MSc Learning Disabilities Nursing (pre-registration) draft

Program Overview

---

This two-year MSc program prepares graduates for a career in Learning Disabilities Nursing. It provides the theoretical knowledge and care skills to provide holistic, person-centered care for people with learning disabilities. The program includes six placements, a research project, and a focus on developing nursing skills that reduce health inequalities and promote the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities.

Program Outline

---

Degree Overview

---

Overview:

This MSc course provides graduates from a range of backgrounds the opportunity to enter the nursing profession in two years. It aims to equip you with the theoretical knowledge and care skills to provide holistic, person-centered care for people with learning disabilities and the people who support them. The focus is on developing nursing skills that reduce health inequalities, maintain and promote the health of people with learning disabilities, and enable them to reach their potential.

---

Objectives:

• Provide eligibility for registration as a nurse upon successful completion of the two-year course (additional costs may apply).
• Equip students with the knowledge and skills to provide effective support for individuals with learning disabilities, including those with profound and multiple disabilities, within a range of settings.
• Enable students to apply a wide range of creative interventions to facilitate quality care in varying settings, allowing people with learning disabilities to experience valued and fulfilling lives across their lifespan.
• Develop students' skills in communication, comprehensive health assessment, equality and diversity, and issues related to professional practice.
• Prepare students for careers in learning disabilities nursing, forensic healthcare, community teams, respite care, secure service provision, autism services, and other relevant settings.

---

Outline

---

Content:

This course covers a broad range of topics related to Learning Disabilities Nursing, including:

• Additional physical and mental health needs in people with learning disabilities.
• Adapted therapeutic approaches.
• Forensic issues in the learning disabled population.
• Positive approaches to behavior management.
• Contemporary issues in Learning Disabilities Nursing.

---

Structure:

• The course is offered full-time over two years.
• Students will attend for a minimum of two and a half days each week during term time.
• Six placements are integrated throughout the two-year course, requiring students to work 40 hours per week while on placement.
• Each year consists of four modules: three 10-credit modules and one 20-credit module.

---

Individual Modules:

---

Year One:

• The Research Process and Evidence-Informed Nursing Practice (20 credits): Introduces the use of evidence in nursing and healthcare practice, preparing students for a research project in Year Two.
• Health Assessment in Nursing (10 credits): Focuses on identifying and assessing existing conditions in individuals with learning disabilities, equipping students to formulate person-centered care plans.
• Clinical Decision-making in Learning Disabilities Nursing (10 credits): Explores advanced decision-making strategies in the context of person-centered care, focusing on professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities.
• Therapeutic Interventions in Learning Disabilities Nursing (10 credits): Provides students with the skills to apply person-centered therapeutic interventions.
• Understanding Nursing Practice: Practice 1 (20 credits): Offers experience in the workplace, developing professional values and behaviors essential for safe and effective nursing.
• Assessment, Delivery and Evaluation: Practice 2 (10 credits): Continues development of professional values and behaviors in the workplace, with a focus on person-centered care.

---

Year Two:

• Coordinating Complex Care in Learning Disabilities Nursing (20 credits): Prepares students to coordinate and manage person-centered care in complex healthcare settings.
• Leading and Creating Organisational Health and Wellbeing (CMI module) (10 credits): Explores coaching, mentoring, leadership styles, and creating healthy organizational cultures.
• Ethical, Legal Decision-making in Nursing (10 credits): Covers the interrelationship between law, ethics, and healthcare practice in the UK, equipping students to handle ethical challenges and respect individuals' legal and ethical rights.
• Independent Project – Service Improvement (30 credits): Culminates the program with a self-directed project addressing workplace practice, policy implementation, initiatives, or innovations for service improvement.
• Complex Care Planning Across the Lifespan: Practice 3 (10 credits): Provides further opportunities to work independently in the workplace with less direct supervision, honing skills for autonomous practice.
• Coordinating Care and Becoming the Autonomous Practitioner: Practice 4 (20 credits): Prepares students for autonomous practice by demonstrating their capability to lead patient care and role model best practices.

---

Assessment

---

Assessment Methods:

• Critical appraisal essays
• Presentations
• Viva voce (oral examinations)
• OSCEs (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations)
• Reports
• Practice assessment
• Dissertation
• MyEPAD (Practice Assessment Document) and Personal Development Portfolio (PDP)

---

Assessment Criteria:

Aligned with the program objectives and learning outcomes of each module.

---

Teaching

---

Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Clinical simulation
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Tutorials
• Practical clinical work in a practice setting
• Work-based learning
• Online classes and tutorials

---

Teaching Staff:

The program is delivered by experienced faculty with expertise in Learning Disabilities Nursing, including registered nurses with specialist qualifications and experience.

---

Teaching Approach:

• Focuses on student engagement with relevant theory and understanding of module content.
• Encourages questioning and formulating ideas and perspectives on the subject material.
• Promotes independent study and self-directed learning.
• Utilizes technology and online resources in line with the University's innovative approach.

---

Careers

---

Potential Career Paths:

• Registered Learning Disability Nurse
• Forensic Nurse
• Community Nurse
• Respite Care Nurse
• Autism Nurse
• Other Learning Disabilities Nursing Specialties

---

Career Outcomes:

• Nearly 100% employability rate for Learning Disabilities Nurses
• Employment potential in various clinical and specialist areas within public and private healthcare settings
• Opportunity to work in international settings

---

Other

---

Additional Information:

• The university may seek to utilize emerging technologies within the student experience.
• The course delivery method may be adapted depending on government and public health guidance.
• Students will need to complete 460 practice hours in relevant health/care settings to meet the NMC standard of nursing education.
• There are additional costs not covered by tuition fees, such as those associated with securing, attending, or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
• Irish students studying with residency criteria can utilize the Tuition Fee Loan.
• EU students are eligible for a financial support bursary that brings tuition fees closer to UK student rates.
• The program can be a strong foundation for further career development or research within the Learning Disabilities nursing profession.

---

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees: Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

• Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

---

EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.