BNurs Adult Nursing

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Introduction to Neonatal Low Dependency Care

Course unit fact file
Unit code NURS23131
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This is a year 2 ‘discovery unit’ available to all students as a choice from a menu of options. 
This unit for students who wish to learn more about caring for neonates in low dependency environments.
 

Aims

This unit aims to:
  • Introduce the student to the complex needs of infants and families requiring Neonatal Low Dependency Care
  • To enable the student to understand the basic embryology and physiology related to common neonatal conditions that require specific neonatal low dependency nursing care
  • To help the student to develop the knowledge required to support the family unit at times of illness and stress
  • To introduce the student to local, national and international forums that influence neonatal care
 

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this unit align with NMC (2018) Standards of Proficiency 1.2 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 3.1. These outcomes are also met within the core part of the programme.

Teaching and learning methods

This unit is part of a menu of options (Discovery Units) available to all students on this programme. It is important to note that the overall B.Nurs (2019) programme design ensures that students have the opportunity to meet the proficiencies aligned to the learning outcomes for this unit elsewhere in the programme. Therefore students who choose other available options will not miss out on the opportunity to achieve the programme learning outcomes that align to this unit. The intended learning outcomes for this unit have been developed to align directly to a number of NMC (2018) standards of proficiency in order to support student’s choice to further develop these proficiencies.  
 
The aims and learning outcomes for this unit focus on the following central themes:
 
a) Key concepts in low dependency neonatal care (family centred care/support for human milk production/infant feeding)
b) The policy context for organisation and delivery of low dependency neonatal care
c) Understanding newborn infant life support 
 
The teaching and learning methods used include online live lectures, student focused learning and seminars based on patient centred scenarios. The patient centred case scenarios guide students to develop insight into the experiences of the patient, carers, and professional teams involved in the scenario.
 
Assessment 

The students will complete an exam preparation workshop whereby a case study will be discussed as part of a seminar, presenting opportunities for tutor and peer formative feedback

The summative assessment involves the student completing an open book assessment based on a seen case scenario. The exam is completed in one hour and the assessment is available for a 48 hour period. The student will be given the case history in advanceof their timed exam period iin order that the student may gather the required detail and references to support their answer.

The assessments tests the students understanding of evidence based care in the low dependency neonatal care environment. The indicative content delivered via lectures, guided independent study, and seminars.

 

Knowledge and understanding

To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of disease patterns and processes that influence the need for low dependency care of the newborn
Understand basic embryology and recognise how this affects both short and long term outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the family when a baby requires low dependency care

Intellectual skills

  • To identify and discuss the professional, political and financial drivers that may impact on care of the newborn and their families or carers
  • Explore innovative practice related to low dependency care of the newborn
 

Practical skills

  • To understand and demonstrate the practical skills related to newborn infant life support
  • To understand and demonstrate the practical skills required to support lactation and breast feeding

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate understanding of the evidenced based rationales for care and treatment within low dependency neonatal care environments
  • Reflect on their own knowledge and skills in relation to neonatal nursing
  • Develop skills of decision making, prioritising, team working and self-awareness
  • Participate in collaborative learning and peer support
 

Assessment methods

Open Book Assessment

Feedback methods

Students will have the opportunity to attend formative seminars prior to the summative assessment. Other feedback opportunities will also be available in class and online discussion boards. Online feedback is provided in Grademark. Provisional feedback based on internal marking will be made available prior to the Exam Board on the basis that these marks are yet to be ratified at the Exam Board and therefore may be subject to change. A standard feedback mechanism in Grademark is utilised across all undergraduate programmes within the School which provides detailed and constructive feedback on each component and aspect of assessment and identifies areas of strength and those aspects which could be enhanced.

Student feedback is obtained through open discussion forums on blackboard, in class discussions, via formal University unit evaluation forms and also qualitative, in house evaluations at the end of the unit. 

Recommended reading

https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/search-resources/reading-lists/

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1
Lectures 9
Project supervision 10
Seminars 3
Work based learning 4
Independent study hours
Independent study 73

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Tracey Jones Unit coordinator

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