Fundamentals of General Practice - Module / BSc / AdvDip / GradCert / PgCert
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry
This course will provide a solid foundation to further develop your career as a General Practice Nurse. The course will develop your clinical, academic and research skills. You will focus on the health needs of the general practice population alongside the core skills required to work as part of the interdisciplinary team....
- Level Top-Up Pathways
- Study mode Part Time/Work Based Learning
- Location City South
- Award Module / BSc / AdvDip / GradCert / PgCert
- Start date March 2024
- School School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Overview
This course will provide a solid foundation to further develop your career as a General Practice Nurse. The course will develop your clinical, academic and research skills. You will focus on the health needs of the general practice population alongside the core skills required to work as part of the interdisciplinary team. You will develop skills within your professional scope of practice working under the direction of a registered nurse.
Core skills, for example immunisation, cervical screening, ear care, wound care, contraception, and sexual health are covered in the first 20 credit module, Core Skills for Working in General Practice: Caring across the Lifespan. A focus on consultation and communication skills will develop your confidence in building rapport with people seeking care across the lifespan. The second 20 credit module Long Term Conditions and Population Health provides a comprehensive introduction to epidemiology, population health and the care of people with long term conditions. You will explore the impact of health inequalities on health outcomes. You will have the opportunity to learn about and practice motivational interviewing to support people through behaviour change. The third and final 20 credit module Professional Issues and Quality Improvement for General Practice Nurses will enable you to explore the general practice nurse role in the context of UK general practice services and appreciate the impact of policy on quality and the ethos of general practice. All 3 modules must be successfully completed to achieve the award.
What's covered in this course?
General practice is a rewarding and compelling environment in which to work, you have the privilege of caring for people from ‘cradle to grave’, engaging with the communities and families you care for. You will get to know them over several years through many life transitions. Understanding these transitions and the needs of people at different stages of their life is threaded throughout the course. Your role being the prevention of ill health as well as empowering people to manage and live well with health-related issues. Yet general practice today is also a demanding and high-pressured environment to work in, General Practice Nurses can feel isolated at times in comparison to working in a hospital setting. You will be consulting with large numbers of people and be under considerable time pressure. Therefore, managing your own stress, work-life balance and wellbeing is essential. You will be supported in developing your own strategies throughout the course to manage this and to be able to support others in your team. Communication, consultation, and time management skills underpin everything you do and there is a focus on this throughout the course. As your confidence and capability grow you will develop into an integral and key member of the team.
The course is delivered over 12-months with the three core modules delivered online synchronously via MS Teams. This means you will interact in real time with your fellow students and lecturer’s, except for the ½ day cervical screening practical session which is delivered on campus. The 3 modules equate to 32 study days in total and in addition you will require a minimum of 40 hours of supervised practice in the workplace with a practice assessor. We have experienced lecturers with a background in primary care nursing supported by subject specialist lecturers. You will learn through a variety of methods including simulation, role play, debate, and case study approaches. Options for on-campus tutorials are offered for those who wish to take this up, equivalent sessions will be offered online. Your learning will be supported by a practice assessor and supervisors within your work setting and this learning is an integral part of the course. The course team will support you and your assessor to create opportunities for you to develop in your role and successfully graduate from the course. You will be supported by a personal tutor from the teaching team throughout the course.
Why Choose Us?
- This course is regionally approved for General Practice Nurses
- All your essential training and education will be in one place.
- You'll benefit from learning in small groups, peer support and networking
- You'll have support from an experienced teaching team
- We have excellent links to practice
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: Module
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Self Funded
Pathway: Module only
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- TBC
-
TBC
Award: BSc
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Nursing Associates
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Work Based Learning
- 1 year
-
TBC
Award: AdvDip
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Registered Nurse
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Work Based Learning
- 1 Year
-
TBC
Award: BSc
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Registered Nurse
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Work Based Learning
- 1 Year
-
TBC
Award: GradCert
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Registered Nurse
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Work Based Learning
- 1 Year
-
TBC
Award: PgCert
Starting: Mar 2024
Funding: Employer Funded
Pathway: Registered Nurse
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Work Based Learning
- 1 Year
-
TBC
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
How to apply
Complete the online application form via the link above depending on the route you wish to take.
If you would like to apply for the self-funded route, please get in touch with Donna.Brookes@bcu.ac.uk.
Please fill in the below forms and send these in with your application:
Practice Assessor contact form
Entry requirements
To successfully apply for this course, you must:
- Be employed in the general practice setting for a minimum of 20 hours per week
- Be a Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
- Have support from your employing practice
- Have a foundation degree on entry
- Have Diploma in Higher Education or evidence of study at level 5 (to be discussed at application stage) for the BSc award
- Have a first degree for the Graduate Certificate award
- Have a first degree or evidence of study at level 6 for the PG Cert (to be discussed at application stage)
Course in Depth
Adv Cert / BSc / Grad Cert
To complete this course you must successfully complete all the CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
This module is designed to support registered nurses and nursing associates new to general practice to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. The module is designed to support you to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. This module can be accessed as a stand-alone module or as part of an award. The module encompasses the course aims being, practice led with a focus on interdisciplinary team working and being employability driven.
