MQF Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies
Diploma
MQF Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies
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Course Description
This programme is built upon the competences, knowledge and skills as established by the EU Directive 2013/55.
This programme is designed to lead the candidate nurse through a study journey to advance in knowledge, skills and competences amidst the challenges presented in a a multicultural health care service. The study programme focuses also on providing learning opportunities of working within a multidisciplinary team in different health settings. The content includes developmental, physical physiological and spiritual aspects of human health as well as tools to deal with illness and challenging behaviour.
The study journey provides learning opportunities both on campus – theoretical and simulation sessions – and work placement clinical practices within a multidisciplinary team in different health clinical settings.
The ultimate aim of practice is always the optimal delivery of care to the patient in care. With this in mind, this programme has been designed following the requirements and parameters of nursing responsibilities as established by ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM).
Also, this programme focuses on the Maltese legislations related to the sector and promotes the ‘Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives’, of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta.
The course is structured in three mandatory components:
- Modular Component
- Simulation Sessions
- Work Placement in Health Settings.
Completion of this study programme will allow successful candidates to be eligible to apply for registration as first level nurses with the Maltese Council of Nurses and Midwives.
Modular Component
Nine (9) Modules will help introduce and/or update new concepts and legislations in nursing while covering the underpinning knowledge to achieve the required competences and skills. This component is based on the scope of professional practice as established by the EU Directive 2013/55 and ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM). The Modules are mandatory lecturer-led activities which include class lectures, online sessions, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities, fora and peer discussions promoting peer-to-peer learning.
Simulation Sessions
This programme includes simulation practices where learning opportunities are available to undertake training integrating theory to practice enabling the achievement of required competences. The simulation hours form part of the contact hours of modules 1, 2, and 6 in an effort to support the theoretical component. IDEA Academy uses simulation sessions as a model of training that takes place within a controlled environment on-campus. The candidate nurses role-play with a simulated patient to replicate nursing care. Simulation practices address a variety of nursing clinical skills carried out by the candidate nurse under the guidance of the supervisor.
Work Placement in Health Settings
Work Placements are mandatory for the successful completion of this programme. To ensure that the nurse is equipped with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary to practice as a competent and professional nurse the candidate nurse is required to do clinical Work Placements in six (6) different health settings, as listed below. Work Placement of 510 hours is carried out in 6 different health settings:
- Setting 1: Medical & Surgical Care
- Setting 2: Elderly Care
- Setting 3: Mental Health Care
- Setting 4: Community Care
- Setting 5: Mother and Child Care.
Each Work Placement setting provides a learning opportunity where candidate nurses can work in clinical nursing practice to further develop their skills and competences reflecting the competences requirements of the EU Directive 2013/55.
The main goal of the Work Placement is to ensure that the candidate nurse is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competences necessary to practice as a competent and professional nurse in Malta.
While on their work placement students are assigned to a specific supervisor in each health setting. The assigned supervisor will be a registered first level nurse with a minimum 2 years clinical experience and with a track record in supervising other nurses.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- Possess a minimum qualification at MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing.
Upon completion of this programme the candidate will have obtained a total of 4600 hours, half of which will be clinical hours and one third theory as per EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English language capability at either:
– Academic IELTS level 6.0 or equivalent.
OR
– OET with a minimum of a ‘B’ grade in speaking and a minimum of ‘C+’ in writing, reading, and listening.
Please ensure that you have all requirements in place, as stipulated on the website of the Council of Nurses and Midwives.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at:
Nurses who are in possession of a minimum qualification at MQF Level 4 (or comparable as per MQRIC) in Nursing, who need to upgrade their knowledge, skills, and competences in order to apply for registration with the Maltese Nursing and Midwifery Council as first level nurses.
In order to apply for registration, the students would need to have met the competences and the total number of theory and clinical hours as established in the Directive 2005/36/EC, bearing in mind that this MQF Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies will not make up more than 30% of the required 4600 hours.
Career Paths
This Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies (60 ECTSs) aims to equip target audience with the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in this course specifications.
Nursing Studies allows successful candidates to be eligible to apply for registration as first level Nurses with the Maltese Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Modules
You are required to complete all 9 compulsory modules (60 ECTS) and the work placement to fulfil the requirements of this diploma
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MQF Level 5 Diploma in Health Sciences – Nursing Studies
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Summative Assessment
- Work Placement Clinical Practices
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Course Intake Dates
March/ April 2025
Additional Information
Kindly be advised that the cost of the Nursing Uniform, which is mandatory, is not encompassed within the tuition fee and will incur additional expenses.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
Learning Outcomes
For Knowledge:
The learner will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of nursing responsibilities in providing professional care as established by the EU Directives 2013/55 and the ‘The Scope of Professional Practice’ of The Council for Nurses and Midwives, Malta (CNM).
- Apply supervisory and people management skills related to working with multidisciplinary teams in providing a holistic approach to health care.
- Practice effectively and uphold professional responsibilities and accountability.
- Work safely and show utmost respect towards colleagues.
- Promote professionalism and maintain public trust and confidence.
- Independently give advice to, instruct and support persons needing care.
- Convey ideas, in a well-structured and coherent way to peers, supervisors and clients using qualitative and quantitative information.
- Communicate proficiently and professionally within a health care context.
- Evaluate own learning and identify learning needs necessary to undertake further learning.
- Engage with fellow students in peer learning process to share own learning and development and assess and comment on progress of others in context of material being taught.
- Enhance their career by developing advanced knowledge and understanding to systematically and creatively upgrade their health care related practices.
For Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Develop adequate clinical experience, under the supervision of qualified nursing staff and in places where the number of qualified staff and equipment are appropriate for the nursing care of the patient.
- Ability to participate in the practical training of health personnel and experience of working with such personnel.
- Develop adequate experience of working together with members of other professions in the health sector.
- Demonstrate transfer of theoretical and practical knowledge, in proposing solutions to health care problems of patients.
- Assess the needs of people with health issues and understand the importance of knowing how to apply steps to deal with those issues.
- Analyse different techniques relevant to management of developmental, physical, psychological, spiritual and mental aspects of human health.
- Develop an ability to apply technical and problem- solving techniques.
- Prioritize according to patients critical needs and show highest respect to the patient.
- Develop a plan of action for teamwork where needed in a nursing environment.
- Apply supervisory and people management skills related to working with multidisciplinary teams in providing a holistic approach to health care.