Module Specification

NUR-30171 - Independent Professional Practice Development

Coordinator: Susan Jackson

Lecture Time:

Level: Level 6

Credits: 30

Study Hours: 300

School Office: 01782 556723

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

Students undertaking this module would be barred from undertaking the following modules:
NUR-40022 IPPD 30 credits level 7
NUR-40128 IPPD 15 credits level 7
NUR-30239 IPPD 15 credits level 6

Description for 2026/27

This 30 credit, level 6, work based learning module provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate critical and creative thinking through their approach to developing specific learning outcomes and the achievement of these through practice-based initiatives.
This will have relevance to their own practice in order to enhance their own professional standing.
It enables the student to demonstrate their ability to make informed judgements about practice based issues and communicate ideas to their work-based learning facilitator, specialist and non-specialist fellow professionals.
Participation in the module will enable the student to develop leadership and ethical decision making skills. This facilitates collaborative working, reflective analysis, self-awareness and self-management skills appropriate for advancing roles within personal sphere of practice.
Evaluative reflection will be integral to this in determining further and future learning needs.
This is an approved elective for both the BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (multiple pathways) and the BSc Enhanced Clinical Practice Apprenticeship through work based learning. The module will be underpinned by the work-based learning philosophy, which will be incorporated as a stimulating and challenging approach to practice based learning.

Aims

The module enables students to plan, undertake and critically evaluate a practice based initiative, which may include achievement of practice based competencies, project work, literature review or extended audit and synthesise understanding from it.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/nur-30171/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Justify the selection of a work based learning initiative worthy of exploration in order to develop their own professional practice.: 1
Critically appraise current research and professional practice supported by clinical reasoning relevant to the focused initiative.: 1
Provide a reflective account of personal learning to identify future and further learning needs and professional development.: 1
Design, develop, implement and evaluate a personal learning plan in a chosen area of healthcare practice relevant to the student’s professional needs and interests.: 2

Study hours

A blended learning strategy comprised of:
10 hours - Synchronous online module and assessment launch.
50 hours - Work based learning undertaken within their work base in conjunction with a work based facilitator.
240 hours - Independent study and lecturer contact relating to the assessment task, which will be delivered via a blended approach of asynchronous and synchronous online learning.

School Rules

Students undertaking this module must hold current first level Professional Registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g. Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Access to an identified work-based facilitator within their practice area, who will support and guide them through the acquisition of the developed learning outcomes as appropriate to the programme agreed.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 80%
Assignment in a negotiated topic area related to the student's professional practice.
Assessment in a negotiated topic area related to the student’s professional practice provides a unique opportunity for an individual piece of reflective scholarship, underpinned by a range of evidence sourced which includes project work. Either Portfolio Development of a portfolio which will relate to the student’s professional activities reflecting on personal professional development, specific to their work environment. The assessment task will include the development of rationale for the specific learning objectives; an account of the professional practice based learning and reflective review of the process with consideration to future and further developments equivalent to 4000 words. OR Presentation Seminar presentation to be delivered to the cohort group. This will consist of a maximum number of 10 students and relevant teaching staff involved in this assessment. 20 minute presentation and up to 10 minutes questions / discussion. The presentation must include the development of rationale for the specific learning objectives; an account of the professional practice based learning and reflective review of the process with consideration to future and further developments. The presentation should provide an analysis of the different perspectives inherent within the topic area, with a requirement for students to ensure the evidence base and theoretical underpinning of their presentation is evident within the presentation. In addition, students will be required to answer questions from the markers and provide a 1000 word supportive paper.

2: Assignment weighted 20%
Personal Development Plan
Personal development action plan meeting professional needs. Approximately 500 words. A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is the result of a structured process undertaken by the student to reflect on personal learning and development needs and to plan how they can fill an identified learning gap. Personal and Professional Development Planning is part of being a ‘reflective practitioner’ and forms a fundamental part of regularly reviewing professional knowledge and skills to ensure professional practice is up to date and relevant.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 28 September 2026

NUR-30171 - Module Specification School of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

NUR-30171 - Module Specification
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences