Master of Nursing (MNurse)
This four-year integrated master’s degree will prepare you with the knowledge, skills and leadership qualities for a successful and rewarding career in nursing.
Why QMU?
- Your theoretical learning will be complemented with practice in our Clinical Simulation Suite and in a variety of health and social care settings.
- Small classes mean you will benefit from individual support from our highly experienced course team.
- In the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, we are ranked in the top 20% of UK universities for Nursing (15th out of 72).
On this course you will:
- Be able to register with the NMC and practise as a nurse.
- Be able to confidently deliver safe, effective and person-centred nursing care.
- Become part of a community of learners, working collaboratively with lecturers, clinical staff, service users and other students on a transformational journey towards registration.
- Actively engage in creative and critical ways of working and learning including approaches such as critical inquiry, reflection, contemplation, simulation and practice learning experiences.
- Carry out invaluable practice learning experiences (PLEs) that will enrich your learning.
As a nurse, you will be at the forefront of healthcare, meeting a broad range of people who truly need your expertise and empathy. Nurses are involved in promoting health and preventing illness in addition to caring for sick and dying people. This can take place in a variety of environments, which include health centres, homes, residential/care homes and hospitals. A career in nursing can take you into leadership and management, education and research, both at home and overseas. Wherever you choose to specialise in the future, as a nurse you will be an advocate for the people in your care. You will make a difference.
The course content is aligned to both the NMC Standards for Future Nurse Education and the Person-centred Framework for Nursing (McCormack and McCance, 2019). We therefore focus our learning units on parts of the framework which are: Metaparadigms, Pre-requisites, Care Environment and Person-centred Processes. These themes are developed across the four years and include group learning within a learning set and this is where you will build a personal portfolio of your learning in practice and in university.
Students will commence their studies with a view to graduating with a Master of Nursing (MNurse) in four years. There is an option for students to choose a BSc (Hons) route at the end of Year Two and complete the final two years at that level. For both routes, students will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC as a registered adult nurse. Over the four years you will complete a total of 4,600 hours of theory and practice experience that is split equally. The hours will be the same for the BSc (Hons) and master’s route. The main difference is the credit level of the academic work that will be higher in the master’s to allow for a higher level final qualification.
Year One
You will:
- Focus on the foundations of professional nursing care.
- Explore a range of influences on health, professional issues, skills for nursing practice, and the bio-sciences to inform person-centred care.
- Focus on the healthy person and healthy communities.
- Start to develop research and academic enquiry skills, which are embedded throughout the course.
- Begin to learn to meet the needs of people across the lifespan and what the key health challenges may be nationally and internationally.
- Prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings.
- Receive great support towards your own self-care, incorporating contemplative learning approaches.
Modules
- Exploring Nursing’s Metaparadigm in a Local Context
- Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 1
- Exploring Care Environments
- Person-Centred Processes in Nursing 1
- Active Learning Communities 1
Year Two
You will:
- Build on learning from Year One and learn how to plan and evaluate care in a person-centred way.
- Prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings.
- Learn how to assess and care for people as they cope and adapt to ill health, combining science subjects with nursing care.
- Focus on facilitating and supporting health and self-care in persons/family/carers.
Modules
- Analysing Nursing’s Metaparadigm in a Global Context
- Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 2
- Developing Person-Centred Teams and Cultures
- Person-Centred Processes in Nursing 2
- Active Learning Communities 2
Year Three
You will:
- Focus on the care of people with complex needs and increasing dependency in a range of settings.
- Focus on making person-centred judgements and decisions.
- Further develop leadership skills and the promotion of person-centred cultures in care environments.
- Explore healthcare governance and research evidence relating to effective, compassionate nursing practice.
- Prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings.
- Develop knowledge of the integration of health and social care through engagement with the voluntary sector.
