Advanced Practice MSc

Modernising Nursing Careers

www.nm.stir.ac.uk/applicants-pg

The MSc in Advanced Practice reflects a number of specific drivers within working practice and legislation: Modernising Nursing Careers. The integration and collaboration with clinical experts, specialist agencies, research centres and keynote experts ensures the programme has a robust and credible practice base in both its delivery and application. This initiative addresses the changing frame of health, social, public and voluntary sector workers – whereby collaboration and shared working is recognised as meeting the needs of the individual worker, patients, public and carers.

Key publications that give background to the MSc:
Setting the Direction (DOH, 2006); Better Health; Better Care (NHS Scotland, 2007); Senior Charge Nurse Review (NHS Scotland, 2008); Delivering Health Leading Better Care: Report of the Senior Charge Nurse Review and Clinical Quality Indicators (NHS Scotland, 2008)

Clinical doctorates are also available from the Department of Nursing & Midwifery.

Programme Objectives

The Advanced Practice programmes are specifically designed for practitioners in health and social care, allied health professions, pastoral care and the voluntary sector who engage with a broad range of individuals with differing health and social care needs.

Each of the themed programmes aims to equip you with the ability to challenge theory, practice and effectiveness within the core elements of the programme as well as in your chosen specialist fields.

We aim to develop your ability to critically examine theoretical frameworks which can be integrated within your advanced practice. Autonomous and multi-professional working allows students from differing professions to work innovatively and learn collaboratively, in keeping with the ethos of cross-sector partnerships in health and social service provision.

Entrance Requirements

Candidates should hold a degree or degree equivalent from a university or college recognised by the University of Stirling. A professional qualification plus relevant experience may be accepted as equivalent. Selection follows consideration of written application, professional references and possible review/consideration of prior academic work/experiential learning.

 

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your proficiency such as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (minimum 6 in each skill) or TOEFL 577/233/90 (Paper/Computer/Internet).

 

Funding

For information on possible sources of funding, visit: www.stir.ac.uk/postgrad/finance. Additionally, applicant packs include listings of potential charitable funding sources.

 

Programme Start Date

All taught modules commence in the first week of September and February. The first core module commences each September.

Modes of Study

Part-time: from September 2009 for 3 years

Stand alone modules: available Spring and Autumn

Full time route: available from September 2010 for 2 years

 

Programme Director

Sandra Menzies

Department of Nursing & Midwifery

Structure and Content

The Advanced Practice programmes share two core modules in first year before the student chooses their specialist modules. Each 15-week module is SCQF level 11 with 15 or 30 credits. The dissertation is worth 60 credits. Modules are provided in the Autumn and Spring semester.

The first year modules are:

• Gateway to Advanced Practice
• The Advanced Practitioner
• Work-based Learning

The completion of the specialist themed module in your second year when linked to a related subject in the thesis provides you with a named MSc in Advanced Practice e.g. MSc in Advanced Practice (Long-term Conditions).

Completion of an optional module of your choice in your second year consolidates your learning within a particular aspect of Advanced Practice.

The thesis can be completed in a number of ways: research study, work-based project or an affiliation with one of the established research groups within the Department for a specific part of a research study.

Delivery and Assessment

The programme can be completed over three years part-time or full-time for two years from 2010.

Each module incorporates blended learning approaches which provide opportunity for campus-based learning (maximum three days per module) and self-directed, web-based learning framed by online activities. You are encouraged to embed your learning within your practice, thereby advancing your critical understanding and application by completing directed activities, reading, seminars, tutorials and accessing student support online.

Each module, with the exception of the dissertation, is available as a stand-alone Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module.

Timetable

Contact the Department for information on your timetable and reading lists.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Advanced Practice programme provides opportunity to develop transferable skills therein optimising the ability of each student to impact on the experience of individuals, families and service providers within a range of clinical, social and pastoral settings within the UK and internationally. All modules are related to NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF), enabling you to clearly identify the core and specific dimensions within the KSF which can be achieved when you successfully complete your module/programme.

All modules can be linked to specific professional capability/competency frameworks within your practice area. You are encouraged to view your participation within the programme as a means of supporting your professional development plans (PDP) and career progression.

Research Opportunities

The Department of Nursing & Midwifery aims to provide a stimulating and varied environment for PhD and MPhil research students, who will benefit from the opportunity to study with large research groups engaged in research directly related to nursing, midwifery and allied health professions practice. We aim to provide both full and part-time research students with the necessary support and supervision to successfully complete a PhD or MPhil within the required period.

We offer students the opportunity to study for research postgraduate degrees by research in all five research programme areas:

• Participation and Decision-Making: led by Professor Len Dalgleish
• Enhancing Self-Care: led by Professor Sally Wyke
• Improving Health Outcomes: led by Professor Andrew Watterson
• Education Research and Development: led by Dr Annetta Smith
• Maternal and Child Health: led by Dr Helen Cheyne

The Department is home to three flagship research centres, whose staff contribute across these programmes:

• The Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, funded by the Chief Scientist’s Office: directed by Professor Kate Niven and co-hosted by the University
• The Cancer Care Research Centre, directed by Professor Nora Kearney, which has a unique focus on improving cancer care based on understanding of patients’ and carers’ experiences
• The Alliance for Self Care Research, a Stirling-led consortium of five universities and five NHS trusts: directed by Professor Sally Wyke
  

The Scottish Primary Care Mental Health Research and Development Programme is led by Professor Margaret Maxwell of the NMAHP Research Unit.

For more information on the Department‘s research activity, see: www.nm.stir.ac.uk/research

If applying for an advertised project you are not required to provide a research proposal. If you have secured your own funding (including if you are self funding) you should provide a 1,000-word outline of your proposed project to support your application.

Research Proposal

If applying for an advertised project you are not required to provide a research proposal. If you have secured your own funding you should provide a 1,000-word outline of your proposed project to support your application.

RAE Rating

The UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed the quality of the work being done by our researchers. 85% of the University of Stirling’s research has been judged to be internationally excellent and internationally recognised, with the top 10% of that judged to be world class.

View the full outcomes of Stirling’s RAE performance

 

Use the online enquiry service to find out more or to request a prospectus.

If you are ready to apply you can fill out an online application form now.