Adult Nursing Practice BSc (Hons)

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Learn from an enthusiastic team of skilled professionals. Regularly meet and work with patients and carers. Graduate with the qualifications needed to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (Adult).

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Overview

We have developed this exciting degree in collaboration with Sunderland CARE Academy partner organisations including South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, along with Clinical Commissioning Groups and our Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) participants.

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Nurse (Adult).

Please ensure you use the right UCAS code on your application.

Upcoming start dates
27 April 2020
14 September 2020

Why us?

Our Nursing courses are in the top five in the UK according to The Guardian University league tables 2018
Winner of Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2018
In collaboration with local Trusts, this exciting and innovative undergraduate pre-registration nursing programme supports the growth of nursing in the region
Our Nursing courses were ranked 1st overall in the UK in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey
Our Nursing courses were ranked 3rd in the UK for Assessment and Feedback, 1st in the UK for Retention and Progression, and 1st in the UK for Employability in the 2018 UK Engagement Survey
Our Nursing courses are ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Students' Union representing students' academic interests, according to the National Student Survey 2019
Opportunities to collaborate in an interprofessional learning capacity with other healthcare courses including pharmacy, paramedic science, medicine, biomedical science, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

The Sunderland School of Nursing and Health Sciences has superb facilities; our Living Lab supports interactive simulation and the development of tomorrow’s nurses
Undertake a range of clinical placements with your selected partner trust
Adult nurses in the NHS will usually start at band 5, with a current starting salary for a registered general nurse of £22,128
Experienced senior nurses who have achieved additional qualifications can earn significantly more, depending on their role. In the NHS a Senior Nurse can earn between £40,428 and £48,514 per year (Band 8)
We have a unique relationship with our Patient, Carer and Public Involvement Group who take part in a variety of activities to support learning

Course structure

During your first year, you will be introduced to the requirements of becoming a registered nurse through studying and completing modules in professional practice and nursing practice. This combined with learning about physical and human science will prepare you for your first clinical placements which will be held in local NHS Trusts.

Fifty percent of your time over the duration of the course will be in clinical practice under the supervision of registered practitioners, in a range of clinical settings in and out of hospital. A key aspect of our course is patient involvement and patient centred care, and you will have regular contact with our Patient, Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) members throughout the course, who all have experience and expertise as patients or carers.

As a nurse, you will need to demonstrate compassionate and caring approaches to patients and interprofessional working in the healthcare workforce and the programme provides you with opportunities to learn and work alongside other students and staff from a range of disciplines, as part of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Enquiry for Nursing Practice (10 credits)

Develop the required skills for evidence-based practice. Build upon existing study skills required to meet the academic requirements of the course. Gain insight into engagement with learning styles, teaching methods and the assessment process. Practice using source materials for the purpose of referencing and citation. Present work to a variety of audiences, for example; peers, academic staff, practice colleagues and Patient, Carer, Public Involvement (PCPI) participants.

Bio-psychosocial Principles of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)

Learn through a systems-based approach to anatomy and physiology, psychology and microbiology using patient journeys as illustrations to enhance learning. Explore human health and wellbeing in the context of Public Health and symptoms of disease. Learn to communicate complex medical terminology to both colleagues and patients in an understandable manner through engagement in discussions of practice experiences with both peers and Patient Carer, Public Involvement (PCPI) participants.

Develop your understanding of the physiological processes, anatomical and cognitive structures of the human body beginning at a molecular and cellular level and culminating in a complete overview of organs and systems. Explore overarching themes in anatomy, physiology pathophysiology, and neurology supported by taught sessions that facilitate inquiry-based learning.

Foundations of Nursing Practice (30 credits)

Explore the core skills of nursing and take a holistic view of the individual focusing on health promotion, comprehensive assessment and the application of evidence-based practice. Understand models of reflective practice to support learning and professional development while supporting the development of building effective relationships with clients and others involved in the provision of healthcare. Focus on three core elements that reflect the competence, professionalism and underpinning knowledge which characterise a high-quality nursing workforce which underpins the values base of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Gain necessary psychomotor skills to perform the core and essential skills of nursing practice through interactive clinical skills sessions with PCPIs in our Living Lab and Mental Health and Wellbeing Suite. Explore the consequences of error and negligence in a risk-free environment through considerable simulated experience.

