Contemporary Issues in Nursing
Module Description
This module seeks to deepen students’ comprehension of the nurse’s vital role within socio-cultural, legal, and political frameworks.
It delves into contemporary issues within clinical practice and the workplace, addressing topics such as cultural awareness, and quality and safety in nursing practice.
Through active engagement, students identify and critically appraise issues relevant to their practice, fostering a nuanced understanding of the complexities and challenges inherent in healthcare delivery.
By exploring socio-cultural, legal, and political contexts, students are better equipped to navigate diverse healthcare environments, advocate for patient rights, and uphold standards of quality and safety in nursing practice.
Entry Requirements
- Candidates who apply for this course must possess a qualification equivalent to a Higher Diploma (120 ECTS) in Nursing accredited at MQF 5.
- Preference will be given to prospective applicants having a year of work experience related to the study programme.
Target Audience
- This programme is targeted at nurses who are registered with the Council for Nurses and Midwives Malta and/or other registering bodies.
Module / Unit Instructions
The proposed structure comprises a blended approach promoting the building of a community of practice via peer-to-peer learning. The structure uses primarily two dimensions of teaching-learning modes:
- Face to Face sessions
Face-to-face sessions include lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities promoting peer-to-peer learning.
- Online Learning Activities
Online learning activities incorporate tutorials and asynchronous discussions. These may consist of active interaction, participation and contributions in fora discussions, sharing resources and self-reflection exercises. Learners also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.
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:
- Formative Assessment
- Summative Assessment
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.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Additonal Info
Reading for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing top-up degree as presented in this brochure costs €4,000.*
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
*** For the price of individual modules, please contact the IDEA Academy team.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the ability to, independently:
- Analyse the influence of social organisation and health policy on professional nursing practice.
- Synthesize understanding of socio-cultural, political, and economic factors, and health system structures that influence clinical practice, education and safety in health care services.
- Justify a well-developed and articulated position statement on how to advance nursing practice.
- Apply cultural competence by incorporating cultural beliefs and practices into all aspects of practice.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Nursing as a Regulated Practice.
- Nursing Practice in the Health Care System.
- Issues in Contemporary Nursing.
- Transforming practice through clinical governance.
- Nursing’s pathways to Professionalism.
- Nursing’s Challenges.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Demonstrate knowledge of clinical governance and risk management for advanced nursing practice.
- Critically evaluate the role of clinical supervision in nursing practice.
- Critically contribute to and influence discussion on a range of contemporary issues of relevance to own practice and the discipline of nursing.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Critically analyse team communication needs and devise a plan for addressing these needs.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Improve personal time management and planning skills in relation to team management.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc