Advanced Practice (Taught)

The development of the Advanced Practitioner (AP) role is one of the ways the Government is modernising the National Health Service and reshaping the workforce to improve the quality of healthcare and meet the changing needs of the population. Advanced Practice is delivered by experienced, registered healthcare practitioners. The role characterised by a high degree of autonomy and decision making in a context of complexity and uncertainty, holding accountability for decisions made.

• This Centre for Advancing Practice accredited course consists of theoretical and clinically focused modules that enable you to meet the four pillars of professional practice – clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research. As well as associated core capabilities at the level of advanced practice articulated in HEE (2017) Multi-professional Framework for AP.

• The course provides theoretical and clinically focused education and training to support the expansion of practice and the development of new skills; specifically, clinical history taking, clinical examination skills and consultation skills.

• It offers you the opportunity to enhance your current knowledge and practice related to the four pillars of advanced practice and may lead to career progression into advanced level roles across all specialties of practice.

• You will be taught by a team of passionate academics who have a wealth of skills, expertise and professional credibility related to advanced clinical practice.

• You will be able to study specific routes to support your clinical practice, these include Primary Care, Critical Care, Emergency Care, Mental Health Care and Cancer Care.

Professional links and accreditation:
Association of Advanced Practice Educator - http://aape.org.uk/
Centre for Advancing Practice - https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/
International Council of Nurses Advanced Practice Network - https://www.aanp.org/

Year 1
Core modules:
Core Clinical Assessment, Skills and Decision-making for Advanced Practice
Fundamentals of Contemporary Advanced Practice

Year 2
One of the following:
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Cancer Care)
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Critical Care)
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Emergency Care)
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Mental Health Care)
Developing Advanced Practice in the Workplace (Primary Care)

Plus one of the following:
This is a compulsory module for all students who are able to register as an Independent Prescriber with their professional body.
Independent and Supplementary Prescribing

Professional groups unable to register as an Independent prescriber and students who are already qualified as an Independent prescriber will undertake a module from a list which may include:
Caring for children and young people
Electrocardiograph (ECG) Monitoring and Interpretation
Long Term Conditions Management (Diabetes, COPD, Long COVID and Frailty)
Managing Minor Injuries
Personal and Practice Development

Year 3
Core modules:
Advancing Clinical Practice Project
Advanced Practice Portfolio of Evidence

Learning and teaching are delivered through lectures, group work, practical/simulation teaching, and on-line workbooks. Student-centred learning is used where appropriate with peer review and support an integral part of the learning process.

In relation todeveloping your research skills and knowledge, you will produce a dissertation in the final module of the course. You will be supported by a supervisor allocated to you at the beginning of the dissertation module (this may utilise a group supervision model).

The taught modules are designed to develop your current level of knowledge and skills, promote and embed transferable skills and enable you to progressively increase your knowledge, skills and confidence in each of the pillars of advanced clinical practice.

All modules are supported by the University’s virtual learning environment, Brightspace. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria relevant to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• International Council of Nurses Advanced Practice Network
• Association of Advanced Practice Educator