Adult Nursing - 2013 entry
BSc (Hons)
- single
Typical A-level offer: grades BCC or equivalent (preferably including a science subject)
Overview
Adult Nursing students at a group discussion
Adult Nursing students at a group discussion
Developing clinical skills
A patient simulation setup
This course is run by the Department of Clinical Health Care
Adult Nursing is an exciting and rewarding career choice. It's one in which you can make a real and positive contribution to people who are facing some of the most challenging experiences of their lives. The adult patient population is one of great diversity, so you will have the opportunity to develop skills in caring for adults with long and short-term health problems at all stages of their lives and from all cultural backgrounds and walks of life.
When you qualify, there is a very wide range of specialist options and lifelong learning opportunities you can pursue, whether you choose to work for the NHS in hospital or the community, or in the independent sector within private or voluntary organisations. UK-trained nurses are also highly valued throughout the world and there are many opportunities to work overseas.
We offer the Adult Nursing course at bachelor's degree level.
If you already have a relevant bachelor's degree but would like to pursue adult nursing as a career, we are pleased to offer a pre-registration master's course.
You can choose to study in either Oxford or Swindon.
Why Brookes?
- The Adult Nursing course prepares you to be a confident, professional practitioner, able to care for adults within an ever-changing health and social care environment.
- We offer flexible pathways in Oxford and Swindon.
- You will have your own academic adviser to support you through your time at Oxford Brookes University.
- Our teaching staff come from a wide range of clinical and academic backgrounds.
- You have the opportunity to study abroad by undertaking a Health and Social Care Elective module, or you may wish to participate in one of our overseas exchange programmes.
Our staff come from a wide range of academic backgrounds and have extensive clinical experience in areas such as community nursing, critical and palliative care, women’s health, cardiology, surgical nursing, neurosciences, and care of the older person. Course team members also have strong research interests in practice skills development and the use of simulation resources to enhance learning. A number of our academic staff have experience in teaching overseas nurses. All of this enhances students' learning experience. In addition to this, skilled practitioners and nurse consultants deliver specialist teaching sessions. Patients and carers are also involved in teaching and learning.
In 2011 the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) commended the course for
- the standard of practice assessment strategy and documentation
- internationalisation of the curriculum, including exchange opportunities.
Teaching, learning and assessment
In health and social care, no professional group works in isolation. Oxford Brookes teaches a very wide range of pre-qualification and foundation courses, including health and social care, nursing (children's and mental health), midwifery, occupational therapy, osteopathy, operating department practice, paramedic emergency care, physiotherapy and social work. You will share your learning with these other health care students. This is a key component of the course as it is essential in developing your teamwork skills and your understanding of the other roles you will encounter in practice.
We offer a very friendly and supportive environment in which to learn and we consistently receive very high satisfaction ratings for student support and learning resources in student surveys. All our courses adopt a student-centred approach to teaching and learning and are strongly focused on encouraging you to attain your full potential as a lifelong learner.
Information technology plays an increasingly important role in health care courses and a very extensive range of learning resources can be accessed through 'Brookes Virtual', an online repository of lectures, handouts, information and learning exercises.
Experience in the clinical setting is a key part of the course and is supported by lectures, seminars, workshops and clinical skills suite work, along with discussion and debate, exploration of case studies and group and individual tutorial sessions. This broad repertoire of academic experiences provides the level of understanding necessary for competence as a first-level practitioner upon graduation.
Practice is assessed through clinical competency achievement and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE). These are an integral part of the practice-based modules. Academic assessments include a variety of written assignments, examinations and presentations.
Learning outcomes
When you have successfully completed the course, you will have:
- knowledge and understanding of adult nursing in the broad context of health, illness and health care environments
- competence to plan, provide and document evidence-based nursing care which is patient-centred
- the knowledge and skills to critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on practice
- the ability to use effective self-management
- teaching and teamwork skills, including demonstrating the potential for leadership
- a broad range of academic and clinical skills.
In detail
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Course content
You will undertake 24 modules of study, which offer a flexible approach to learning and are divided into three distinct components:
- course-specific modules
- multiprofessional modules
- shared-learning modules.
