Principles of Nursing Practice for Acutely Ill Children (BARTS/LSBU Partnership) (Level 6)

Program Overview

Through comprehensive education in anatomy, physiology, and critical conditions, nurses develop skills in equipment use, emergency medication, and crisis management. The program supports career advancement in high dependency units within the North Thames Paediatric Network region, adhering to RCPCH and Healthy London Partnership standards.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program, titled "Principles of Nursing Practice for Acutely Ill Children (BARTS/LSBU Partnership) (Level 6)," is designed for nursing staff working in level 1 & 2 PCCU ward settings, ambulatory care, and A&E. The program aims to develop the local paediatric workforce, enabling the prompt and accurate assessment of the critically ill child.

Objectives:

• Develop the skills set and knowledge base required for children’s nurses to systematically assess, recognize, and initiate stabilization/treatment of the critically ill child in the level 1 & 2 setting.
• Encourage students’ reflective practice, evaluation of care, critical thinking, and effective crisis resource management skills.
• Develop a knowledge base regarding anatomy and physiology, aetiology, and pathophysiology of some of the most common critical conditions seen in the level 1 & 2 setting.
• Develop skills and knowledge required for stabilizing a critically ill child (equipment use and the pharmacology of emergency medication).
• Explore and examine the escalation and roles and responsibilities of other team members and that of the learner when managing a critically ill child in the level 1 & 2 setting.

Program Description:

The program focuses on providing nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively care for critically ill children in a high dependency setting. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Respiratory failure
• Altered cardiac function
• Fluid and/or metabolic compromise
• Neurological compromise and trauma
• Care of the sick new-born baby, child, and young person
• Stabilisation and transfer of the critically ill child or young person
• Multi-disciplinary team working & Crisis Resource management

Assessment:

• Formative Assignment: 15-minute group presentation
• Summative Assignment: 3000-word reflective essay
• Pass Mark: 40%
• Weighting: 100%

Careers:

• The program aims to support career progression within the high dependency arena.

Other:

• The program is a partnership module between LSBU and BARTS Health NHS Trust.
• The program is available as a standalone module.
• The program is only available for applicants within the North Thames Paediatric Network region.
• The program requires applicants to be a Qualified Nurse in continuous clinical practice within a Paediatric setting for at least 12 months and have completed the MAIPP course or equivalent.
• The program's competencies are based on guidance from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the RCPCH Children’s Critical Care Passport (Time to Move On, 2015), as well as the Healthy London Partnership CYP programme: paediatric critical care (Level 1 & 2) Standards.