Modules
- Applying Nursing’s Metaparadigm in Person-Centred Contexts
- Pre-Requisites for Person-Centred Practice 3
- Developing as a Person-Centred Facilitator and Leader
- Person-centred Processes in Nursing 3 (BSc (Hons) only)
- Person-Centred Processes in Nursing 4 (MNurse only)
- Active Learning Communities 3 (MNurse only)
Year Four
You will:
- Integrate previous learning to enable you to graduate with advanced skills.
- Complete a portfolio and develop research themes related to current healthcare priorities to support development of a dissertation/ final project.
- Experience more advanced assessment and practice learning experiences. This will prepare you for registration and include preparation for prescribing in the future and supervising students when registered.
- Prepare for and carry out practice learning experiences in a variety of settings.
Modules
BSc (Hons) route:
- Integrated Person-centred Nursing Practice for Human Flourishing
- Dissertation/Workplace Project
- Person-centred Assessment Skills
MNurse route:
- Integrated Person-centred Nursing Practice for Human Flourishing
- Master’s Research Dissertation/Project
- Advancing Person-centred Practice
Teaching, learning and assessment
Our aim in developing our new nursing course was to use a range of creative ways of teaching and learning to promote self-development and the skills for interacting with others. You will be facilitated to learn in lectures, seminars, practical laboratories and have practice learning experiences. Outside of timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning through self-study.
We aim to include creative ways of assessment that may involve student choice. Assessments include practical and written exams, assignments and group work.
Placements (Practice Learning Experiences)
A Practice Learning Experience (PLE) is offered each year.
PLEs provide the opportunity to integrate theory and practice by working directly with people in whichever setting they are.
PLEs can be in a variety of settings such as the community area, a hospital or care home. These may be in the Lothians, Borders and Fife.
Edinburgh Napier University manages the sourcing and allocation of PLEs for each student on this course.
The teams are always looking at widening opportunities for students and we are increasing the variety of available PLEs all the time. Introduction of third-sector PLEs and opportunities to work with specialist research nurses are being developed.
To enhance future employablity PLEs take place across across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. The additional costs associated with PLE travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
Exchange opportunities
There are no specific exchange PLEs available within the course, however, we promote available opportunities to students and these may include exchanges for a limited number of students and also volunteering opportunities which can be done in Summer break.
Careers
This course will give you the confidence and expertise you need to succeed in the field of nursing that you choose. Your professional prospects will be excellent. Our graduates are now working in acute medical and surgical areas, oncology, haematology, critical care, research, care of older people and rehabilitation, in the UK and overseas. Many have moved outside the traditional idea of a uniformed nurse in a hospital to forge careers in the community, the forces and postgraduate studies.
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBB, Minimum - BBBC
A Level: BCC
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H3 H3
International Baccalaureate: 30 points
International: IELTS of 7.0 with no element lower than 7.0
Required subjects: All combinations of qualifications must include a science and discursive subject at Higher or A Level. Science may include Chemistry and Physics as well as Biology or Human Biology. Discursive subjects include English, Philosophy, History, Modern Studies or Religious and Moral Education. You should have Maths and English at Nat 5 (B) if not studied at Higher level.
Mature/Access: Related Access course, see www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Applicants with Access qualifications must demonstrate a strong academic profile. We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant experience and qualifications.
Direct Entry:
Year Two
-
This is considered, depending on current numbers, on an individual basis.
For details of related HNC and HND courses, see: www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Other requirements:
- You will be offered immunisation against Hepatitis B.
- A satisfactory criminal records check is required. The NMC requires you to complete a declaration of good health and good character each year.
- Applicants are required to take part in an interview.
Professional registration /accreditation
Successful completion leads to eligibility to register (Registered Nurse {Adult}) with the Nursing and Midwifery Council) NMC.
Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables
For more information, please see ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.
Awarding body
QMU. For more information, please see ‘External Review’ section on the ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ page.
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Please note:
- The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2022) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2023. Please check back here for any updates.
- The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2023/24 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
- Teaching staff may be subject to change.