Practice Placement 1 (60 credits)

Apply theoretical components to clinical practice. Study models of reflective practice together with an overview of interprofessional working. Gain experience and insight into lived patient experience. Understand the importance of respecting an individual’s autonomy and right to make decisions about their own health and wellbeing.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Application of Evidence Based Practice for Nurses (20 credits)

Develop an understanding of the key issues related to healthcare practice informed by the best available evidence to support shared decision making. Explore the nature of evidence available to inform practice and discuss sourcing the evidence for practice. Gain critical appraisal skills and debate how best available evidence can be integrated into healthcare practice and healthcare policy. Explore the nature of knowledge and how this underpins nursing and healthcare practice. Debate the ethical issues that underpin best practice including consent and risk management. Use a range of research methods and explore their merits and appropriate use. Explore the nature of clinical judgment and research integration.

Holistic Nursing for Altered Physiology to Promote Well Being (40 credits)

Gain knowledge of major pathological and physiological changes in the human body, occurring as a result of common diseases, and disease processes. Explore the manifestations, impacts and interventions of illness and disease. Build on your foundational knowledge of physical and human sciences and explore altered pathological and physiological change. Use a range of teaching and learning strategies to explore the impact of these changes and define the implications for nursing practice. Study co-morbidity and medico pharmaceutical treatments and modalities in order to enhance wellbeing and recovery, within the context of ethical and professional frameworks.

Practice Placement 2 (60 credits)

Develop knowledge and the application of nursing practice interventions to provide evidence-based, safe, and compassionate physical and psychological care. Effectively assess, plan and implement care and demonstrate a range of nursing interventions. Develop skills and knowledge to formulate a nursing plan of care and undertake observations and clinical interventions with less direct supervision.

Final year (national level 6):

Dissertation (40 credits)

Attend formal sessions which explore the evidence base of nursing practice, the range and hierarchy of evidence for particular healthcare issues. On this basis, select a particular area in your field of nursing. Develop your ability to make informed use of published research and other sources of evidence and information in order to apply findings to enhance practice; enabling your production of an independent, negotiated project that analyses an aspect of your discipline.

Leadership and Interprofessional Learning (20 credits)

Develop knowledge and understanding in self-awareness, improving healthcare and working with others. Gain an understanding of key leadership theories and models. Explore your application to healthcare and reflect on your personal strengths along with areas for development. Explore the role of service improvement techniques, approaches in service provision and development to improve healthcare, developing an understanding of clinical governance. Consider roles and responsibilities of all professionals alongside the values of team work in interprofessional care.

Explore carer and user perspectives in interprofessional care settings to illuminate personal experiences of interprofessional care. Explore the challenges of shared decision making in interprofessional practice through interactive workshop sessions. Study ethical issues in the context of interprofessional working to drive discussion and debate and gain insight into challenges faced from a variety of professional viewpoints. Study the impact of information technology, healthcare informatics and issues in transcultural healthcare provision.

Integrated Practice Placement 3 (60 credits)

Develop your knowledge and application of nursing to practice within a range of clinical settings. Study care provision across the human lifespan including the health and wellbeing continuum. Learn biological, psychological and sociological theory in the context of person-centred care. Focus on individuals with complex health needs with emphasis on the concept of co-morbidity and the implications for care this entails. Explore pharmacological principles and concordance.

Facilities

The University of Sunderland offers modern and well-equipped facilities at our Sciences Complex.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 112 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent, which should preferably include a Health or Science related subject. Please note we do not accept General Studies AS or A Level.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator.

We also require at least five passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or equivalent. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Please note we are unable to accept applications from outside of the EU. You can find other acceptable qualifications in our Applying help and advice articles.

Your completed application form will be reviewed by our Admissions Team to ensure that you have the required entry qualifications. If you meet these requirements, then your application will be individually assessed by the Adult Nursing Practice Admissions Tutor and if successful you will be shortlisted for interview.

The selection process will include an individual interview and two group activities which will assess you on your values, problem solving and communication skills.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL): This is available to applicants who meet the course specific APL requirements. It may apply to applicants who wish to transfer their NMC approved nursing studies from another university where they have achieved 120 credits at Level 4.

