Learning Disabilities Nursing MSc

15 credits

This module is a core requirement for all MSc Nursing students. The content of the module is designed to help you develop your knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology in relation to nursing, which is an essential element of nursing proficiency. Pathophysiology will be introduced in relation to common conditions, and you will also begin to develop your knowledge of pharmacological concepts.

The main features of the module are to enable you to apply scientific principles to nursing care. It will also support you to identify and understand current nursing practices underpinned by scientific theory.

30 credits

This module will introduce you to the fundamental elements of nursing and person-centred care, compassionate communication, evidence-based practice and contemporary health policy. It will enable you to develop critical knowledge, skills and professional attributes for the delivery of safe and effective person-centred care of individuals and their families or carers across a variety of settings.

You will begin to establish a sense of their nursing field identity but also that of other fields in order to promote effective interdisciplinary and integrated care. The skills required for evidence-based healthcare will also be developed and digital healthcare as a concept introduced.

30 credits

This module will give you a solid understanding of the systems by which people with a learning disability receive care, both historically and contemporaneously. It acknowledges that people with a learning disability may receive support from agencies external to healthcare.

You will appraise and gain an understanding of the multi-disciplinary roles that non-nursing healthcare professionals provide, as well as the roles of those other, non-healthcare professionals (e.g. social work, carers, educators).

You will explore the societal and media perceptions of people with a learning disability. You will consider how to incorporate support for families, friends, and other important people into the care that is planned and delivered in partnership with people with a learning disability.

The module will equip you with a sound knowledge of safeguarding, and how to apply safeguarding approaches in practice. You will apply knowledge and understanding of the nursing process, particularly in the context of learning disabilities nursing, and utilise methods of assessment in learning disabilities nursing, e.g. The Moulster and Griffith Model. Using a co-production approach, you will practise assessing and care-planning for a variety of health and other holistic needs. 

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete part 1 and to be allowed to progress.

30 credits

This module provides you with the fundamental clinical knowledge and skills required for parts 1 and 2 of the programme. You will be prepared for your role in practice, enabling you to provide evidence based, person centred care to people at any stage of life who may have a range of physical, mental, cognitive or behavioural health conditions.

You will be prepared to make evidence-based decisions by collating and rationalising relevant evidence to ensure safe, high-quality person and family-centred care in digital healthcare environment. You will also be introduced to foundational pharmacological and medicines management knowledge to enable you to safely develop your skills and knowledge in the administration of medicines to clients, patients and service users. You will develop your understanding of the regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks that influence medicines management and the underlying pharmacological science. Issues such as concordance will be explored, and the skills required to access resources to support medicines management practice.

Embedded within the module is simulated practice learning that will support the development of your clinical knowledge and skills. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. This is a shared learning module with some key field specific elements.

15 credits

This module will introduce you to the principles and practice of public health and the nurse's role within this. It will develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes to make a positive impact on the health of individuals, communities and populations.

You will be introduced to the central themes of public health practice and the NMC Future Nurse standards (2018) Platform 2. You will gain an understanding of the aims and principles of health promotion and protection and prevention of ill health. You will also develop a foundational awareness of the four core elements of public health nursing practice: Search for health needs, stimulation of awareness of health needs, influence on policy effecting health, facilitation of health enhancing activities.

You will be equipped with essential digital skills, including the use of public health intelligence to survey and assess a population's health and wellbeing. You will develop an understanding of how the social/wider determinants of health are important drivers of health inequalities. This module will also consider approaches to reducing these disparities.

You will gain an understanding of public health policy and be supported to reflect on the ethical dimensions of public health practice. The module will also introduce you to the global dimensions of health, and its links with UK health outcomes. This includes the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable development and environmental management for the benefit of public health.

30 credits

This module prepares you for your role in leading care as a learning disabilities nurse.  In this module you will critique theories of leadership, management and teamwork and apply them to your future practice when you safely and effectively lead and co-ordinate high-quality care with people with learning disabilities and their families/carers. You will explore development of the skills, knowledge, and approaches needed to lead care efficiently in the modern healthcare environment including advanced communication, teamworking, cultural competence, digital skills, delegation, feedback and facilitating learning.  You will explore critically leadership theories, influencing skills, clinical governance, quality improvement, political concepts, and contextualise the implementation of developments in healthcare with change management theory. 

While the focus of this module is primarily learning disability nursing, some learning will be shared across all fields of nursing through combined learning, teaching, and knowledge exchange.

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete and to be allowed to progress.

Non-credit bearing credits

This module is the Practice Assessment Module which is designed to support you with the achievement of the NMC proficiencies and practice assessment requirements. The module focuses on practice preparation, reflection following practice experiences and the development of your numeracy skills. All elements need to be satisfactorily completed for you to complete this level and to be allowed to progress to registration.

30 credits

This module will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for your role in coordinating and managing the care of people with a complex learning disability. You will explore the support provided in a range of organisations and settings, including working with families and other health and care professionals.

The module explores the complex role of the learning disability nurse, working as a specialist, to enrich the quality of life of people with learning disabilities across a diverse range of communities and organisations. Experts from lived experience will be involved in the learning and teaching, supporting you through a range of complex case studies whilst taking into consideration current socio economical and workforce challenges. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will build on your knowledge of partnership and collaborative working and examine the cultural, political, psychosocial and technological influences on nursing care, resource management and finances.

30 credits

This module explores the knowledge and skills necessary to implement effective holistic and collaborative care for people with a learning disability. You will learn the importance of reasonable adjustments and health improvement strategies at individual and local levels to enable delivery of safe person-centred care. You will develop the knowledge and skills to support people with a learning disability in making choices about their health and care and to facilitate equal access and critically evaluate the approaches that can be taken to this.  Multi-disciplinary working and current frameworks will be critically explored for delivering person-centred care. A range of evaluative techniques to measure clinical outcomes will be examined.

60 credits

Navigating the transition from student to a registrant who understands the professional and political environment in which they will be working is critically important to the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality health care. This module aims to explore the key areas that will enable you to transition and fulfil the role of a registered nurse and also to prepare you for your role as a practice supervisor. The module is designed to prepare you for professional nursing practice by further developing your knowledge and skills to enable you to be an accountable and compassionate registrant within the health and social care system. There is a focus on the mechanisms that underpin care organisation and delivery, how nurses are integral to and can influence this and aims to develop your critical understanding of the factors influencing the environment in which you will be working.

The module will also develop your collaborative learning and teaching knowledge and skills enabling you to work with peers, people and families/carers. You will integrate your knowledge of learning theories, communication and relational skills to enable you to work collaboratively with others, critically reflecting on the challenges this can pose. You will also develop the clinical skills and proficiencies required for Part 3 of your programme through skills and simulated practice learning activities. You will have the opportunity to critically discuss inter and intra professional working alongside developing strategies for managing challenging communication. Personal tutor groups are integrated into this module as is time with your course director and year lead. This is a shared module that all students will undertake together, providing opportunities for intra-professional discussion and learning.