Course Overview

With this course you will be able to develop a deeper understanding of your role and further your skills and expertise in your chosen area.

It will help enhance the development of your professional judgement, accountability and autonomy within the scope of the role, including an ethos of life-long learning and creative enquiry, to confront, challenge and shape the future of your professional practice.

Why study this subject?

This course is designed for experienced healthcare professionals from a variety of settings, looking to enhance their clinical knowledge and leadership skills at Level 7.

Normally a first degree will be required, however, if you are an experienced healthcare professional with evidence of recent successful study at Level 6 you may also be considered. You must have a background in healthcare and currently be working in clinical practice.

You must also need to be registered as a nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

This is a flexible programme of study which will suit experienced practitioners as well as those who registered more recently, and a number of students will have previous appropriate qualifications from Buckinghamshire New University.

What will I study?

The modules within this course focus on the following topics:

• Research
• Leadership
• Innovative clinical practice from a contemporary perspective
• Speciality clinical modules.

This will enable you to innovatively lead, direct and enhance clinical practice, whilst expanding the evidence base for your own area of practice. In order for you to deliver appropriate interventions aimed at the management of patients, the course structure will focus on the evidence for a range of assessment skills and therapeutic management strategies. You will also be able to synthesise contemporary initiatives in relation to current practice and service delivery to creatively provide a safe and effective service.

This course offers you:

• flexible study relevant to your current area of practice
• range of optional Level 7 theoretical and
• clinical modules
• opportunities to develop practice based projects
• skills in leadership and management in clinical practice settings.

You will be required to complete optional modules which total 90 credits as well as a core research module which will total 30 credits.

On completion of this course, you will gain 120 credits. You can top-up this qualification to a master's degree by taking the dissertation module which accounts for a further 60 credits.

How will I be taught and assessed?

A range of teaching strategies will be employed throughout the course, with each module assessed.

At BNU, we recognise roles in this field are hands-on – that’s why you’ll take part in simulated learning experiences using our specialised facilities dedicated to nursing at our Uxbridge campus.

What are my career prospects?

The enhanced skills of analysis that you will gain through this programme of study may lead to promotional opportunities either in the clinical area, or in the fields of education, management or research. You will have the opportunity to top-up this qualification to a master's degree. You will then be able to progress on to doctoral studies in your specific subject context, and the generic, transferable skills acquired throughout the programme may also open up employment opportunities outside these areas.