Welcome to your Advanced Clinical Practice course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as an Advanced Clinical Practice student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Welcome to your MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Course. This course is for designed for nurses, midwives, paramedics, emergency care practitioners, pharmacists, community matrons and other allied healthcare workers who are advanced practitioners or will be expected to fulfil an advanced practice role. This course is based within the four pillars of advanced practice these being leadership, education, research and clinical practice. Whilst on the course you will develop skills in advanced health assessment and diagnosis, Clinical decision making, Leadership, Research, Prescribing, and the application of evidence-based practice within either the Dissertation or Project-Based Change modules. The course program meets the standards set out within Health Education England (2017) multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice. The course has also been accredited by Health Education England and upon successful completion of the MSc students can apply to join the National Directory for Advanced Clinical Practice.

First activity

The course starts with two days of induction this will be on the 03 and 10 Sept 2024 where we will ensure that you are settled into the university. We will assist you with understanding what level 7 study is, ensure that you can access all our learning platforms and focus on the professional standards required to be an ACP.

Course delivery

You will learn Via a number of ways both traditional and contemporary to provide you with a varied learning experience.

By using a blended learning approach, we create a practice-focused, student-centred, flexible programme that develops your ability to:

  • Challenge advanced clinical practice
  • Engage in independent evidence-based decision making
  • Determine creative and innovative solutions to practice issues
  • Develop analytical and intellectual skills at Masters level

You’ll be linked with a Co-ordinating Education Supervisor and Work Placed Associated Supervisor, who is an expert in your clinical speciality. You’ll also receive support for personal and professional development from a senior clinical lead of the same profession who acts as your mentor throughout the award.

Classroom learning will include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Groupwork
  • Role plays
  • Debates
  • Simulated activities and skills sessions
  • Clinical sessions with service users in the clinical laboratories

At the end of each module, you will be assessed using a variety of assessments:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Case studies
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations etc.
  • Exams
  • OSCEs

Semester one activities

Students will undertake a number modules over a three year period, these modules will depend on what pathway they are taking. All pathways will enable the students to meet the HEE standards

Students will be required to attend university one day per week.

Pre-Learning

  • You will be sent a power point presentation which is entitled Preparing for your ACP MSc studies this is produced by the university and the association of Advanced Practice Educators. We would encourage you to
  • Read the section around the advanced practice frameworks and specific Country frameworks - England, Wales, Scotlandand Ireland AHP and NursingSpend time with advanced practitioners who have graduated from the programme
  • Speak to current students enrolled on the MSc programme
  • Ensure you have submitted all requested information from the admission team - failure to do so will result in delayed enrolment
  • Ensure you have your mentors in place ready for the start of the MSc
  • Start developing a network of professional support
  • Start planning, you need to be super organised while studying for an MSc. Planning will help.

At University you will write assignments in many formats, but most require the same standard of academic writing. You need to grasp two main concepts - what it is and how to write it but, to get you started, there 5 key features:

  • Objective - based on facts and research rather than feelings or opinions.
  • Formal language - make your point clearly and accurately, and develop language appropriate to your subject.
  • Passive voice - this means concentrating on the action which has taken place rather than who performed it. This involves not using personal pronouns (for example: I, we, me, our) unless you are writing a reflection.
  • Structured - you need to plan your work so that it guides the reader step by step from the introduction, through your argument supported by evidence, to the conclusion.
  • Includes citations and references - an essential part of academic writing is to provide evidence of research and acknowledge your sources.

For more information visit:

Helpful resources and books

DBS

Students will be required to be in date for their DBS

Equipment and software

A lap-top computer is advised so you can take notes during taught sessions and write your assignments. Digital software, for example Microsoft 365 pro, is available for free download during your time on the course and is useful for all areas of the course, offering cloud storage for your assignments so you can access them from any device and Outlook for email communication.

You will also be able to use our Lap Top loan facility should you find yourself needing to borrow a laptop for the day.

Software link: https://staffsuniversity.sharepoint.com/sites/software/SitePages/Home.aspx

Other Useful Links

Meet the team

Katherine James

Senior Lecturer

Katherine's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you in September.

If you have any questions, please send them to your Course Leader: Katherine James, Katherine.James@staffs.ac.uk 

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