About the course

This course is designed for registered nurses currently working in a critical care setting. It will provide you with an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiological effects of critical illness to an advanced level, along with the examination of current evidence and developments in this field of care.

• Structured around the Critical Care National Network (CC3N) Step 3 competencies, your studies will focus on advancing your knowledge and applying skills in critical care practice.
• This course was designed and validated in conjunction with local employers and aims to develop you academically as well as clinically.
• You will be taught by experienced acute and critical care practitioners, some of whom have current and on-going clinical practice. Guest speakers with current clinical expertise will also contribute to the teaching.
• This module will develop/enhance your life-long learning and prospects of career progression.

Emphasis throughout the course will be placed on holistic assessment of the individual with the development of subsequent management plans from which to provide optimum care. To support the course theory and taught elements, your competency/practical skills will be assessed whilst working under the supervision of an experienced critical care practitioner/mentor in a relevant critical care setting.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is delivered through a range of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, simulation, practice based learning and guided study. Assessment will involve a presentation and submission of your Step 3 competency booklet. Your module specification/module handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria for this module.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

The University of Huddersfield operates an attendance monitoring system. Further details can be found in the Attendance Monitoring Policy.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

• Be a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registrant with 12 months experience and currently working in a critical care setting.
• You must have completed step 1 and 2 of The Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads Forum (CC3N) competencies prior to commencing the course.
• Have an honours degree at 2:2 or above, have studied at honours level or can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills at honours degree standard. We will consider other qualifications and experience on an individual case basis,
• To undertake this course, students must identify, negotiate and access relevant opportunities and experiences to demonstrate their skills and competencies in Critical Care under the supervision of an appropriately experienced/qualified mentor.