About the course

If you're a highly motivated graduate with care experience who wishes to become a registered children’s nurse and gain an MSc in an accelerated two year timeframe, the MSc Nursing graduate entry programme is perfect for you.  

The MSc Nursing programme reflects the changing delivery of health care, whereby services are designed around the needs of children, young people, and their families, with services focussing on the whole child not just their illness. Children and young people receive nursing care in a range of settings including home, school and hospital and therefore the programme will provide students with a wide range of practice placements, in order to understand the healthcare experience of children and young people in different settings.

The programme builds your academic skill sets, professional responsibility and technical complexity related to patient care throughout the two years. Successful completion of this innovative programme will ensure you will meet the registration requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The programme meets the NMC standards for pre-registration nursing education. The NMC (2018a) reviewed their standards with the publication of ‘Future Nurse: Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses’ and this programme reflects the comprehensive range of subject knowledge, clinical skills and leadership required of the registered Nurse from September 2020. This programme also meets the requirements of the Higher Education (HE) quality standards. Quality Academic Assurance Standards (QAA) are also met through the Frameworks for HE qualifications of UK degree-awarding bodies (QAA, 2014), and the Higher Education Credit Framework for England (QAA, 2008).  

The Keele ‘Future Nurse’ MSc Nursing programme has been designed to meet the seven NMC platforms, which underpin pre-registration nursing education (NMC, 2018a). These require you, regardless of your chosen field, to demonstrate core knowledge, skills, standards, behaviours to meet people’s needs, as well as field-specific knowledge and skills as required in either adult, children’s, learning disability or mental health nursing.  Two NMC annexes (A and B) detail extensive communication skills and clinical procedures, which are also included in the programme:

• Platform 1:      Being an accountable professional.
• Platform 2:      Promoting health and preventing ill-health.
• Platform 3:      Assessing needs and planning care.
• Platform 4:     Providing and evaluating care.
• Platform 5:     Leading and managing nursing care and working in teams.
• Platform 6:     Improving safety and quality of care.
• Platform 7:      Coordinating care.
• Annexe A:       Communication and relationship management skills.
• Annexe B:       Nursing Procedures.

We aim to facilitate your development to become one of the best post-graduate nurses in the country. To achieve this you will develop a skill set which includes:

• Deliver safe, competent, evidence-based nursing practice
• Adopting professional values, attitudes and behaviours
• Developing your interpersonal skills
• Effective team-working
• Improving management and leadership skills
• Demonstrate competence in research and be able to successfully manage a project

Course structure

HOW THE COURSE IS TAUGHT:

The course structure ensures you study a range of modules that are highly relevant to children’s nursing. During your two year programme you will study 10 core modules.

The programme is divided between theoretical learning and practice learning modules, underpinned by the NMC Standards (NMC, 2018a). You will be assessed in all theory and practice modules and this will contribute towards you overall degree classification. Your programme will be split 50% theory and 50% practice to allow you to achieve the 2,300 theory hours and 2,300 practice hours for the course  (inclusive of the RPL). You will undertake 90-credits of compulsory modules for each year for the duration of the two-year programme and all modules will be assessed at level 7. We have adopted the HEE Maximising Leadership Learning in the Pre-Registration Healthcare Curricula strategy (2018) and our curriculum threads- Focus on self, Working with others and Improving.

In your first year you build and expand on the fundamentals of nursing practice including essential care and learn how to work in a professional setting. You also explore the concepts of nursing care in context, health promotion, pharmacology and develop a research plan for your dissertation.

In your second year you build on your experience and develop your skills in caring for patients with higher acuity requirements using clinical reasoning skills. You will develop leadership skills in practice, take on more responsibility and leadership in preparation for your professional transition from student nurse to registered professional.  You will be prepared to manage complex nursing care to enhance the safety and quality of the patient experience. You will complete your dissertation project demonstrating the detailed application and findings of your study.

The list of modules below are offered in the 2020/21 academic year. We expect to offer the same modules in the future but this may change due to staff availability. If the modules change we will inform you during the admissions process.