The course-specific modules are designed to provide you with the knowledge, confidence and skills required to nurse adults. The multiprofessional modules (Partnerships modules) are taken alongside students on other health care courses and will give you a broad range of health care knowledge and understanding.
To attain the honours degree, you will need to complete a double dissertation module, which will focus on an aspect of adult nursing that you wish to explore in depth. It may also be possible to exit with an ordinary degree.
Experiential learning, to integrate the theory and practice of nursing, is a key part of the course. This approach ensures the best possible conditions in which to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills required to nurse adults knowledgeably and competently. It is our aim to educate you to be a confident, professional practitioner who can contribute creatively and with sensitivity within the health care team environment.
We are fortunate in having access to a remarkable range of clinical settings, many of which have national and international reputations. You will gain experience in a wide variety of these practice environments within Oxfordshire (Oxford-based students) or Wiltshire, Oxfordshire or Gloucestershire (Swindon-based students).
Courses are regularly reviewed, so the module list you are offered may vary from that shown here. Some modules will be taught alongside students on other health care courses to enable you to develop your understanding of multiprofessional working within health and social care.
Note: although there is some scope for flexibility in module choice, this is restricted in pre-qualification courses owing to the demands of the professional requirements for registration.
Year 1
- Introduction to Person Centred Care (double)
- Development of the Human Body and Mind
- Partnerships I: Introduction to Using Evidence in Professional Practice
- Developing Person Centred Care (double)
- Life Science for Health Care Professionals
- Applied Life Science for Adult Nurses
Years 2 and 3
Examples of modules taken during years 2 and 3 include:
- Experiences of Health and Illness: Adult Nursing Practice I
- Experiences of Health and Illness: Adult Nursing Practice II
- Complex and Challenging Issues in Adult Nursing Practice
- Partnerships II: Developing Effective Working Practices
- Medicine Management for Adult Nursing
- Integrated Professional Practice
- Partnerships III: Managing Collaboration
- Making Decisions and Using Evidence
- Nursing Management: Adult Nursing Consolidation (double)
- Research Awareness and Critical Appraisal
- Optional Module (from a range of choices)
- Dissertation (double)
Study abroad
Students can take an optional module, Health and Social Care Elective. This is a self-organised and self-funded practice placement anywhere in the world, lasting a minimum of two weeks.
Information about exchanges, European work placements and other study abroad programmes is available here.
Practice experience
Nursing practice is a key element of the course and students undertake seven placements during their degree. First-year students start their practice in week eight of their first semester.
The course offers a very strong simulated practice experience, which was highlighted by the university's selection as a pilot for the NMC Simulation of Practice Project 2006/07.
Within the constraints of the timetable, students may work both day and night shifts according to the shift pattern used within the practice setting. This allows you to experience care as it is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is in accordance with NMC (2010) standards for pre-registration nursing education.
We have strong collaborative links with placement partners in both the NHS and the independent sector in the delivery and development of the curriculum, and this ensures our students are fit to practise. Oxford and its region are home to many specialist centres that are at the forefront of research and practice development. One example of this is the Oxford Cancer Centre, part of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust. This means that our students are able to gain experience in placement settings that have national and international reputations for innovation and the quality of care offered to patients and their families.
We offer a range of support mechanisms, within both the university and the placement area, throughout your programme of study. While on placement, you will be supported by a named member of staff known as a mentor, as well as a link lecturer from the university.
We have a dedicated Practice Education Unit that provides administrative and academic support for placement learning/practice education for all its pre-qualifying courses.
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
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Department
Department of Clinical Health Care
Professional accreditation
The adult nursing course prepares students for professional registration on level 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Professional Register for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors, as well as carrying the academic award of a bachelor's degree.
Course length
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 7 years maximum (limited part-time places available)
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Marston Road / Ferndale Campus, Swindon
Start date
September
2013
January
2014
UCAS code
(Oxford based) B701 BSc/NT
(Swindon based) B700 BSc/NTS
Fees / funding
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Funding and scholarships
Students from the UK and EU will have their fees paid by the NHS, even if they have previously received public funding for higher education. Please read our financial help leaflet for more information.
