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NUR-40045 - Module Specification
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 17 December 2025

NUR-40045 - Critical Care Practice
Coordinator: Nicola Witton Tel: +44 1782 7 38166
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 556723

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This is an opportunity for nurses working in Critical Care to achieve a Qualification in Specialism (QIS). This is a a nationally recognised transferable award in Critical Care Nursing; at academic level 7 (National Standards for Adult Nurse Critical Care Education, (CC3N, 2023)).
This level of study will provide you with the appropriate underpinning knowledge and understanding to inform your practice in alignment with Step 2 and 3 of the National Competency Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (CC3N). Enabling the practitioner to demonstrate competent performance in all the activities specified without direct supervision based upon relevant evidence based knowledge, intuition and established practice.
This module must form part of a Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) in Critical Care which complies with the National Standards for Adult Nurse Critical Care Education. In order to complete the PGC the student will also need to undertake the related Clinical Practice module and a relevant research module.


Aims
The aim of the critical care module is to develop a systematic understanding of knowledge and develop a critical awareness of current problems and/ or new insights in their area of specialist practice, whilst developing analytical skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of critical care practice for patients and their families.
This module has been aligned to the National Standards for Adult Nurse Critical Care Education (Critical Care Nurse Education, (CC3N), 2023).

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically review pertinent literature to advance their knowledge, understanding, developing evidence base and research skills: 2
critically evaluate their practice through enquiry: 2
demonstrate self direction and originality in problem-solving and the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of critical care techniques: 1
display a conceptual understanding that enables the student to critically evaluate current practice/ evidence and develop critique of the discipline: 2
explore and critically evaluate mechanisms associated with critical illness/injury including the normal and abnormal physiological, psychological and sociological aspects: 1
demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of critical care nursing and medical management, including an awareness of resource management, emergency and elective capacity and infection prevention: 2

Study hours

Active Learning: 100 hours using a blended approach of scheduled teaching and active learning activities (insitu and online) synchronous and asynchronous. This is inclusive of lectures, workshops, simulation (low-high fidelity), and web-based activities. This also includes the summative assessments (max 2 hours).
Independent study: 100 hours of independent learning hours where the student confirms and develops their understanding whilst relating the application of theory to clinical practice.
Placement Learning: 100 hours where the student applies their developing knowledge, skills and behaviour in clinical practice in preparation for and completion of the CC3N Step 2/3 competencies.


School Rules

The student will hold a professional registration with an appropriate body and with a minimum of 12 months current clinical experience in Critical Care.
Evidence of Level 6 study/ or recognition of clinical experience.
For sucessful completion of the Post-Graduate Certificate the student will also need to undertake the following: Clinical Practice (NUR:30163) and Research In Clinical Practice (NUR: 40120). In order to recognise RPL potential an equivalent research module may have been undertaken.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Problem Sheets weighted 40%
A series of short answer questions, requiring individual's to apply their skills and knowledge to arrive at the answer.
Short answer responses relating to several clinical cases will enable students to demonstrate their knowledge of pathophysiology and application of critical care nursing management in a range of clinical situations. This will be completed online and take up to 90 minutes in time.

2: Poster weighted 60%
Present an educational poster relating to a condition/management/therapeutic intervention
Following a discussion with the clinical supervisor/ local manager the student is to produce and present an educational poster relating to the management of a specific condition/ intervention. This will include the related anatomy and pathophysiology. This will be presented (15 minutes) to colleagues and/or clinical partners/ peers who will be part of the group to utilise the questions and answer to ensure theory is applied to practice. The questions and answer opportunity will last a maximum of twenty minutes.

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: 17 December 2025