Undergraduate study

Overview

• All four specialist fields of Nursing at degree level
• Academic and professional qualifications (BSc (Hons) & RN)
• Practice-based learning combined with academic study (50:50)
• Easily accessible placements (NHS and private/independent)
• Case-based approach gives rich opportunities for linking nursing theory and practice
• Student support for theory and practice
• Excellent skills laboratory facilities and experience
• At the time of writing there are no tuition fees but this may be subject to change dependent on future government policy changes. Information about financial support is available on our website
• Innovative opportunities to work alongside and learn together with students from within the School via Midwifery as well as students from other Schools like Medicine and Physiotherapy

Each Nursing course is a degree course combined with preparation for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Each year is composed of three terms to enable completion of theory and practice requirements.

This is a direct entry course leading to professional registration as a Registered Nurse (RN) together with the academic award of an Honours degree.

The aim of the programme is to enable graduates to be  caring, competent and accountable nurses who can apply knowledge and deliver a high standard of skilled, safe care in a variety of health and community care settings.

Course Content

The three-year Single Honours degree programmes lead to professional nursing registration (RN) in one of the four specialist fields of Nursing. The following fields of Nursing are available at Keele:

• Adult Nursing - Adult Nursing leaflet
  
• Mental Health Nursing - Mental Health Nursing leaflet
  
• Learning Disability Nursing - Learning Disability Nursing leaflet
  
• Children’s Nursing - Children's Nursing leaflet
  

The BSc (Hons) programme

The BSc (Hons) programme is designed to develop students into independent learners through a programme of study which utilises both generic and specialist themes. These core themes run through the three years and allow students to develop the requisite skills for both registration with the professional body and the attainment of an academic qualification. The programme will enable students to study their own specialist field of Nursing through the specialist themes and also  participate with other students in the study of generic themes to further develop their knowledge and skill base.

The programmes adopt a case-based approach to teaching and learning that ensures that service users are the focus of activities and encourages students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the delivery of safe and effective nursing care.

All modules integrate theory and practice elements and contribute towards students’ preparation for admission to the NMC Professional Register. (Nursing cannot be combined with the study of another Principal subject.)

The main aims of the degree programmes are to develop nurses who are caring, skilled, reflective, knowledgeable, analytical and accountable practitioners who have achieved the standards and competencies for entry to the Professional Register (NMC 2010).

Codes and Combinations

Health Foundation Year leading onto BSc (Hons) Nursing Programmes

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing with Health Foundation Year: B742
BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing with Health Foundation Year: B731
BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing with Health Foundation Year: B762
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing with Health Foundation Year: B763

These programmes are designed for students who wish to study nursing but lack the necessary background qualifications for direct entry onto the main degree programme. Successful completion of the Health Foundation Year leads on to an identified three-year BSc (Hons) programme (four years study in total).

Please note that tuition fees of £9,000 are payable for the Health Foundation Year.

All applications via UCAS www.ucas.com/apply

Teaching and Assessment

The majority of the taught sessions for the degree programmes will be held at the School of Nursing and Midwifery based at the Clinical Education Centre (CEC), University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent. The CEC incorporates a world-class Health Library that is shared with students within the Faculty of Health and clinical colleagues from local healthcare organisations.

A variety of teaching, learning and assessment strategies are integrated into the degree programmes to supplement case-based learning, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, presentations and group-work. Nursing lecturers from all branches within the School will facilitate these. Clinical nurse specialists and practitioners from local health care providers contribute to the delivery of the programmes as do service users and members from other disciplines. Students are given the opportunity to develop enhanced clinical skills such as venepuncture and cannulation during the programme which puts them in a strong position when seeking employment at the end of the course.

Students will be assessed on their theoretical knowledge (assessment of theory) and their practical ability (assessment of practice). Assessments are staggered across the year long modules with an equal emphasis placed on both elements of assessment.

 All assessments in each year long module must be successfully completed to allow progression through the programme and for entry to the Professional Register (NMC 2010).

Written assignments for modules in the third year will contribute to the Honours classification of the degree. The School has robust quality monitoring systems and has a track record of achieving good categories from the Nursing and Midwifery Council annual monitoring process.

Placements

Placements will be undertaken in a variety of hospital and community health care settings within local NHS Trusts and private organisations. Fifty per cent of course time will be spent focused on learning and assessment in placements working under the supervision of qualified nurses. Placements offer excellent opportunities for inter-professional learning with students from other health care disciplines such as Medicine and Physiotherapy. Placements are easily accessible and North Staffordshire has a good public transport network.

The development of essential clinical skills is an integral part of the degree programmes and students are supported in this through workshops within the Clinical Skills Laboratory as well as during placements.

Senior students on the course, who have made satisfactory progress, may wish to undertake an elective clinical placement at another hospital in the UK or explore opportunities for an international placement. In most circumstances students will have to self-fund the costs involved, although travel bursaries may be available for students to access, however the school is currently developing potential Erasmus opportunities which provide student funding.

The School of Nursing and Midwifery is currently arranging affiliation agreements with universities/ hospitals/health care areas with Australia, Canada, Sweden, Uganda, Tanzania, New Zealand and Turkey. Opportunities may also be available to undertake a clinical placement in another country with a recognised institution or charity.

Hospital campus

The Clinical Education Centre (CEC) based at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust site is a modern centre for the learning and teaching of clinical education. Both healthcare students and health professionals use this fantastic, state-of-the-art facility. The Health Library is a friendly, bright space in which to research and explore the study of healthcare.

Also with in the CEC is the Clinical Skills Laboratory, which provides a safe and realistic clinical environment in which clinical skills can be learned, practised and tested. This facility is staffed by enthusiastic, qualified staff, who are able to help students develop those essential skills that all nursing staff need to ensure good quality nursing care. The skills practised here range from simple observation skills through to more complex drug administration skills and procedures, such as venepuncture and cannulation.

Viewing of the CEC facilities is available on our open days. Please visit our website for up-to-date details of our Open Days held throughout the year www.keele.ac.uk/nursingandmidwifery/

Also based on this site is the Undergraduate Medical School that houses a modern, well-equipped lecture theatre that is used by Faculty of Health students.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

Nursing destinations for students who graduated in 2011

Of those who responded:

Want to work in?

Many students are excited by careers that utilise the academic knowledge and skills developed on their degree:

• Adult Nurse
• Mental Health Nurse
• Paediatric Nurse
• Health Visitor
• Learning Disability Nurse
• Paramedic
• Theatre Nurse
• Neonatal Nurse

What else?

For those who do not wish to pursue a career directly related to their degree, here are some career ideas to open up options:

• Social Work
• Police Officer
• Psychotherapist
• FE Lecturer

Visit our Careers pages (new window)

Nursing entry requirements

Candidates who are successful at the initial stage of selection will be required to satisfy Occupational Health clearances and a Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. Candidates who have concerns about any criminal convictions, cautions and/or reprimands, however dated they may be, are strongly advised to contact the School for guidance (01782 679600). All such information will be treated in strictest confidence.

The University follows the CRB Code of Practice in these issues (see www.crb.gov.uk) and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

Candidates need to provide two references that are satisfactory to the University.

Candidates must also provide evidence of minimum residency requirements and meet English language requirements.

Keele University School of Nursing and Midwifery
Clinical Education Centre
University Hospital of North Staffordshire
Newcastle Road
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire
ST4 6QG

Customer Services 01782 679600
Email: nursing@keele.ac.uk
www.keele.ac.uk/nursingandmidwifery/

All applications via UCAS www.ucas.com/apply