LE7001 - Applied Life Science for Learning Disability Nursing

In the module, you will be engaged in a variety of learning and teaching approaches. The module will be delivered using a blend of ELP- Blackboard ultra and face-to-face practical sessions, underpinned by online learning resources. The focus of learning will be on the rehearsal of nursing skills to build knowledge and proficiency and assist with making links between theory and practice.

You will learn through a variety of methods, which will include practice learning, Online Support Learning (OSL), and simulated practice environments within the University. Learning will be supplemented by websites and training packages, which will include access to the Department’s specialist Skills4Practice website: https://www.s4pwebsite.com/.

You will be encouraged to work collaboratively with peers to build your knowledge and understanding and will be provided with the opportunity to link with fellow students in other fields of nursing. This introduces you to the task-work component of teamwork and reflects the realities of delivering effective care for people of all ages in the community and all healthcare settings. We work with a model of peer-learning (Learning Leaders) from previous cohorts who will share their experiences and advice, assisting you through year 1.

You will be supported by a module team of specialist nursing lecturers, who will provide ongoing guidance and feedback to ensure you are able to engage with concepts of safe nursing practice, the physical health, mental health and wellbeing status of people of all ages, and the academic rigour of the module.

You will also be supported via the modules’ Online Supported Learning (OSL) systems which compliment face-to-face teaching and more formal classroom arrangements.

Contact with the module team is available in person, via telephone, email and through Blackboard Ultra. Skills Plus (the university library’s collection of online learning materials) can be used to support the development of your academic skills. Further support for your learning is provided with a 24 hour IT Helpline and the student support and wellbeing service at Northumbria are excellent points of contact for assistance for queries regarding disability, faith, counselling, mental health support, finance and welfare issues. You can access these services via email on your student portal, by telephone or through the help desk staff based within university libraries.

You will also support each other via peer support, through engaging in discussion and debate to enhance your learning. Additional relevant materials will be available via BlackBoard Ultra. These will include the electronic reading list, PowerPoint presentations, recorded lectures and interactive learning packages. The university libraries at both Coach Lane Campus and City Campus offer an extensive collection of material, both hard copy and electronic, access to international databases and training in information retrieval.

All support will be in line with Disabled Student Services Report Recommendations (DSSR).

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse the fundamental principles and concepts underpinning effective communication skills and safe evidence-based person-centred nursing care.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Demonstrate critical understanding of the foundations of professional communication and assessment skills to assess people of all ages accurately.
3. Critically apply evidence based patient assessment skills and nursing interventions to assess people of all ages accurately and support them using safe and effective practice.
4. Demonstrate critical understanding of the principles of medicine management.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate professionalism, integrity and an ability to work within recognised professional standards.

Formative:
You will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on your clinical assessment and observation skills in preparation for your summative Observed Structured Clinical Assessment (OSCE).
(MLO’s 1-5)

Summative:
Summative assessment will be by an Observed Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), lasting 40 minutes in duration. Station 1: Recording vital observations. Station 2: Accurately reporting findings to escalate care.
Station 3. Assessment of underpinning knowledge of physiology and medication. (MLO’s 1-5)
Feedback will be facilitated using an assessment checklist.

None

None

The content of Applied Life Sciences will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in Annex A and B in ‘Future Nurse: standards of proficiency for registered nurse’ (NMC 2018). This skills-based module will initiate the development of your communication and nursing procedure skills, which are necessary for safe, effective, professional practice and give you the key skills for a successful career in nursing. Sessions will focus on a range of skills and nursing interventions that support your learning in practice. You will have the opportunities to participate in a variety of simulated education utilising a range of specialist technology including using human patient simulators within immersive interactive environments
As you progress through the module, you will learn how to critically reflect on your own performance and illustrate your development and growing confidence in your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA), demonstrating that you are capable of a high standard of competent, safe and independent nursing practice.

The content of Applied Life Sciences will be informed by the proficiency standards outlined in Annex A and B in ‘Future Nurse: standards of proficiency for registered nurse’ (NMC, 2018).

This module will introduce the concept of safe nursing practice, effective communication, medicine management, and the proficiencies of physical assessment. This module will be taught across the year aligned to your learning within LE7002 and LE7003 bringing together theory and practice to facilitate your development as a safe and effective practitioner. You will learn how to observe and assess people of all ages in terms of symptoms and signs of physical ill health. You will learn how to take, record and interpret a patient’s vital sign and use communication tools to support verbal and written reports. An introduction to basic medicine calculation and management will also be part of your learning. You will consider and develop fundamental nursing skills to act in a holistic, individualised, non-judgemental, and honest way, with integrity, and apply principles of The Code (NMC, 2018). Prior to your first placement, you will complete a number of mandatory requirements, which will enable you to practice with confidence and to protect your patients. These mandatory requirements will include moving and handling (M&H), basic life support (BLS), and de-escalation technique.

These skills and proficiencies will be supported by opportunities to participate in a variety of a blended approach of face-to-face practical sessions in simulated education taught by experts utilising a range of specialist technologies such as human patient simulators and immersive interactive environments underpinned by online learning resources contained within the BlackBoard Ultra site. These dynamic learning opportunities will support you to develop knowledge and help you gather evidence, which will inform your attainment of your Ongoing Record of Achievement (ORA).