V100 Prescribing Practice - Professional/Short course
Program Overview
The V100 Prescribing Practice program equips nurses with the knowledge and skills to become qualified community prescribers. This 20-credit program, offered at either level 6 (BSc level) or level 7 (Masters level), delves into critical aspects of contemporary community prescribing practices aligned with NMC requirements. Graduates gain the credentials to register as community nurse prescribers, opening doors to a range of fulfilling opportunities within various medical contexts.
Program Outline
Degree Overview: V100 Prescribing Practice
Level 6:
- Contributes towards BSc(Hons) Public Health and Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.
Level 7:
- Contributes towards PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing.
Objectives:
- Equip graduates with the ability to assess patients and consult appropriately.
- Develop skills in conducting comprehensive medication history taking and interpreting current medications to inform diagnoses.
- Ensure understanding of relevant legislations governing nurse/midwife prescribing.
- Enhance critical thinking through appraising and utilizing various sources of information in prescribing practice.
- Foster an in-depth analysis of the various factors impacting prescribing and ethical management within one's prescribing practice.
- Integrate knowledge of pharmacology and its influence on prescribing decisions.
- Understand the diverse roles and collaborate efficiently with other parties involved in the medication supply chain.
- Enable safe, effective, and cost-conscious prescriptions.
- Instill a strong sense of professional accountability and responsibility in the context of nurse/midwife prescribing.
Outline: V100 Prescribing Practice
Content:
Modules:
This 20-credit program, offered at either level 6 (BSc level) or level 7 (Masters level), delves into critical aspects of contemporary community prescribing practices aligned with NMC requirements.
Module Breakdown:
- Consultation, decision-making, and therapies (including referrals)
- Influences on prescribing
- Psychology of prescribing
- Prescribing in a team-based setting
- Clinical pharmacology (co-morbidities included)
- Evidence-based practice and clinical governance for nurse prescribing
- Legal, policy, and ethical dimensions of prescribing
- Professional accountability and responsibility in public health prescribing context
Structure:
Delivery Mode:
Face-to-face learning blended with practice-based elements.
Overall Duration:
Approximately 6 months.
Learning Components:
- Placement Learning: Minimum of 65 hours spent gaining practical experience.
- Scheduled Learning: Around 40 hours encompassing various interactive sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials).
- Independent Learning: Approximately 95 hours of self-directed engagement with essential readings, exam preparation, portfolio completion, and assignment preparations.
Assessment: V100 Prescribing Practice
Methods:
- Portfolio demonstrating attainment of NMC-defined standards for community nurse prescribers.
- Multiple assessments within this portfolio include:
- Statement confirming practice competencies by a supervising registered prescriber.
- Learning agreement and action plans demonstrating engagement and growth.
- Certificate of passing a numeracy test set and evaluated by academics.
- Pharmacology knowledge assessment through multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions.
- Presentations showcasing safe and responsible prescribing decisions, including one accurately written prescription with relevant calculations and references.
- Ongoing feedback from supervisors during placements on practice-related aspects
Criteria:
Assessments evaluate learners on their ability to:
- Consult appropriately with patients/clients and their caretakers/parents.
- Conduct complete and proper medication assessments.
- Interpret and employ relevant laws and guidelines regarding nurse/midwife prescribing.
- Utilize pharmacology knowledge within the context of safe medication prescribing.
- Understand diverse roles, communication, and collaboration amongst professionals involved in prescribing processes.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct while carrying out community nurse prescriber responsibilities.
- Adapt strategies to accommodate the developmental and anatomical/physiological nuances of diverse patient demographics (including neonates, children, and young adults).
Teaching: V100 Prescribing Practice
Methods:
- Diverse approach encompassing face-to-face interactive sessions, individual guidance during clinical placements, and extensive independent studies.
Faculty:
Experienced academics and practicing registered community nurse prescribers deliver insightful sessions and provide individualized feedback, ensuring comprehensive guidance and development of clinical reasoning skills within a supportive learning environment.
Careers: V100 Prescribing Practice
Opportunities for graduates:
This qualification enables graduates to register as community nurse prescribers, opening up numerous career pathways within diverse healthcare settings:
- Hospitals
- Community clinics
- General medical practices
- Specialist services (including sexual health, asthma clinics, and diabetes services)
- Domiciliary care (visiting patients within their homes)
Potential Career Paths:
- Practice Nurse
- Nurse Specialist
- Community Staff Nurse
Program Specific Outcomes:
Upon completing this program, graduates gain the credentials to register as community nurse prescribers, opening doors to a range of fulfilling opportunities within various medical contexts.