For general sources of financial support, see:
Apply / Entry reqs
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Typical offers
A-level: grades BCC or equivalent (preferably including a science subject)
Screening
All applicants will be screened for fitness for practice and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be made.
Specific entry requirements
GCSE: 5 passes at grade C or above, including Mathematics, English Language and a science subject
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and from both genders. Mature students are also encouraged to apply.
BSc (Hons) typical offer requirements:
- 5 GCSEs (including Mathematics, English Language and a science subject) at grade C or above, or equivalent, or
- Access. 45 credits at Level 3 (to include 12 Level 3 credits in Biology) and 15 credits at Level 2 (to include 12 Level 2 credits in Maths if a GCSE at grade C or above has not previously been achieved). 12 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 12 Level 3 credits at Merit are expected.
PLUS
- 3 A-levels, grade BCC (science preferred), or equivalent.
All shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview.
Please also see the university's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
An IELTS score of 7.0 (minimum score of 6.5 in each component) is required, in addition to any of the above, for ALL applicants whose first language is not English.
Please also see the university's standard English language requirements.
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Full-time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
Students wishing to start in January (Oxford only) should apply through UCAS.
International applications
There may be opportunities for international applicants to study Adult Nursing at Oxford Brookes. International student places are not funded by the NHS. For more details, please contact the Programme Administrator.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Student experience
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Specialist facilities
We have excellent teaching facilities including dedicated clinical skills suites and fully-networked computer rooms. Our simulation resources include a very well-equipped movement laboratory, a family of computerised simulation manikins, including a sim-man, and an extensive range of anatomy models. We also have excellent library resources, accessible through both the web and a range of locally-based facilities on university and NHS sites.
The Ferndale campus at Swindon has facilities that will enable you to develop the academic, professional and clinical skills you will need to be a confident and competent health care professional. These facilities include comfortable seminar rooms, well-equipped lecture rooms and clinical skills suites designed for practising clinical skills in the context of hospital and community, including simulation manikins. We have an on-site library and resources accessible through the web, university and NHS-based facilities. There is a resource centre, refectory and easy access to computers networked to the Oxford site.
Support for students studying Adult Nursing
There is a range of support mechanisms for students. This includes academic advisers, who will facilitate your academic development, and student support co-ordinators, who provide a drop-in service for questions about any aspect of student life, covering both academic and personal welfare.
The university’s support services include Upgrade, which provides advice on study skills such as planning and writing essays, assignments and dissertations, research, and preparing for exams. They also give advice on statistics and maths. There is a dedicated Student Disability and Dyslexia Service, which provides support for students with disabilities including sensory and mobility impairments, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, mental health problems and medical conditions. The service's staff offer advice and support on a range of issues, including physical access, funding, alternative assessment arrangements and liaison with teaching staff to ensure that they are aware of your requirements.
General support services
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Accommodation
At Brookes we understand that when you live away from home it's important to be somewhere that you feel comfortable and safe.
After graduation
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Professional accreditation
The adult nursing course prepares students for professional registration on level 1 of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Professional Register for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors, as well as carrying the academic award of a bachelor's degree.
Career prospects
We have an excellent track record for high levels of student satisfaction, low student attrition rates and high employability. The majority of our students obtain a post within health care, usually in their area of first choice, by the time they graduate from the course.
Feedback from local employers about our graduates has been very positive. The knowledge and competency of our graduates are highly valued and they have developed excellent clinical and communication skills that enable them to work in any setting where adults are cared for.
Adult Registered Nurses have the opportunity, post-qualification, to develop careers in many specialist settings, such as intensive care units, accident and emergency, operating theatres or specialist wards where medical and surgical treatment is given. They can also work in the community, within district or practice nursing, in industry, or in the private sector. Opportunities exist to work abroad, in the armed forces, or in research, education or management.
Further information about nursing careers is available here.
Graduate profiles
- BSc/BSc (Hons) (pdf - 71Kb)
Further study
Nurses have to be effective lifelong learners because health care is becoming ever more complex as new treatment options and strategies are adopted. As a qualified nurse there are many opportunities to develop your skills through continuing professional development, which can range from short refresher sessions through to postgraduate study, including MPhils and PhDs. A wide range of courses is available at Oxford Brookes for continued professional development (CPD).