How the course is taught

The programme is divided between theoretical learning and practice learning modules, underpinned by the NMC Standards (NMC, 2018a). You will be assessed in all theory and practice modules and this will contribute towards your overall degree classification. Your programme will be split 50% theory and 50% practice to allow you to achieve the 2,300 theory hours and 2,300 practice hours for the course  (inclusive of the RPL). You will undertake 90-credits of compulsory modules for each year for the duration of the two-year programme and all modules will be assessed at level 7. We have adopted the HEE Maximising Leadership Learning in the Pre-Registration Healthcare Curricula strategy (2018) and our curriculum threads- Focus on self, Working with others and Improving healthcare, into each year of the programme and is aligned to the Module.

In your first year, you build and expand on the fundamentals of nursing practice including essential care and learn how to work in a professional setting. You also explore the concepts of nursing care in context, health promotion, pharmacology and develop a research plan for your dissertation.

In your second year, you build on your experience and develop your skills in caring for patients with higher acuity requirements using clinical reasoning skills. You will develop leadership skills in practice, take on more responsibility and leadership in preparation for your professional transition from student nurse to registered professional.  You will be prepared to manage complex nursing care to enhance the safety and quality of the patient experience. You will complete your dissertation project demonstrating the detailed application and findings of your study.

Taught modules:

Year 2 (Level 7)

How you'll be assessed

The programme utilises an enquiry-based learning approach which builds on your existing skills for learning and is underpinned by a student centred philosophy. It also encompasses shared learning with other disciplines and professions, developing your clinical leadership skills and preparing you for practice.

As with all our courses, you can expect to experience a stimulating blend of learning activities, from practice learning, simulation, problem based learning, tutorials, lectures and clinical skills workshops through to innovative web-based activities and inter-professional learning.

Each module will encourage you to demonstrate deep learning that includes subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills. Service user involvement in the programme will ensure that the concept of person-centeredness is explicit.

We have a wide variety of innovative assessments that will develop and enhance your graduate skill set. These may include report writing, simulated activities, an MCQ exam, case studies, presentations, reflective writing, developing a research proposal, and undertaking a Masters dissertation.

Entry Requirements

Academic entry requirements

The MSc Children’s Nursing programme recognises that prior learning and experience is integral to the student’s learning.

Academic entry requirements:

• A first honours degree (normally 2:2 or above) in any subject
• English Language and Maths GCSE at grade A* - C (discuss with admissions team if you have equivalent qualifications)
• We welcome applications from international students. You can find more information on studying at Keele as an international student, here.
• Any overseas qualifications should be equivalent to UK qualifications which meet our entry requirements. If you have completed your degree outside the UK, we will require a clear copy of your degree documentation to ensure NARIC comparability.  Please note that all applicants who are invited to interview will be required to present their original degree documentation.  
• If English is not your first language, IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0, including least 6.5 in the writing section and at least 7.0 in the reading, listening and speaking sections. The University may be able to accept alternative English Language qualifications from applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) on a case by case basis in line with the appropriate Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) guidelines.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 770 hours paid healthcare experience (approximately six months full-time work). 
• Please note that you will be required to have obtained the academic entry requirements before applying.

If you do not have all the advertised entry requirements please contact us to discuss your graduate studies and care experience on an individual basis at nursing.admissions@keele.ac.uk

Additional entry requirements:

• All applicants are required to make a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) claim to demonstrate how their previous care experience and graduate studies have equipped them to undertake an accelerated nursing programme.  RPL to the MSc nursing programme will be 770 hours practice and 770 hours theory = 1540 hours
  
  Applicants are required to provide a portfolio of evidence and to confirm the relevance of your theoretical knowledge and practice experience, applicants are required to map their evidence to the programme learning outcomes, NMC Platform Proficiencies.
  
  An opportunity to attend a workshop and documentation will be provided to support this process following successful interview.
  
  
• All applicants must be of good health and good character.
  
  
• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required for all applicants whom are successful at interview.
  
  

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English. 

