BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Program Overview

This Nursing (Adult) program blends theory with hands-on experience to prepare students for registration as registered nurses. Accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council, the course emphasizes compassionate care, interprofessional collaboration, and critical thinking. Students gain practical experience in diverse settings, including hospitals, community homes, and private clinics, and are supported by experienced nurses and healthcare practitioners.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Accredited by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), this course blends theory with real-world experience to help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to register and practice as a registered (adult) nurse.

Objectives:

• Develop into a compassionate, knowledgeable, competent and confident graduate nurse capable of delivering and leading high-quality, person-centred care in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
• Gain practical nursing experience in diverse locations like hospitals, community homes, private clinics and community nursing teams.
• Learn from experienced registered nurses and other healthcare practitioners.
• Learn and practice various nursing procedures safely in purpose-built skills facilities including simulated hospital wards and community home settings.
• Gain employment as a registered nurse on completion of the course.

Outline:

Foundation Year (Optional):

• Core Units:
• Academic Study Skills: Develop fundamental academic and research skills required for degree-level study.
• Applied Sciences: Gain a basic understanding of fundamental aspects of science underpinning specific disciplines.
• Introduction to Biology: Study plant and animal cell biology and key themes in human, environmental and ecological sciences.
• Introduction to Psychology: Gain an understanding of various areas of psychology and how they explain behavior.
• Mathematics in Science: Build confidence in mathematics to perform calculations on scientific data and represent findings in appropriate formats.
• Foundation Year Project: Conduct a scientific investigation and produce a literature review as a final scientific report.

Year 1:

• Core Units:
• Foundations for Professional Practice and Research: Develop skills to prepare for practice placements by exploring the importance of respectful, reflective, resilient, and person-centered professional practice.
• Nursing Theory and Application 1: Examine philosophical, historical, ethical, methodological, political, and legislative processes that inform nursing practice.
• Applied Health Care Science 1: Develop knowledge and understanding of biological, genetic, pharmacological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that promote health and wellbeing.
• Communication Skills for Nursing Practice: Develop effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with patients/service users and colleagues.
• Developing Skills for Promoting Health and Wellbeing: Gain the foundations of knowledge and skills required to facilitate health promotion for individuals, families, and communities.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 1: Develop skills and confidence in line with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) 2018 Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses.

Year 2:

• Core Units:
• Research for Professional Practice: Advance research and problem-solving skills to engage critically with evidence-based practice.
• Improving Safety and Quality of Care: Develop knowledge and understanding required to promote patient safety and engage in risk management in clinical practice.
• Nursing Theory & Application 2: Explore and analyze the impact of legal and ethical principles and values on healthcare.
• Applied Health Care Sciences 2: Analyze the impact of challenges to physical and mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
• Acute and Long Term Health Challenges: Develop knowledge and understanding of nursing management and coordination of healthcare for managing patients with acute and long-term health challenges.
• Clinical Pharmacology and Medicines Management: Apply understanding of clinical pharmacology and medicines management in the context of relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 2: Develop proficiency in line with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

Year 3:

• Core Units:
• Team Working for Service Improvement: Develop skills for working in inter-professional teams to design and develop service improvements.
• Clinical Leadership and Management: Prepare to lead and manage in the healthcare setting by evaluating management and leadership theories.
• Applied Health Care Sciences 3: Critically analyze biopsychosocial concepts that underpin complex health needs and challenges.
• Developing a Literature Review: Evaluate a specific area of interest relating to nursing and build on research and literature reviewing skills.
• Caring for People with Complex Health Care Needs: Develop clinical decision-making skills for undertaking nursing assessments and risk assessments.
• Nursing Practice and Nursing Skills 3: Demonstrate the ability to practice safely, responsibly, and professionally in accordance with the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses.

Assessment:

• Students will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge, including senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, and research students.
• The course incorporates interprofessional education, meaning students will participate in shared workshops, lectures, and learning events with students from other nursing courses and health-related courses within the faculty.
• Students will benefit from regular guest lectures from local healthcare services and workshops run by service users (patients and carers).

Careers:

• Upon graduation, students can apply for registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Potential career paths include:
• Registered Nurse (Adult)
• Lecturer or specialist practitioner
• Advanced nurse practitioner
• Consultant nurse
• Manager
• Academic lecturer
• 95% of students are in work or further study within fifteen months of finishing their course.

Other:

• The course is part of the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences' Nursing Framework, which also offers the BSc (Hons) Children and Young People's Nursing and BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing courses, all with advanced standing options.
• The course is designed to prepare students for practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community homes, private clinics, and community nursing teams.
• Students will gain experience of caring for clients in a variety of settings, such as elderly, medical, surgical, community, and critical care.
• The course emphasizes the importance of IT skills in the healthcare sector.
• Students will receive an introduction to IT at the beginning of the course and will be provided with computer access and their own email address.
• Students will be expected to use their IT skills to produce assignments, conduct literature searches, and use client-related record systems in the clinical setting.
• The course is built around the NHS constitution values, including working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives, and everyone counts.
• The course includes a Nursing Careers Fair with numerous exhibitors and employers in attendance to help students with their career journey.
• Students will be expected to work full-time hours and follow the shift pattern of their allocated Practice Supervisor during placements.
• Students will need to experience the full 24-hour/7-day-a-week shift pattern during the course, including weekend working and night duty.
• Students will be allocated a placement locality, but may be expected to change location for a portion of their placement time to ensure a range of experiences.
• The course includes practical skills suites that provide a safe environment for students to practice skills before going on placement.
• The course includes a range of facilities, including hospital wards and community home simulation suites, to mirror both clinical and community workplace settings.
• The course includes a purpose-built £48 million Bournemouth Gateway building that houses Health & Social Care courses.
• The course includes a library with a wide range of electronic resources, print and multimedia collections, subject librarians, and study spaces.
• The course includes access to Brightspace, a virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalized learning experience.
• The course includes IT labs, a wireless network, AV equipment to borrow, disability and additional learning support, the BU Language Centre, a 24-hour security team, and free software downloads.
• The course includes opportunities for students to study abroad.
• The course includes a SportBU membership.
• The course includes opportunities for students to undertake a MRes or PhD level research degree.
• The course includes opportunities for students to study a unit or course from the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio.
• The course includes scholarship opportunities.
• The course includes a government training grant of at least £5,000 a year for eligible UK nursing students.
• The course includes a parental support allowance of £2000, on top of the £1,000 already on offer.
• The course includes up to £1000 specialist subject payment for subjects such as mental health nursing.
• The course includes a regional incentive payment in areas of the country which have seen a decrease in people accepted on some nursing, midwifery, and allied health courses.
• The course includes a range of funding options, including scholarships, bursaries, and government grants.
• The course includes a range of opportunities for students to develop their skills and knowledge, including practical skills training, research opportunities, and professional development.
• The course includes a range of opportunities for students to engage with the wider healthcare community, including guest lectures, workshops, and networking events.