Delivering Safe Professional Care for People in Later Life (Hospital and Community)
16 Credits (ECTS)
Delivering Safe Professional Care for People in Later Life (Hospital and Community)
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€280 refund on this module
Module Description
This module focuses on introductory practice models that guide the care of older adults, helping them remain at home, prevent functional disability, and preserve their quality of life.
It covers specific interventions performed by healthcare workers to address the needs of older persons and their caregivers. By learning these models, students will understand how to respect patient values, ensure patient safety, and appreciate the psychosocial needs of older individuals.
The module also emphasizes Maltese legislation related to the sector, ensuring students are knowledgeable about local legal frameworks impacting elderly care.
This comprehensive approach prepares students to deliver effective, compassionate care while adhering to legal standards.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course will need to possess:
- Two A-levels, one of them preferably being in a science subject, or an equivalent qualification at MQF Level 4 (for example, a Level 4 Diploma in Applied Science).
- Either Biology or Chemistry or Health & Social Care at Intermediate level.
OR
- At least 1 of the following: Biology, Chemistry, or Health & Social Care at level 4 (advanced or intermediate)
- and at least 3 of the following: Physics, Sociology, Psychology, English, Maltese or Mathematics at level 4 (advanced or intermediate).
Applicants will also need to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English language by a valid International English Language Testing System level at overall level 6 or Occupational English Test with B in speaking and C+ in writing or Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate (MATSEC) pass at Grade 3 or better in English Language.
- Prior to commence the enrolling in any nursing programme, students should provide evidence of a clean conduct published by the respective police force or authority.
- In the case of those students who do not possess a Level 4 qualification, but who have a substantial amount of experience in the care industry and who possess O-level standard education, ca n be accepted into this Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing Science, on the condition that they undergo and acquire a pass in a Level 4 preparatory programme offered by IDEA College.
Furthermore, these students shall also undergo a RPL process in order to verify their work experience. Link to RPL Policy and Process: https://mt.ideaeducation.com/app/uploads/2022/09/Doc_007_22-Recognition-of-Prior-Learning-Policy-and-Process.pdf
Target Audience
This programme targets:
- Students who have completed their post-secondary education and would like to pursue a tertiary-level education in nursing.
- Older adults who have worked in different environments, but mostly in the care industry, who are interested in pursuing a programme in nursing.
- Individuals who are qualified in areas related to healthcare such as podiatry and physiotherapy and who are looking for or considering a career change in nursing.
Module / Unit Instructions
Clinical placement learning under the guidance of a mentor empowers the nurse to accept and exercise responsibility and accountability for independent learning, personal growth, and self-awareness and to demonstrate the competence required to be able to apply for a first level nurse.
A variety of teaching and learning strategies are used to facilitate building the student nurses’ development over time which may include:
- Supervised clinical nursing practice providing experiential learning and enabling the student nurse to achieve and demonstrate competence.
- Reflective discussions during supervised practice that facilitate critical awareness and reflective practice.
- Problem solving techniques which will enable the student nurse to assess and manage work in conjunction with peers.
How you’ll be assessed
This module comprises of:
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment of this module consists of three components:
- Formative development of clinical competencies.
- Summative Portfolio of evidence linked to skills development.
- Summative achievement of placement specific clinical competencies.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Observe and assess changes in the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects in old age and apply critical thinking skills.
- Apply various therapeutic activities among persons with dementia to enhance their quality of life.
- Differentiate between chronic problems, brain disorders, inherited diseases, and disabilities in the elderly which might impose changes in their quality of life.
- Formulate and implement a safe environment, ethical, patient-centred, holistic, and evidence-based care, also including health promotion and public health.
- Provide physical care and be responsible for the day-to-day nursing skills.
- Be autonomous and participate in the patient’s care plans including treatment.
- Demonstrate effective communication with older patients, their families, and with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary care team to facilitate holistic care plans for elderly people in care facilities and/or in primary care.
- Provide palliative care in end-of-life case scenarios.
Knowledge:
By the end of this module the student will have been exposed to the following indicative content:
- Observe and assess changes in the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects in old age and apply critical thinking skills.
- Apply various therapeutic activities among persons with dementia to enhance their quality of life.
- Discuss chronic problems, brain disorders, inherited diseases, disabilities, and other issues amongst the elderly which might impose changes in their quality of life.
- Formulate and implement a safe environment, ethical, patient-centred, holistic, and evidence-based care, also including health promotion and public health.
- Provide physical care and be responsible for the day-to-day nursing skills.
- Be autonomous and participate in the patient’s care plans including treatment.
- Demonstrate effective communication with older patients, their families, and with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary care team to facilitate holistic care plans for elderly people in care facilities and/or in primary care.
- Provide palliative care in end-of-life case scenarios.
Skills:
By the end of this module, the students will be able to:
- Demonstrate appropriate skills for observation, caring, and reassurance of elderly patients using a holistic approach according to the ethical and legal framework of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct for Nurses and Midwives, Council for Nurses and Midwives.
- Manage their time well.
- Apply evidence-based research into practice meeting all standards in nursing practice.
- Identify the 6 Rights of Medications being (right drug, patient, time, dose, route, and documentation).
- Understand that safety comes first when handling and transferring elderly clients.
- Become aware of the choice of food suitable for different elderly patients and ensure that all patients have the right access to good nutrition.
- Monitor food intake and educate relatives on the choice of food they bring for their loved ones.
- Chart and document the necessary documents in hospital/facility.
- Provide the daily nursing care and be able to document everything in the Nursing Report.
- Promote therapeutic activities and therapy to assist in mobilisation and social skills.
- Promote a healthy lifestyle and independence in practice through communication with patients and their relatives.
- Be assertive and accountable in decision-making and in managing the care of the patients.
- Collaborate in shared decision-making within the multi-disciplinary team during ward rounds and act as the patient’s advocate in cognitively impaired clients.
- Able to refer/consult with other specialities based on the client’s needs.
- Utilise different approaches to patient’s elderly care as appropriate for the patient’s needs and the care delivery situation.
- Recognise the differences in beliefs and cultural practices towards care for the elderly and alter approaches to care appropriately.
- Evaluate their own practice in nursing care for the elderly and adjust as needed to provide safe, effective, patient-centred care.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients in an elderly health setting and to communicate with other professionals in the multi-disciplinary team (verbal and non-verbal cues)
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Present own discussion and developments in a logical and organised manner through approaches of critical feedback and self-reflection.
- Engage with peers and/or team members to share and reflect on own development.
- Act as a Role Model.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.