69´«Ã½

This is a part-time, level 6 short course delivered on our 69´«Ã½ campus, with some content accessed online (blended learning method)

Who is this course for?

This short course is suitable for NMC registered nurses, midwifes or Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPH) with at least 12 months experience working within critical care settings. 

Why study this course?

The aim of this level 6 short course will be to support the learner to:

• Use a system-based approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the pathophysiology behind illnesses encountered in critical care
• Apply the principles of a person-centred approach to caring for the critically ill
• Critically evaluate evidence-based medicine and its application to the critical care environment
• Build on and enhance the skills gained from the previous module

How long does this course take to complete?

This part-time short course runs over 18 weeks, usually during semester 2 of the academic year. 

The next course will start in May 2025, and will run on a Thursday: 

• The first 12 weeks includes 8 taught sessions, delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face methods. Face-to-face delivery will be on our campus in 69´«Ã½. 
• 1 simulation day 
• 3 asynchronous directed study sessions. You will not be expected to attend the campus on these days. However, there will be set work for you to complete which might include watching pre-recorded content, researching content on various websites, reading chapters or articles.
• The last 6 weeks of the course are directed study days to allow time for the learner to complete and submit their written work and competencies.

 Further Information

The assessment strategy for this module is as follows:

• The students will be required to complete a 3 station OSCE (objective and standardised method of assessing students' clinical competence) assessment on the assessment of, management planning for, and communication regarding critically ill patients.
• The students will be required to produce a 3000-word case study related to a critical care patient
• The students will be required to complete a set of clinical competencies from the Critical Care Network National Competency Steps Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (Steps 2 and 3 competencies).

Tutor

Eirlys Walker

Eirlys has over 30 years experience of working in the Critical Care environment both as a nurse and as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner and has recently joined the academic team within the School of Health Sciences as a lecturer on the Critical Care Programme

What will you study on this course?

This module will focus predominantly on the altered physiology that leads to critical illness and on the treatment strategies that can be employed to support and treat patients through their critical care journey, taking a patient-centred, holistic approach. The module builds on the knowledge of anatomy and physiology gained in the Fundamentals module and uses this knowledge to highlight the abnormalities encountered in illness. The module will build on the introduction to pharmacology gained by looking specifically at the pharmacology of the 5 main systems studied. The module also includes, but is not limited to:

• Management of the advanced supported airway
• An insight into the role of allied health professionals in critical care
• Transfer of the critically ill

As with the Fundamentals module, the advanced module will include a simulation day, where students will run through clinical scenarios in the simulation suite with a manequin, assessing illness and making treatment and management decisions based on the assessment.

• Enquiries regarding Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) funding should be directed to bcu.nurseeducation@wales.nhs.uk.
• Funding opportunities may be available for those working locally (i.e. in the north Wales and Powys areas), please contact the relevant module co-ordinator for details.
• All other application and funding related enquiries should be directed to the module co-ordinator .

Please see our Undergraduate Fees and Finance page for further information.

Applicants must fulfil the following criteria to be considered eligible for this course:  

• NMC registered nurse, midwife or Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPH)

Working in a Critical Care role with at least 12 months experience/completed the Steps 1 Critical Care Competencies. Students will need a workplace mentor.
 

How to Apply

Please make sure you read and follow the step-by-step application guide as this will specify which sections of the application form are compulsory for the type of course you want to apply for and save you time.

Please prepare the following information (in a Word document):

• Current employment details;
• Years of experience, and employment history (where relevant)
• Name of staff member and organisation that have approved your funding for this module.

This will speed up the process of completing the application form.