AU1D008 - The Essentials of Nursing Practice 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AU1D008
Module Title: The Essentials of Nursing Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Nursing and Midwifery
Faculty Sub Group: Nursing
Module Leader: Michelle Panniers, Rachel Watkins
Module Team: Colin Macpherson, Stuart Baker, Jeff Evans, Chloe Howells, Christopher Nash, Clare Churcher, Denise Langford, Anitha Livingstone, Martin North, Sarah Newton-Gray, Sara Morgan, Martin Evans, Jemma Pimm, Samantha Metcalfe, Patrick Owen, Louise Hill, Rachel Creek, Joanne Smith, Angela Hiscocks, Katie Spender, Filipa Machado, Bethan Kent, Harpal Kaur, Tamara Edwards, Dawn Hopkins, Ria Chaloner, Callie Palmer, Mark Pearce-Palmer, Helen Hamer, Sarah Ross, Rhian Powles, Hannah Sisley, Charmaine Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100290 - nursing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To provide students with an essential understanding of key areas of nursing practice, and the implications of being a professional.

Content Summary

The content of this module will be applied across all four fields of practice. The module will explore the following themes:
Introduction to professionalism, overview of The Code (NMC 2018)

Definition of professional approaches in meeting the needs of service users across the age continuum.

Introduction to body systems and related physiology:
• Growth & development
• Maturation
• Birth to death continuum

Interface between physical & mental health problems (e.g. Dementia)

Introduction to social sciences as applied to service users, families and carers.

Introduction to ethical frameworks applied to the fields of nursing and the relationship to The Code (NMC 2018)

Ethical challenges and the implications for delivery of safe and compassionate family and person-centred care.

Involving service user, carers and families in care.

An introduction to meeting person centred care in relation to hygiene, mobility, nutrition, hydration, elimination, sleep and rest

Introduction to study skills/ development of self, personal health/resilience and reflective practice.

Introduction to the nurse's role when working in multi-professional teams

Importance of effective record keeping

Introduction to evidence-based care and its application to a range of practice settings

Core skills to include:
• Basic Life Support
• Management of challenging behaviour including de-escalation, violence and aggression.
• Universal precautions
• Manual handling
• Mental Health First Aid
• Positive behaviour support

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 36
Tutorial 18
Independent Study 200
Directed Study 106
Formative Assessment - Independent 20
Active/Simulation Based 20
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the fundamental knowledge, skills and professional values needed in order to deliver safe, holistic person-centred care
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of key physiological principles and body systems across the lifespan
LO3 Identify and differentiate a range of evidence that underpins contemporary nursing practice

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 As a Registered Nurse, discuss the fundamental knowledge, interpersonal skills, and professional values required when providing holistic, person-centred care for an individual within your field of practice. Drawing upon the evidence-base, please critically consider a minimum of three of the themes below within your work: · Dignity and Respect · The Therapeutic Relationship · Communication · Equality, Diversity and Inclusion · Professionalism - Confidentiality/Compassion/Consent/NMC Code 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 MCQ focusing on elements of physiology 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Essay 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Adult Texts
Barker J, Linsley P, Kane R, (2016) Evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals, (3rd Edition). Sage publishing. London
Elcock, K., Wright, W., Newcombe, P. and Everett, F. (2019) Essentials of Nursing Adults. Sage. London.
Peate, I (eds) (2019) Alexander’s Nursing Practice Hospital and Home. 5th edition. Elsevier. Edinburgh.

Core Texts
Blackburn, S. (2001) Ethics: a very short introduction. Oxford University Press. Oxford.
Delves-Yates, C. (2018) Essentials of Nursing Practice (2nd Edition) Sage. London. Dougherty, L. Lister, S and West-Oram, A. (2015) The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures, Student Edition, (9th Edition) Wiley-Blackwell. London
Esterhuizen P, Howatson-Jones L (2019) Reflective Practice in Nursing (4th Edition). Sage. London Marshall, P et al. (2017) Anatomy and Physiology in Healthcare. Scion Publishing. Banbury
Peate, I and Nair, M (2017) Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing and Healthcare Students (2nd Edition). Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex
Price, B and Harrington, A. (2018) Critical Thinking and Writing in Nursing, (4th Ed), Sage. London

Rees, C. (2016) Rapid research methods for Nurses, Midwives and Health Professionals, Wiley Blackwell. London

Child Texts
Gormley-Fleming E, Martin D (2018), Children’s and Young People’s Nursing Skills at a Glance. Wiley, Hoboken New Jersey.
Keenan T, Evans S, Crowley K (2016), An Introduction to Child Development 3rd Ed. Sage, LA
Meggitt C, (2012), Child Development; An Illustrated Guide 3rd Ed. Pearson Education, Harlow
Peate I, Gormley-Fleming E (2015), Fundamentals of Children’s Anatomy and Physiology; a textbook for nursing and healthcare students. John Wiley and Son, Chichester

Learning Disability Texts
Atherton, H, Crickmore D. (2011) Learning disabilities: towards inclusion. (6th Edition). Churchill Livingstone. London
Gates, B; Mafuba, K. (2015) Learning Disability Nursing: Modern Day Practice. Taylor and Francis. London.
Hardy, S; Chaplin, E; Woodward, P; (2016) Supporting the Physical Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities: A Handbook for Professionals, Support Staff and Families. Pavilion Publishing. London
Williams, V. (2012). Learning Disability Policy and Practice: Changing Lives? Palgrave Macmillan. England

Mental Health Texts
Harvey,J and Taylor,V (2013) Measuring health and wellbeing. Sage. London.

Wright, K. and McKeown (2018) Essentials of Mental Health Nursing. Sage. London