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Professional Nurse Advocate

Improve your clinical supervision skills to better support the nursing workforce. You’ll reflect on your practice and think critically about your work. Gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA).

Two nursing students in the mock hospital ward comparing notes they are holding
LevelShort courses and CPD
Duration10 weeks
Start dates22 September 2026, 2 March 2027
Course codeCID1558

Course summary

Are you a registered nurse? Do you want to support others through change and leadership? This PNA course could be for you.

The course will help you build your clinical supervision skills so you can better support and retain the nursing workforce. You’ll explore the role of the PNA and how it fits within today’s healthcare system. You’ll also reflect on your own skills and experience. This will enable you to grow and develop in your role.

The course is based on the A-EQUIP model, which focuses on nursing leadership and restorative clinical supervision. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to apply what you’ve learned in practice as a PNA.

Please note, the course isn't suitable for nursing associates.

This is a blended multidisciplinary course designed for registered healthcare professionals. It's taught collectively to include allied health care professionals, nurses and midwives.

Why Sunderland for Short courses and CPD

Accreditations and approvals

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

What you'll study

Topics covered on this course include:

  • The A-EQUIP model and how it works
  • Making decisions in complex situations
  • Different models of clinical supervision
  • Restorative clinical supervision
  • Clinical governance and the PNA role
  • Quality improvement and how to measure it
  • Finding, reviewing, and using nursing research
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Patient care and safety
  • Leadership and workplace culture
  • Legal and professional issues in the PNA role
  • Lifelong learning and ongoing development
  • Support strategies for staff.

How you'll learn

We deliver the course online, one day a week for 10 weeks. Teaching is via lectures, supported by directed and self-directed study.

Assessment methods include:

  • A portfolio
  • A presentation and discussion on a quality improvement initiative of your choice.

You'll complete your assessment four weeks after the module ends.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

Employers usually meets course costs. We advise that you speak to your workforce development lead before applying.

We also accept self-funded applicants. If you'd like to explore your options, contact us at cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).

Apply now

Contact our team for further information about applying for this course. Call 0191 515 3361(opens in new tab) or email cpd@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).