Edinburgh Napier University / Southpoint Education International


BSc Nursing Studies ‘Top-up’ Degree

BSc Nursing Studies (Top-up)

Overview

At Edinburgh Napier University, we aim to be recognised as a University that is professional, ambitious, innovative and inclusive and the School of Health and Social Care aspires to provide you with an excellent, personalised student experience. In our dealings with you we will act with respect and integrity. We will create an environment to enable you to feel proud to be a student of the University, to feel confident and supported while being academically challenged to further and deepen your knowledge and skills. A wide consultation process was undertaken to ascertain feedback from all stakeholders (including current and former BSc Nursing Studies students, registered nurses, nurse managers, nurse educators, other healthcare personnel and patients) to enable the BSc Nursing Studies programme to be evaluated and revised to ensure it meets the needs of registered nurses working in contemporary healthcare practice.

This programme is designed specifically for registered nurses who wish to “top up” their academic qualifications to a BSc Nursing Studies award. The programme acknowledges the diversity of learning needs of professionals in the workplace, particularly those working in healthcare environments who are studying concurrently.

The BSc Nursing Studies curriculum aims to provide you with a programme of study that is relevant to contemporary nursing practice and will provide you with learning opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills to allow you to progress in your chosen sphere of nursing practice.

The programme is designed to provide a learning opportunity for registered nurses who hold either a diploma or a certificate in nursing to deepen their knowledge of evidence-based practice and develop a critical approach to integrated healthcare when they can effectively apply theory to their own nursing practice.

Modules (ALL COMPULSORY)

Trimester 1

(15 Weeks)

Trimester 2

(15 Weeks)

Trimester 3

(15 Weeks)

Module 1

20 Credits

Module 2

20 Credits

Module 3

20 Credits

Module 4

20 Credits

Module 5

20 Credits

Module 6

20 Credits

MODULE OVERVIEW

MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASE

In this module you will learn about the consequences that living with a chronic disease (or diseases) has on the individual, as
well as the impact on family, friends, and carers. You will focus your learning on a particular chronic disease that are health
priorities globally and local and national contexts. They are diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and cancer.

PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN OLDER PEOPLES’ HEALTH

This module will help you explore the theories of ageing from a physical, psychological, social and cultural aspect. Older people and health care will be contextualised from a local and world-wide perspective and include exploration of the value of nursing theories when assessing, planning and evaluating nursing care.

You will be encouraged to use health care related policies, legislation and strategies; both local and international, to examine the importance of individualised approaches to meeting the, often complex healthcare needs of older people within communities and globally – as well as examine the impact of the ageing population on health related services.

Global demographics will be discussed and the issues of the old, old-old and oldest old will be highlighted. Strategies promoting healthy ageing will be discussed in relation to all cohorts of older people and to centenarians.

Your focus of this module will be on well-being and health promotion with consideration to the delivery of care to older people with acute and long-standing ill-health issues e.g. long term conditions such as stroke, COPD and mental health issues such as depression, alcohol and drug misuse and dementia. Age stratification of the old will be discussed in light of the additional considerations needed for the care of the frail old.

The module will utilise a strengths based approach to working with cohorts of older people to maximise independence and promote self-care.
Case examples and vignettes will be used to increase your opportunities to apply theories and frameworks and to maximise synthesis.

HEALTHY LIVES

The themes of this module will be explored through a ‘virtual family’ which is based on the experiences of real service users and carers.

Factors influencing health: genetic inheritance; ageing process; sex; spirituality; psychological factors, e.g. personality; loss & bereavement; mental health and wellbeing; coping strategies – psychological & behavioural; environmental factors; cultural factors; nutrition; food groups; food labelling; exercise (effects of, and lack of); smoking and alcohol.

Public health: main issues and priorities: e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes, inactivity, sexual health, mental health, drug & alcohol use; screening programmes (e.g. breast, cervical and bowel cancer); resource allocation. Health in the media: what gets attention and why; evaluating the evidence.

Health assessment and promotion: assessing health and use of assessment tools (e.g. BMI, diabetes risk score, Framingham, JBS2, ASSIGN, Q-risk); stages of change model; communication skills (e.g. assessing values and attitudes, negotiating, empowering, motivating); support strategies and interprofessional working (e.g. smoking cessation, young people with type 2 diabetes, drugs and alcohol addiction).

ADVANCING PRACTICE THROUGH RESEARCH

This module will provide you with the opportunity to learn about the different types of evidence that may be used to inform clinical practice. Specifically, you will explore different approaches to undertaking the research process, research methods and will have the opportunity to develop your skills to critique research and its relevance to practice. You will learn how to interpret statistical analyses and qualitative data analysis. You will reflect on the ethical and professional implications of research and you will also consider factors which promote or hinder the implementation of evidence to practice. This will enable you to focus on dissemination and communication of evidence in practice. After completion of this module you will have the knowledge and skills to be able to understand the research process, appraise evidence and evaluate its appropriateness for implementation in your practice.

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE*

On this module you will explore the principles of the following topic areas that will be discussed in the context of your field of nursing: Clinical Leadership; Clinical Governance; Patient Safety, Change Management and Risk Management. You will also explore partnership and team working and the associated essential communications skills that support effective partnerships. Opportunities to consider the role of the nurse in relation to teaching & learning, inter-professional education, clinical support & supervision will be explored. Management style and leadership qualities that are effective in health and social care settings will be discussed and theoretical aspects applied and explored in the context of your field of practice.
*20-Credit Module Subject to approval

EXPLORING THE THEORY AND APPLICATION OF LAW AND ETHICAL REASONING IN NURSING PRACTICE

This module aims to support you to deliver competent, safe and professionally accountable, autonomous nursing practice by exploring everyday clinical situations that involve challenging ethical and legal issues. It will support you in upholding global Nursing Board’s Code for Nurses and Midwives by enhancing your knowledge and skills and extending your understanding of ethical theory and relevant legislation. You will consider the relevance of the law, specific healthcare legislation and ethical reasoning principles, values and behaviours to supporting professional nursing practice. You will explore potential challenges and opportunities of continuing to develop professional integrity, selfawareness and reflective practice in your nursing care.
You will explore the influence of healthcare legislation and application of ethical practice in relation to cultures, subcultures and the wider society. You will consider their impact on health and well-being, and explore mechanisms for supporting cultural sensitivity and diversity in all aspects of patient care in a way that reflects respect, compassion and dignity. This will be achieved by exploring specific examples of legislation, and examine the implications and impact that these may have on ethical healthcare practice. You will be encouraged to reflect on your personal ethical framework and values and how these may influence your approach to care for patients from a broad spectrum of social and cultural backgrounds. You will consider your role as patient advocate, as well as how your self-regulation, behaviour, knowledge, skills and understanding can help enhance and protect public safety.

Earn a world class BSc Nursing for under $5,000.

Learn more about our Virtual Learning Environment here

BSc Nursing Studies (Top-up)

Assessment
  • Assessments are completed and submitted through the secure learning environment. The schedule for assessments is published in advance. There are no formal exams – assessment is by end of unit quizzes and end of module assignments.
Duration
  • The programme consists of six modules i.e. 5 x 20 credits plus 1 x 40 credits. You can complete in a minimum of 15 months or a maximum of 3 years.
Admissions Criteria
  • You must be a practicing registered nurse and have an Associate Degree or equivalent. Those with higher qualifications may be exempt from 1 x 20 credit module.

 If you have any questions, please contact us on (1) 239 444 4399. We are here to help.


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