NUR-40099 - Module Specification
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, and medicines optimisation across the lifespan. You will explore how medicines are used safely and effectively in nursing practice, including the recognition of adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and the risks associated with polypharmacy.
You will develop an understanding of medicines management, prescribing processes, and the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities associated with the use of medicines within your field of nursing. The module also examines the role of local and national policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks in promoting patient safety and reducing medication-related harm.
Through the application of pharmacological principles to practice-based scenarios, you will develop skills in clinical decision-making, risk assessment, and the identification, management, and reporting of medication-related incidents. As a core component of the nursing programme, this module supports the development of the knowledge and confidence required for safe, effective, and evidence-based nursing practice and future professional registration.

To provide an understanding of the concepts of pharmacology relating to the principles of safe medicines management and assessment of medication needs, working within the multidisciplinary team.
To enable you critically explore principles of safety, quality improvement strategies and risk management.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Use best evidence to critically apply knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics across the lifespan, recognising potential adverse drug reactions and drug interactions; especially through polypharmacy, and how to deal with such events
: 1
Demonstrate safe medicines management including how prescriptions are generated, the role of generic and off licensed prescribing and the professional and legal consequences of generating prescriptions and medicines management, relating to their field of practice: 1
Critically evaluate and apply local and national frameworks, legislation and regulations to the process of assessing, managing and reporting risks.: 1
Critically reflect on near misses and reporting serious adverse events ensuring that appropriate action is taken to learn from them and influence future practice: 1

Study hours

Breakdown of active learning hours-
In situ- 12hrs/Synchronous- 9hrs (Lectures, discussion, seminars, tutorials, workshops, assessment preparation and simulation
Asynchronous- 5hrs (Guided independent study including preparation for scheduled sessions, follow up work)
Breakdown of independent study hours-

Independent study- 124hrs (Wider reading, revision, assessment preparation)

School Rules

Students need to have successfully completed RPL for part 1 of the MSc Nursing programme before commencing this module.

Description of Module Assessment