Program Overview

Nurse Independent Prescribing Practice Certificate

The Nurse Independent Prescribing Practice Certificate is a postgraduate, Level 7 short course designed to help registered nurses expand their clinical scope and meet CPD goals. This 45-credit course equips registered nurses to become independent and supplementary prescribers, building the clinical, professional, and leadership skills to deliver safe, effective prescribing in everyday practice.

Course Overview

The course is delivered in a blended learning format, combining online learning, in-person teaching, and clinical practice. It is designed to fit around a professional schedule, with six face-to-face study days at Aston University and ongoing weekly online learning.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for at least one year and be employed in a patient-facing role.
• Have written approval from their employer, line manager, and NMP lead.
• Secure a qualified Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor.
• Be prepared to identify a relevant area of prescribing practice.
• Have 1 year post registration experience
• Have a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor who has agreed to supervise the in-practice learning element.

Fees

The tuition fee for the course is Ł700 per ten credits, with the full 45-credit course costing Ł3150.00.

Delivery and Assessment

The course is delivered through a combination of:

• Interactive face-to-face teaching days at Aston University.
• Flexible, directed online learning via Blackboard, the virtual learning environment.
• 90 hours of supervised clinical practice with a Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP). Assessment is through a combination of practical and academic evaluations, including a reflective portfolio, clinical case presentation, pharmacology exam, numeracy test, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Career Prospects

The qualification opens new clinical pathways and leadership opportunities, with over 4,000 nurse prescriber job postings annually in the UK and a median salary of Ł46,000.

Designated Prescribing Practitioner (DPP) Information

The DPP must be a registered healthcare professional in Great Britain or Northern Ireland with legal independent prescribing rights, who is suitably experienced and qualified to carry out this supervisory role. The DPP is responsible for supervising the trainee's in-practice learning element and certifying their competence to practice as an independent prescriber.

Prerequisites for DPPs

To meet the criteria set by the GPhC and Aston University, DPPs must have:

• Active prescribing competence applicable to the area in which they will be supervising, with 3 years of recent prescribing experience.
• Appropriate patient-facing clinical and diagnostic skills.
• Experience supporting and supervising other healthcare professionals.
• The ability to assess patient-facing clinical and diagnostic skills.
• The ability to demonstrate they meet all the competencies within the RPS competence framework for prescribers.
• No more than two trainee prescribing students under their supervision at any one time.
• Support from their organisation to act in the role of the DPP.
• Completed or be willing to complete DPP welcome event training and Equality and Diversity training.

Self-Assessment Guide for DPPs

The self-assessment guide includes personal characteristics, professional skills and knowledge, teaching and training skills, working in partnership, prioritising patient care, and developing the role. DPPs should reflect on their ability to demonstrate clinical leadership, work in line with legal and regulatory standards, and engage with the employing organisation to ensure support and resources are available to undertake the DPP role.