Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (Child) MSc

Program Overview

This apprenticeship program prepares students to become Registered Nurses for Children through a "training in practice" approach, combining 50% clinical practice with 50% university studies. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to care for children, young people, and families in diverse healthcare settings. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for NMC registration and a rewarding career in child healthcare.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This apprenticeship course is designed to provide the opportunity to study whilst being employed in child healthcare services. The program aims to equip students with the vital skills, values, and confidence needed to care for children, young people, and their families in various circumstances, including those with acute illness, long-term conditions, or those who need help to maintain their health. The program emphasizes a training in practice approach, where students remain employed by their host organization while studying. They are supernumerary students for the duration of the course, meaning they do not work for their employer but split their time 50% in clinical practice and 50% at the University.

Outline:

Year 1 Core Modules:

• Becoming a professional - Child Nursing: This module explores the development of a professional child nurse, examining personal and professional attitudes and beliefs, and relating them to the future role.
It covers developing as a learner, maintaining physical and mental health, promoting and supporting children and young people's health, managing the transition to university, and exploring ethical and professional codes underpinning child and young people nursing.
• Developing critical knowledge and skills in Child Nursing: Building on the previous module, this module expands assessment skills and applies them to more complex neonate, child, and young person care encounters.
• Developing research knowledge and evidence for Child Nursing practice: This module introduces research study design, including literature reviews and empirical studies.
Students develop knowledge and skills of research methods and design, preparing them to undertake a child nursing-related study in year 2. It covers research ethics, data collection, analysis, and research approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies, systematic literature reviews, systematic reviews, and audits.
• Introduction to Child Nursing: This module provides fundamental knowledge and skills for a critical understanding of child nursing theory and practice.
It assists in providing effective person-centered support to individuals with physical, mental, and cognitive needs, focusing on children and young people. Students integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology with psychology, sociology, and other relevant disciplines to explore factors impacting health across the lifespan. They also develop skills in systematic assessments, interventions, medicines administration, and pharmacology.
• Nursing Practice 1: This is the first practice module, where students are placed in clinical areas to undertake clinical practice and practice assessments.
They develop fundamental nursing practice skills, including personal hygiene, infection control, observations, holistic patient assessments, and care. They complete a practice learning experience, applying theory to practice. They develop transferable skills, including literature searching, critical appraisal of evidence, and application of evidence to their own and others' nursing practice.

Year 2 Core Modules:

• Developing as a professional: Building on the "Becoming a Professional" module from year one, this module develops professional and transferable knowledge and skills required to become a Registered Nurse.
It covers professional, legal, and ethical knowledge and frameworks, their role in clinical decision-making, effective team working, leadership, and management skills to positively influence care delivery, decisions, and management for patients.
• Nursing Practice 2: This module further develops nursing practice skills, including cannulation and phlebotomy.
Students complete a practice learning experience, applying theory to practice.
• Being a professional: This module builds on professionally themed modules from year one and consolidates preparation for becoming a qualified nurse.
Students develop future nurse leader skills to positively influence care beyond the organization to a national and global level. They also develop skills in promoting quality care and service improvements across and beyond the organization. The module prepares them to undertake the role of teacher to individuals and groups, as well as the role of practice supervisor for future nurses.
• Enhancing knowledge and skills in Child Nursing: This module builds on knowledge and skills developed in year one.
Students expand their assessment skills and apply them under minimum supervision while managing and coordinating the care of neonates, children, and young people with a range of conditions in various settings. The module also assists in developing skills in advanced care management and complex discharge or transfer planning.
• Nursing Practice 3: This module provides the opportunity to gain fundamental nursing practice skills, including intravenous medicines administration.
Students complete a practice learning experience, applying theory to practice.
• Using evidence and research to enhance Child Nursing practice: This module builds on the evidence and research modules from year 1, enabling students to systematically undertake a literature review or a small-scale research project based on the research proposal developed in "Developing Research Knowledge and Evidence for Child Nursing Practice."
Students develop a detailed literature review report or research study report using various approaches, including qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, audit, or a systematic review of literature within the child nursing field. They are also involved in data collection and analysis.

Assessment:

Assessment methods on the course are varied and involve a combination of coursework, practice/proficiency-based learning, reports, presentations, and examinations. The nature of the assessment varies from module to module and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field, such as the ability to present to a range of audiences and provide reports to enhance the quality of care. Students are assessed while on placement through a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

Teaching:

Teaching on this course is delivered through seminars, lectures, group work, simulation, and practical skills experiences. The modules have been designed to embed transferable skills and enable students to progressively develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviors in line with the program and apprenticeship standards. Studies are also supported by the University's virtual learning environment.

Other:

• The course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Students are not required to register as a member with the NMC while studying but must follow their codes of conduct.
• The University of Huddersfield offers a wide range of support services to students, including a Student Hub, Academic Skills Development Team, and Learning Technology Support Unit.
• The course is funded by the employer through the Apprenticeship Levy.
• The University may make changes to the course curriculum or services if necessary, and students will be notified of any major changes.
• Students must remain in relevant employment for the duration of the course until they have completed their end-point assessment.
• If a student is made redundant and has completed 75% of the practical period or has less than 6 months left, they may complete the course.
Otherwise, they will be withdrawn from the course unless they find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date they are made redundant.