MSc Nursing

Institution University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus
Method At the institution
Location Paisley
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc Nursing

Objectives This part-time course aims to develop the knowledge and skills of experienced nurses and to prepare the expert nurse to undertake research and leadership roles. The context of contemporary nursing will be explored and students will have the opportunity to apply their learning to their own field of practice. Postgraduate Certificate
Entry requirements ENTRY REQUIREMENTS * Applicants must be a Registered Nurse and have a first degree. Applicants with substantial professional experience may also be considered.
Academic title MSc Nursing
Course description For the award of PgCert Nursing, students should undertake one core module and two option modules from the following menu:

Course Contents

Core module

    * Issues and Trends in Nursing (on-campus and online) – responses to national policy and local service needs within the health service have led to a blurring of the traditional role of the nurse. This module seeks to empower nurses with the necessary knowledge to make informed choices and decisions on current and future nursing roles and responsibilities.

Option modules (choose 2)

    * Advanced Non-Medical Prescribing (on-campus delivery) – this module has been validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Health Professions Council and a prescribing qualification may be registered on successful completion.
    * Frail Older People (blended learning) – this module aims to address the concept of frailty and provides students with an in-depth approach to the concept and the issues surrounding frailty in a holistic manner.
    * Interdisciplinary Assessment in Mental Health Care (on-campus delivery) – this module covers the variety of assessment methods, physical, social and psychological that are used in mental health care, developing students’ existing knowledge in the context of current policies and legislation. Modern Day Cancer & Palliative Care (on-campus delivery) this module will examine the contemporary issues and challenges which face nurses within the areas of cancer and palliative care.
    * Leading Diabetic Services (online only) – this module has been developed to allow nurses to be better able to respond to the clinical needs of diabetic clients.
    * Advanced Patient Assessment (on-campus delivery) – this module aims to prepare students to undertake a systematic assessment and history from patients across the age span. Students will learn the skills of normal patient examination and history taking and discuss the professional implications of changing and advancing practice. This is a practice-based module and the support of a clinical supervisor is necessary.

Postgraduate Diploma

For the award of PgDip Nursing, students should, in addition, successfully complete the following modules:

    * Leadership for Effectiveness (on-campus and online)students undertaking this module will be encouraged to critically explore the current challenges facing health and social care professionals delivering integrated care with a dynamic and evolving health and social care context.
    * Independent Study (on-campus and online) – within this module, students will be expected to focus their study within the context of their own field of nursing to explore an area of personal interest and professional relevance and to apply Masters-level study to their practice.
    * Research Methods in Health Care (online only) – to be undertaken immediately prior to dissertation. This module builds on previous study of research design and methods at undergraduate level and provides the knowledge and skills necessary for students to undertake a Masters-level research study.

MSc

    * For successful completion of the MSc Nursing, students should successfully complete a Masters dissertation. The aim of the dissertation is to enable students to further examine nursing within their field of practice and consider the contribution of nursing practice to health care. Each student will be allocated a supervisor who will advise on the selection of the dissertation topic.

Career Prospects

This programme aims to develop the experienced nursing practitioner to take on the challenges of decision-making, autonomous practice and leadership which are necessary for contemporary advancing nursing practice. It has been designed to integrate with relevant stages within the Knowledge and Skills Framework.