Adult Critical Care Foundation Course

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.

• 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: 

  • Respiratory 

  • Cardiovascular 

  • Neurological 

  • Abdominal and Renal 

  • Integumentary and Medicine Management 

  • Human Factors, Teamwork and Communication 

  • Transfers 

  • Study Skills and Assignment Writing

• Study Time and Assessment

  • Each learner will have access to Moodle and the course content for 12 months from enrolment.

  • We estimate that the total study time to complete the entire course content will be approximately 35 hours.

  • Moodle has the ability to monitor learner engagement and progress to ensure study leave is being used appropriately.

  • A professional oral presentation forms part of the assessment process, giving learners the opportunity to develop their presentation skills and demonstrate evidence-based practice, supported by appropriately referenced presentation materials.

  In order to successfully complete the foundation course and receive a certificate of achievement, students will be required to:

  • Complete all online learning materials.

  • Complete the Step 1 competency document

  • Deliver a professional oral presentation, supported by appropriately referenced presentation materials.

• Course Entry Criteria

  • Students must be registered nurses with current professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

  • Be working in an adult critical care environment, caring for level 3 patients, in which they can achieve the clinical skills required for the duration of the course.

  • Evidence of support from their line manager and practice educator.

• Course Fees

  • Course fees per student 2026 to 2027: total cost £150 (for NHS providers)

  • Non-NHS providers, please contact the programme lead for further details.

Student Experience

• Quote 10

  “Thank you so much for your kind words, congratulations and for the opportunity that you have given to us. I am beyond grateful and I truly appreciate your support and encouragement.

   

  I'm excited about the opportunities ahead and am thankful for the chance to make a positive impact in critical care nursing. Your confidence in my abilities means a lot to me.

   

  Thanks again, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my career”

• Edcel KSS - Aug 24

  "The course was not easy but totally worth it and extremely useful! Im looking forward to more ways I can continue to grow in the service of others."

• Candidate quote

  "The essay was a challenge which I enjoyed doing as I am passionate about my topic. I learnt where I can improve my practice and I look forward to potentially doing a quality improvement project in the future”.

• Candidate quote

  "Thank you for the support and guidance. I am sure that this course will be a strong base for my critical care Nursing Journey.”

• Quote 12

  “I don't have any past experience related to writing such works Thank you for giving such a big opportunity to learn, its a wonderful platform for new comers”

• Quote 27

  "This course has been an incredibly valuable resource for me, providing a thorough understanding of each body system. The wealth of information I have gained will undoubtedly enhance my practice and enable me to provide better care for my patients. I found all the topics extremely useful in enhancing my professional practice.

  I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from these resources and look forward to applying what I have learned in my daily work."

• Quote 4

  "I now have a better understanding of underlying respiratory pathophysiology which will help me make sense of the conditions people are in ITU with. I now also understand the different modes and functions of ventilators in a bit more depth"

• Quote 30

  "All the topics regarding Cardiovascular were useful to me starting from the anatomy until medications management since I just started working in intensive care unit and dealing with patients who have cardiovascular problems, it helps me to better understand how cardiovascular system works and being able to safely manage patient's and apply the knowledge that I learn from the topics.

  The Cardiovascular unit was not an easy topic for me before, however when I was enrolled in this program I find it easier to understand and relate it to my patient's case. All the topics were concise and with resources which help enhance more of my knowledge on cardiovascular."

• Quote 5

  "I have a better understanding on how to monitor patients on ventilator support and also see a better picture wholistically on the physiologic status of the patient not only on a respiratory point of view but also the effects on other systems of the body. Also, I gained a better understanding on tracheostomies"

• Quote 6

  "All topics will help me in practice but medications, blood gases, modes of ventilation are very useful"

• Quote 8

  "I now better understand cardiac output as well as recognising common irregular ECG rhythms. I have also begun to understand how cardiac drugs work in the body" 

Stakeholder Experience

• Cintia - September 2025

  "We are delighted to continue to send our staff to the TV&W courses, you have all developed extraordinary courses that have had a major impact in the standardisation of the Education pathways but equally helped us to improve our standards through the development of staff with methodical approaches."

• Anila - Oct 24

  "Your feedback (on the candidates 'critical review' essays) has been extremely helpful. I have ensured further support and practice opportunity so they could develop further.

  The feedback regarding the online Moodle content was quite positive on discussion. The nurses found the Moodle content engaging and revealed that our practical training days have been very helpful, especially in consolidating some of the concepts learned online.

  I would especially like to thank you for the timely reports you sends us. It has been invaluable for the education team as well as the line mangers to gauge the nurses progress, and engagement with learning. We could visibly observe their progress and confidence on the shop floor when the nurses engaged with their learning.

  Thank you for your time and the support you have offered to our Foundation Programme nurses.

  It is hugely appreciated.”

• Tanya - March 24

  "I want to give you some feedback about the quality of the learning on the course, as one of my students has told me how interesting, in-depth but understandable, and how enjoyable he is finding it. One of our Senior nurses also commented on how good the content was. We appreciate being able to access this sort of support for our new nurses so thank you"

• South West - July 24

  “The students have commented on how great the content is. They are very grateful for the opportunity because they feel there is nothing else for those that don’t want to do the ITU course. The essay is a really valuable experience, particularly for the international nurses who may have never written an academic assignment.”

• Sarah S - Sept 24

  "It's so helpful to receive these reports monthly.  It really helps to target those that are struggling and to facilitate sign off of completed systems (within the step 1 competencies)

  Many Thanks"

• Quote 16

  "Our candidates have loved being on the Thames Valley & Wessex Foundation Course"

• Greta - July 24

  "I am writing to thank you for the updates as these are extremely helpful to understand how our new starter are progressing. Thank you for your help and support"

   

• Quote 15

  "Thank you, as always for all your hard work in supporting our staff"

• Lucy B - July 24

  “Thank you very much for the access (to the Foundation Course). I have shown some of the senior ICU nursing team who are also very impressed with the content!”

• Quote 17

  "The progress reports have been really good and helpful. The support has been fantastic"

• Quote 18

  "The course has been a great success and extremely useful for our smaller units"

• Greta - March 24

  "Thank you for keeping us updated with all the progresses of our learners and for sending us the assignments/feedback.

  This is extremely helpful to catch up with our learner who do not seek for the support.”

• Quote 11

  “We have heard very good accounts about your Foundation (Step 1) course and are keen to enrol our staff as part of their professional development”

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 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