Non-medical prescribing: Independent and supplementary prescribing for nurses and midwives (degree and masters level)

Successful completion will lead to annotation on the NMC’s register as Nurse/Midwife Independent and Supplementary Prescriber (V300)
Non-medical prescribing: Independent and supplementary prescribing for nurses and midwives (degree and masters level)

Key features

This 40 credit module, which can be taken at either degree level or masters level, will enable you to prescribe safely, effectively and cost-effectively within your scope of practice. You will enhance your understanding of the theoretical, analytical and clinical principles of prescribing within a sound framework for history taking, problem solving, accountability and the development of an analytical evidenced based rationale for prescribing actions.

This module consists of 26 days over a six month period. It is delivered via a blended learning pathway consisting of 10 face-to-face taught days, one day of  revision and one day of examination and a final day offering tutorials and 13 self-directed days supported by a distance learning package. There are an additional 90 hours in practice supported by an independent prescriber (doctor or dentist).

Learning outcomes are mapped to the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (2006) Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers  and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s (2016)  Competency Framework for all Prescribers.

Successful completion of this module will lead to annotation on the NMC’s register as a nurse or midwife independent and supplementary prescriber.

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Module code

NMP602 / NMP702

Credits

40

FHEQ level

Level 6 - bachelors degree 

Level 7 - masters degree

Location

Blended learning approach with face to face delivery in Plymouth

NMP602 course details (degree level)

The aim of the degree-level module is to establish the principles of prescribing to enable the professional development of nurses and midwives as prescribers taking into account the wider influences of prescribing practice. The module will enable you to apply the principles of prescribing in order to prescribe safely, effectively and cost-effectively within the scope of your practice.

At the end of the module you will be able to:

  • provide evidence of systematic knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards safe, appropriate, effective and cost-effective legal prescribing practice which is commensurate with evidence-based practice analysing the reliability, validity and significance of evidence to support conclusions and recommendations, implementing and reviewing appropriate treatment pathways and current national and local guidelines with confidence.
  • demonstrate current understanding of the prescribing knowledge base in depth, including understanding of appropriate communication, consultation, assessment and decision making with the multidisciplinary team, patients, service users and carers to identify different pharmacological and non- pharmacological approaches.
  • apply the principles of evidence-based prescribing practice to identify, analyse, implement and review appropriate new and current treatment pathways and current national and local guidelines with confidence.
  • demonstrate critical understanding of the relevant legislation and its application to coherent independent and supplementary prescribing practice.
  • critically analyse in depth the underpinning evidence-based principles and legal and ethical influences on non-medical prescribing and their influences on prescribing practice.
  • identify different pharmacological and ‘life course’ non-pharmacological approaches to modifying disease and promoting health while demonstrating an understanding and application of knowledge of drug interactions and how to report adverse drug reactions.
  • demonstrate that when working with children as part of your clinical practice you can take an appropriate history, undertake a clinical assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis in your clinical area, having considered the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults. If you are not currently working with children, you will be expected to demonstrate that you have considered the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults.

NMP702 course details (masters level)

The aim of the masters-level module is to establish and continue to develop the theoretical, analytical and clinical principles of prescribing within a sound framework for history taking, diagnosis, problem solving, accountability and the development of an analytical evidenced-based rationale for prescribing actions. To enable the on-going professional development of nurses and midwives, as prescribers taking into account the wider influences of prescribing practice. The module will enable you to apply the principles of prescribing in order to prescribe safely, effectively and cost-effectively within the scope of your practice.

At the end of the module you will be able to:

  • demonstrate a mastery of the complex knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards safe, appropriate, effective and cost-effective legal prescribing practice which is commensurate with evidence-based practice analysing, implementing and reviewing appropriate treatment pathways and current national and local guidelines with confidence.
  • apply the principles of advanced appropriate communication, consultation, assessment, diagnosis and decision making with the multidisciplinary team, patients, service users and carers to identify and rationalise different pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches and justify these actions in complex situations.
  • demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles of evidence-based prescribing practice with confidence and critical awareness to identify, analyse, implement and review appropriate complex treatment pathways and interpret current national and local guidelines as applied to autonomous practice.
  • demonstrate through inquiry, critical awareness in relation to the relevant legislation, psychological patterns, governance issues and ethics and use this to proactively generate new ideas in relation to prescribing practice.
  • critically analyse the underpinning principles and legal and ethical influences on non-medical prescribing to evaluate methodologies and generate new ideas in relation to prescribing practice.
  • critically reflect on different pharmacological and ‘life course’ non-pharmacological approaches, appraising patient choice in the workplace and issues relating to concordance. Analyse complex situations related to modifying disease and promoting health.
  • demonstrate that when working with children as part of your clinical practice you can take an appropriate history, proactively manage and undertake a clinical assessment and make an appropriate diagnosis in your clinical area taking into account the more complex management of the child and young person and having analysed the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults. If you are not currently working with children, you will be expected to demonstrate that you have critically appraised the legal, cognitive, emotional and physical differences between children and adults.

Module dates

Timetabled face-to-face taught dates for these modules are 5 and 6 September, 3 and 4 October, 7 and 8 November, 5 and 6 December 2017 and 9 and 10 January 2018. Tutorials will be held on 6 February and revision sessions will be held on 7 February, with the OSCE being held on 21 February 2018.

Suggested dates for self-directed learning via the distance learning package are 26 September, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October, 14, 21 and 28 November, 12 and 19 December 2017 and 2, 18 and 25 January 2018.

(Occasionally delivery dates might be subject to change – always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit).

Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers. In the event that there are low numbers, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date. Some modules are also subject to maximum numbers.

What programmes can these modules count towards?

This module can be taken as a standalone professional development module or can count towards the following programmes:

For further information please contact the Professional Development Unit. 

Entry requirements

To be eligible for these modules you must:

  • have undertaken academic study in the past five years; at level 5 (Diploma of Higher Education) to apply for the NMP602 module or degree level to apply for the NMP702 module.
  • be a first level registered nurse or midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and provide evidence of your NMC PIN on application.
  • provide evidence that there is a clear service need for you to prescribe for your patients.
  • have secured a designated medical practitioner to supervise you for the duration of the course.
  • be clinically competent.
  • provide written evidence to your employers and us that you understand the need to protect patients.
  • provide evidence that you have had the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Screening (DBS) check for your current post within the last three years. If the DBS check identified that you have received a caution or offence, this must be discussed by you with your employer and with the course lead.

Accreditation of prior learning (APL) is not available for this module.

Module lead

The module lead for both modules is Linda Duggan.

Email: linda.duggan@plymouth.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees for 2017/18 academic year

Please see our professional development module fees page.

Funding

Funding for this module may be available through your employing trust. To apply please contact your Trust’s Educational Co-ordinator who will guide you through the application process.

If you work in the private, independent and voluntary sector, please contact your employer who will advise you.

Further information

For further information regarding these modules, please contact:

Professional Development Unit

Level 4 Rolle Building, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA

Prospective student enquiries: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1752 586951

Current student enquiries: pdu@plymouth.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)1752 586958