Funding

Travel for placements

A student’s geographical location, when possible, is taken into account when allocating to clinical placements and, whilst efforts are made to limit student travel, it is not possible to guarantee that placements will be in particular locations and students may be required to travel some distance for their placements. Clinical placements currently in use by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are within a 50 mile radius, most being 30 miles or less, from the university. Travel Expenses may be claimed in accordance with information from the NHS Learning Support Fund guidelines.

Uniform

Students may be required to purchase a set of tunics and trousers from our designated supplier to adhere to the School Uniform Policy. This may cost in the region of £60-80. You will need to provide your own appropriate footwear for placements as per the School Uniform Policy, and it is recommended that you purchase a fob watch.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Clearance

Subscription to the Disclosure and Barring update service is a requirement and currently costs £13 per year which students pay online at the start of each academic year. The initial DBS application cost is financed by the school.

Occupational Health Clearance

Students registering on the MSc Adult Nursing programme are required to have a health fitness report provided by the University’s Occupational Health Service. As part of this process you are required to complete a health questionnaire. You will be required to have the following immunisations if you have not already had them - Hepatitis B (x3), MMR (x2) and BCG. MMR vaccines are available free of charge at your GP surgery and we strongly advise you have these if needed and can provide documented evidence of vaccination. Appointments will be arranged for any outstanding vaccines once you have commenced your course. You may be required to make a contribution towards the Occupational Health and vaccination requirements of the programme.

ID Card

Placement providers may charge a fee for ID/security cards.

LIVING COSTS

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND FUNDING

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpages for more information. 

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Our expertise

All current teaching staff hold active NMC registration as either a nurse or midwife; those from other Schools who contribute to the programme are registered with the appropriate professional body. The majority of staff have recordable teaching qualifications or are working towards achievement of this. Moreover, they have extensive experience of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and many are external examiners at other universities. Some staff have dual qualifications. Staff are actively encouraged to hold honorary contracts with health care provider organisations and to utilise this to ensure they remain updated with contemporary issues within their own field. A number of staff have additional roles or memberships with external organisations for example, NMC Reviewers, External Advisors to other HEI's, Member of RCN Education Forum, Members of HEE leadership in pre-registration nursing group, Journal reviewers, Member of NHS Ethics Committee, Supervisor of Midwives, Local Provider Committees and charitable organisations. The School has a significant number of staff that hold PhDs and Professional Doctorates with a number of staff currently studying at doctorate level.

A number of staff have Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and many staff are working towards this. Staff are actively involved in research across the School and belong to one of the School's four research groups. Honorary lecturers, visiting lecturers and leading clinicians are integral to the delivery of modules within the programme and are utilised where appropriate. In addition, the School has a number of clinical staff on secondment to the School.

Facilities

Learning in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Keele is enhanced by superb classroom facilities, an excellent Health Library, computer suite, and established relationships with local primary and secondary health care providers. The programme will utilise an enquiry based learning approach which will build on both your existing graduate skill set and your past experience of working in a care setting. The programme will focus on quality care delivery, clinical skills, leadership and will be designed to be both research intensive and research informed.

To complement your University studies, we offer a diverse range of clinical placements across community and hospital settings to work with patients accessing health services.

Careers

Upon successful completion of this course you will be a qualified, capable postgraduate nurse ready to work in your chosen specialism. You will have developed competency in assessing, delivering and managing nursing care and be able to confidently support your nursing practice decisions with a robust evidence base. You will have the research and leadership skills to work as a leader and change agent.

You will graduate with an MSc and key sets of clinical, interpersonal and research skills, ready to register as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will have the opportunity to find employment in a range of settings in the UK or internationally. Nursing work can be diverse and in planning your future career you may wish to follow one of the following career pathways: Practitioner, Educator, Researcher or Manager.

Preparation for nursing practice encompasses learning in the spheres of knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours. It is recognised that evidence based knowledge is required for safe and effective nursing practice and as such programme content is driven by the NMC Future Nurse: Standards of proficiency for registered nurses, QAA Academic and Practitioner Standards for nursing alongside the QAA Master’s Degree Characteristics (NMC, 2018; QAA, 2010). The programme builds in terms of academic skill sets, professional responsibility and technical complexity throughout the two years.