This module builds on the foundation provided by the Core Skills for Working in General Practice: Caring across the Lifespan module. The module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge and skills particularly related to the management of Long-Term Conditions. The growing number of people living with long-term conditions (LTC) is one of the biggest challenges facing our health and social care systems. General Practice Nurses (GPNs) are key clinicians for the delivery of care for those living with LTCs, with these individuals representing over 50% of general practice appointments. This module recognises that often people live with more than one LTC and GPNs are required to have the knowledge and skills to assess, manage and provide person-centred care across a range of conditions. This requires generic, as well as specialist skills and knowledge spanning pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology, and sociological perspectives which can impact on health outcomes.
This module is the final core module for the Fundamentals of General Practice course. It is also available as a stand-alone module for registered nurses. The module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge and skills to underpin the development of their career as a leader in the delivery of general practice services. It incorporates current policy initiatives, leadership skills and the knowledge required to deliver evidence-based high quality, services.
BSc (Nursing Associate)
To complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 40 credits) plus one optional module choice of which to be discussed with the course lead:
This module is designed to support registered nurses and nursing associates new to general practice to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. The module is designed to support you to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. This module can be accessed as a stand-alone module or as part of an award. The module encompasses the course aims being, practice led with a focus on interdisciplinary team working and being employability driven.
This module builds on the foundation provided by the Core Skills for Working in General Practice: Caring across the Lifespan module. The module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge and skills particularly related to the management of Long-Term Conditions. The growing number of people living with long-term conditions (LTC) is one of the biggest challenges facing our health and social care systems. General Practice Nurses (GPNs) are key clinicians for the delivery of care for those living with LTCs, with these individuals representing over 50% of general practice appointments. This module recognises that often people live with more than one LTC and GPNs are required to have the knowledge and skills to assess, manage and provide person-centred care across a range of conditions. This requires generic, as well as specialist skills and knowledge spanning pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology, and sociological perspectives which can impact on health outcomes.
Optional module 20 credits
PG Cert
To complete this course you must successfully complete all the CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
This module is designed to support registered nurses and nursing associates new to general practice to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. The module is designed to support you to develop the knowledge and skills required to work safely, providing high quality care in making the transition into the general practice environment. This module can be accessed as a stand-alone module or as part of an award. The module encompasses the course aims being, practice led with a focus on interdisciplinary team working and being employability driven.
This module builds on the foundation provided by the Core Skills for Working in General Practice: Caring across the Lifespan module. The module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge and skills particularly related to the management of Long-Term Conditions. The growing number of people living with long-term conditions (LTC) is one of the biggest challenges facing our health and social care systems. General Practice Nurses (GPNs) are key clinicians for the delivery of care for those living with LTCs, with these individuals representing over 50% of general practice appointments. This module recognises that often people live with more than one LTC and GPNs are required to have the knowledge and skills to assess, manage and provide person-centred care across a range of conditions. This requires generic, as well as specialist skills and knowledge spanning pathophysiology, pharmacology, psychology, and sociological perspectives which can impact on health outcomes.
This module is the final core module for the Fundamentals of General Practice course. It is also available as a stand-alone module for registered nurses. The module is designed to enable students to develop knowledge and skills to underpin the development of their career as a leader in the delivery of general practice services. It incorporates current policy initiatives, leadership skills and the knowledge required to deliver evidence-based high quality, services.
Students undertaking the level 6 and 7 versions of this course are taught alongside each other enhancing peer learning and interaction. Students undertaking the level 6 and 7 versions of this module are taught alongside each other enhancing peer learning and interaction. As a student enrolling on the level 6 option, you will be expected to meet the QAA level 6 descriptors and produce work that draws on a wide range of reading, critically evaluates issues, and concepts, making judgements to produce solutions and apply this new knowledge to your field of practice. Support to develop your academic skills and confidence in the interpretation of research will be offered throughout. On graduating from this course, you will therefore be well equipped to go on to further study at master’s level.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our School of Nursing and Midwifery is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.
See more of our skills facilities at City South
Centre for Skills and Simulation
The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.
Simulation Manikins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.
Our staff
Sue Shortland
Associate Professor – Primary Care
Sue qualified as a registered nurse in 1984 and a registered midwife in 1986. Sue worked for over 20 years in general practice as a general practice nurse and then as an advanced nurse practitioner and non-medical prescriber. Sue joined Birmingham City University in 2008 as a Senior Lecturer on the MSc Advanced Practice Course whilst also...
More about SueEnquiries
Course enquiries
For course enquiries please contact Donna Brookes on:
Health CPD courses
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