Course Overview
The Foundation Course delivers a blended approach to the education of nurses who are new to the critical care environment or within their first year of critical care nursing. Much of the teaching content is online and asynchronous which improves access to and inclusivity of educational opportunities. In addition, the course can be offered to a wider geographical area with the aim of standardising the education of new critical care nurses.
The programme is mapped to the National Standards for Critical Care Nurse Education (CC3N, 2018). The programme contains a work-based element which includes the completion of the National Competency Framework for Critical Care Nurses, Steps 1.
Our Foundation Course is online, asynchronous, and self-directed. Nurses enrolled on the course can access the content whenever and wherever they like. There is no rigid structure or set study days, which can improve rostering allowing nurses from the same unit to have different study leave.
Course content is tailored for those who are new to the critical care environment or within their first year of critical care nursing.
There are fortnightly drop-in clinics for all learners to access if they have questions or require support and guidance throughout the course. As well as easy to follow orientation activities and discussion forums creating a friendly environment where nurses across the network can share ideas, experiences and feel more involved.
The course uses a variety of learning materials to keep the content engaging, including pre-course workbooks, videos, interactive presentations, branching scenarios, online quizzes and links to additional resources.
Modules are peer reviewed by Clinical Educators from across the South of England, to ensure the content is relevant and current.
The Foundation Course is supported by Oxford Brookes University who provide valuable insight to how we make the course more accessible, interactive and engaging. Oxford Brookes University also provide guidance and resources on academic writing, reflective practice, referencing, literature searches and critical appraisals.
- Module Information
The course focuses on the theoretical/academic aspects of the step 1 competencies. It is designed to support and compliment Clinical Educators teaching the practical elements through a blended approach between network and units.
The programme consists of easy-to-follow units:
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Respiratory
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Cardiovascular
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Neurological
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Abdominal and Renal
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Integumentary and Medicine Management
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Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication
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Transfers
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Study Skills and Assignment
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- Study Time and Assessment
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Each learner will have access to Moodle and the course content for 12 months from enrolment.
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We estimate the total study time to complete the entire course content will be approximately 35 hours.
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Moodle has the ability to monitor learner engagement and progress to ensures study leave is being used appropriately.
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A written assignment forms part of the assessment process giving learners an opportunity to practice their academic writing and embed evidence-based practice.
In order to successfully complete the foundation course and receive a certificate of achievement you will be required to:
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Complete all of the online learning material.
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Complete the Step 1 competency document
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Undertake a 1500-word critical review of the literature
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Student Experience
Stakeholder Experience
How to apply:
To enrol on the Thames Valley and Wessex Adult Critical Care Foundation Course please notify your Clinical Educator of your interest and they will submit your name, contact details and which trust you are from to either Lynette Kinnaird or Carl Ridgley.
We have bi-monthly enrolments throughout the year: January, March, May, July, September, November and we will send out joining instructions once the relevant information has been received.
Carl Ridgley
Adult Critical Care Education Facilitator
c.ridgley1@nhs.net
Lynette Kinnaird
Network Education Administrator
lynette.kinnaird@nhs.net