribing would enhance patient care. Successful candidates would be awarded a graduate certificate at degree level or a postgraduate certificate at masters level

Overview

The course provides the learner with knowledge and skills to be a competent nurse prescriber and reflects the Standards of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2006).

The education programme is to prepare nurses and specialist community public health nurses to prescribe safely, competently and cost effectively as an independent and supplementary prescriber.

Content

You will study the following elements

Brief Overview of Health Assessment & Clinical Decision-making,
Consultation,
Decision-making and Therapy including Referral;
Influences on and Psychology of Prescribing;
Prescribing in a Team Context;
Clinical Pharmacology including the Effects of Co-morbidity;
Evidence based Practice and Clinical Governance in relation to Nurse Prescribing; Legal, Policy and Ethical Aspects;
Professional Accountability and Responsibility;
Prescribing in the Public Health Context, with opportunities for practice and development of clinical management plans.

It is necessary that you are sponsored by your manager and given an adequate level of contact for this to be achieved. In addition it is normal for your Trust to provide you with a suitably qualified Designated Medical Practitioner as a mentor to work with the course team in supporting your learning in practice and assessment. You must provide evidence of meeting the NMC’s criteria for eligibility to undertake an Independent Nurse Prescribing programme.

What will I learn?

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

Demonstrate effective consultation/assessment skills with patients, clients, parents and carers for effective clinical decision-making in prescribing practice
Undertake a thorough history, including medication history, current medication including over the counter alternative and complimentary health therapies to inform diagnosis.
Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively understanding the legislation relevant to the practice of nurse prescribing.
Practise within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility in relation to nurse prescribing
Critically appraise and use sources of information, advice and decision support for prescribing practice, taking into account evidence-based practice and national/local guidelines.
Recognise and critically discuss the ethical management of the influences on prescribing practice at individual, local and national levels.
Critically discuss and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice
Demonstrate effective partnership working with patients and the wider care team, through the understanding of the roles and relationships of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines.
Develop and document a clinical management plan within the context of a prescribing partnership and legislative requirements
Demonstrate appropriate history taking skills, undertake a clinical assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis having considered the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults.

Teaching and learning

A variety of teaching and learning strategies will be adopted to meet the needs of students with different levels of experience. Approaches will include lectures, seminars, enquiry-based learning, action learning and critical reflection on student experience. Student development on the course will be assessed by written and practical assessments specific to the module and assessment of competence in clinical practice. Students will be supported at each level through academic tutorial sessions

Entry requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of meeting the NMC’s (2006) criteria for eligibility to undertake an Independent/Supplementary Nurse Prescribing programme. You are requested to:

a) be a registered nurse and/or specialist community public health nurse
b) have 3 years experience as a practising nurse or specialist community public health nurse and be deemed competent by your employer to undertake the programme.
c) have been working for one year immediately preceding application in the clinical area and field in which you intend to prescribe e.g. neonates, mental health
d) have written confirmation of support to undertake the preparation programme by your employer. This must include confirmation that you will have appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area in which you are expected to prescribe and that there is an identified service need for the extension of your role
e) Provide evidence of your ability to study at degree level. (APEL procedures are available)
f) Provide evidence of an up to date Criminal Records Bureau check

Eligibility criteria for designated medical practitioners can be found on the NMC website in ‘Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers’ annexe 3

How to make an application

Please contact the Enquiries Team on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk

We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.

Student Recruitment Officer

Bucks New University

106 Oxford Road

Uxbridge

UB8 1NA

If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.

Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.