Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses and Midwives

Code

NURS4192

School

Nursing

Level

4

Credits

40

Semesters

Autumn UK, Spring UK, Summer UK

Summary

This course considers:

• Law, accountability and ethics of prescribing;
• Prescribing in a public health context;
• Psychology of, and influences on, prescribing;
• Prescribing in a team context;
• Consultation, decision making and therapy including referral;
• Pharmacology and therapeutics;
• Organisational leadership in relation to prescribing;
• Continuing professional development.

Target Students

NMC registered nurses and midwives with more than one year clinical experience

Classes

Lead lectures: 30 hours Group work: 10 hours Tutor directed distance learning: 140 hours Independent learning: 220 hours

Assessment

• 30% Coursework: 2,000 word critical application of the principles of law, accountability and ethics to a patient prescribing scenario from supervised practice.
• 30% Presentation: Presentation of the evidence base, pharmacology and therapeutics and related continuing professional development of the prescription of a single drug within a specified client case.
• 20% Assessment: Assessment of Prescribing Competency Standards (RPS 2021) by Practice Assessor. Evidence of 78 hours recorded within a learning log and assessment of a prescribing consultation.
• Assessment: Prescription (Pass/Fail)
• Assessment: Clinical Management Plan (Pass/Fail)
• Exam 1: Assessment of numeracy skills relating to prescribing (Pass/Fail).
• 20% Exam 2: Unseen pharmacology exam

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Critically discuss the legal, ethical and professional framework for accountability and responsibility in relation to the legal parameters of independent and supplementary Non-Medical prescribing at individual, client group, team and organisational level. Reflects, is aware of own limitations and works within professional competence.

Describe the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug groups which they intend to prescribe. Demonstrate a contextual understanding of the pharmacology and therapeutics of drug groups in varied populations.

Understand the conditions being treated and the impact of co-morbidities, altered physiology and drug-drug interactions as well as social and environmental factors on drug response.

Critically appraise and synthesise information obtained from the various dimensions of clinical assessment. Formulate a differential diagnosis and critically discuss how the findings of clinical assessments inform clinical decision making in prescribing situations applying relevant national frameworks.

Take and present a systematic clinical history to include medical history and detailed medication history which includes: allergy status, prescribed and over the counter medicines, complementary and herbal remedies.

Critically evaluate the options when prescribing on individuals, groups and the wider population including; non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments, de-prescribing, patient factors, clinical evidence, cost effectiveness and public health including antimicrobial stewardship.

Conveners

• Mr James Musk
• Kate Morris