If you are interested in the APL route, please contact the admissions tutor for further information:

Yvonne Hindmarsh
yvonne.hindmarsh@sunderland.ac.uk
0191 515 2890

Access: We would be looking for a combination of merit and distinctions in your level 3 units which should preferably include some units in a Health or a Science related subject. We also require a minimum of grade C in maths and English language or equivalent. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

Fitness to Practise: Nursing is a registered health care profession for which the ability to practise safely and effectively and professionally is essential, so all nursing applicants will be subjected to Fitness to Practise procedures.

This means you are required to complete two self-declaration forms, one about your health and the other about your conduct. For UK students you will also be required to obtain a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you are successful, you will also need to complete these self-declaration forms on an annual basis for the duration of the course.

A Fitness to Practise information pack containing the relevant documents will be sent to you by the University of Sunderland once you hold a conditional firm offer with us. These forms are then reviewed alongside your application, and you must meet both the academic and fitness to practise requirements before you will be given an unconditional offer.

These checks enable us to make safer recruitment decisions by identifying candidates who may be unsuitable for certain activities including the nursing practice placements. The University will take into account current NMC regulations and do all it can to accommodate the needs of undergraduate adult nursing candidates who declare a specific learning difficulty.
In addition you will also be required to attend a full occupational health screening.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

For April 2020 entry:

You will undertake your placements with one of our partner Trusts below. When you apply for the course through UCAS, you will apply for the Trust you wish to work with by using one of the following UCAS codes:

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (B7R6)*
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (B7R8)
North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (B7R9)*
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (B7R1)*
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (B7R4)

*Please note you will be expected to undertake placements at either site.

For September 2020 entry:

Please apply via UCAS using the UCAS code B7S7. At interview, you will be asked to rank your preferred Trust, which will then be confirmed once you start the course.

Fees and finance

This course is one of the new initiatives supporting increasing availability and access to nursing education and is not NHS funded.

The annual fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK or EU

We are unable to accept international applicants.

If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.

If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces, then the Ministry of Defence's ELCAS scheme may be able to help cover your funding for this course. For more information, see our Funding for Armed Forces personnel page.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.

Scholarships calculator

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This information was correct at the time of publication.

Employment

Adult nursing is a rewarding and challenging career where you have a real chance to make a difference to people's lives. The completion of this course will lead to registration as an adult nurse.

Career options

Adult nurses make up the largest part of the NHS workforce with over 176,000 working in just acute settings. In the future, more adult nursing jobs will be based in the community rather than hospitals as more care is delivered outside of acute settings, including hospital wards, outpatient units or specialist departments, the community or nursing homes and the prison service.

Adult nurses are a key part of the multidisciplinary teams that look after patients. You will be at the centre of teams that can include physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, radiographers and healthcare assistants. You'll also work closely with patients' families and carers.

Start your nursing career at the University of Sunderland with one of our partner Trusts and develop life-long nursing skills in a collaborative and supportive environment. Many career opportunities are available post-qualification and with additional qualifications, nurses have the potential of earning £40K plus.

Placements

At all levels of the course, you will undertake unpaid clinical placements in hospitals and the community. The placements occur in blocks of varying duration, there are two blocks in year 1 and three blocks in years 2 and 3.

You will undertake your placements at one of our partner trusts: City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

During your placements, you will be assigned a Clinical Mentor who will directly supervise you as well as acting as a means of support and guidance.

As you may be expected to travel long distances, start your shift in the early hours, or finish your shift late at night, you could be entitled to Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) which allows you to make a retrospective claim for excess travel costs and/or expenses for temporary accommodation near to the location of your placement. Find out more from the Learning Support Fund (LSF).

Meet the students

I have always felt valued at the University, and the support was always there.

Amy Conway
The facilities are so the state of the art that they really help prepare you for the real world.

Hannah Scrafton
The friendly nature of the staff and students here at the University of Sunderland is amazing.

Joshua Ivison
You learn so much, the lecturers are brilliant – they'll give you any amount of time that you need.

Leah Carr
It's great that I am able to apply what I've learned at the University into clinical practice.

Stacy Humphrey

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing.

Page last updated: 12 February 2020

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