Overview

This programme is of 9 months' duration, for nurses working within General Practice Nursing settings. The knowledge and skills acquired during the module are in line with and are underpinned by the RCGP framework, RCGP (2012) General Practice Nursing Competencies.

Fundamentals in General Practice Nursing will enable students to gain a 60-credit graduate certificate, on completion of the remaining two compulsory modules, Clinical Practice, which will assess the knowledge and skills acquired in this module within a general practice nurse setting, and Evidence-based Practice, which will underpin best practice supported by research.

Module aims

• Demonstrate knowledge and skills which underpin the role of the General Practice Nurse, in relation to a a nationally recognised framework
• Critically evaluate health needs of individuals and communities in a primary care setting, to improve health and well-being
• Examine principles of working in partnership with a range of professionals, organisations and agencies to optimise health care delivery
• Analyse professional values and organisational structures in relation to clinical-decision making, clinical effectiveness, and safe and innovative care delivery within a general practice nursing.

Entry requirements

This is a compulsory core module for students taking BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice (Fundamentals in Practice Nursing pathway).

Students should hold a professional registration with an appropriate body and be working within a general practice nursing setting.

Applicants must be new to practice nursing (within the first 12 months' of becoming a practice nurse).

Module content

The role of the Practice Nurse:

• Strategic overview of primary care within health and social care
• Communication
• Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
• Clinical Practice
• Evidence Based Practice
• Health & Well-Being
• Management of Emergency Situations
• Wound Management
• Health Promotion and lifestyle change
• Mental Health
• Sexual Health
• Dementia Friends
• Anxiety and Depression
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Law and Ethics in Healthcare
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Learning Disabilities
• Multi-Morbidity
• Anatomy Suite Visit

Management of Long-term conditions including:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular Disease

Optiona Skills Courses:

• Cervical Sampling
• Ear Care
• Travel Health
• Immunisation of children and adults

Teaching and assessment

The principal learning and teaching methods used in the module may include:

• Lectures, seminars and workshops: The core of each module delivery mode is a series of face to face tutor-led or group-led seminars or workshops.
• Web-based learning using the Keele Learning Environment (KLE), Blackboard.
• Group work and peer support. All modules use focused group work and class discussions within face to face tutor time.
• Directed independent study. Most of the study hours for each module comprise independent learning by expecting participants to add depth and breadth to their knowledge of topics, to practice skills and to reflect on critical incidents and their practice.