MW0630 - Neonatal Special and High Dependency care

You will learn through lectures, seminars, group work, use of on-line resources and discussion boards, supported by group/individual tutorials.
This varied approach allows you as an individual and with Neonatal colleagues from many units to question the knowledge base that underpins Neonatal care and informs your professional role. Working within one unit can limit your ability to question practice. However, as all students in the module are from Neonatal units, and all share similar approaches to care, you can discuss different approaches with like-minded individuals, to identity areas for improvement and development in your specific area. Also, as units vary in intensity you will discuss practice and the evidence base underpinning the care of infants you may not care for.
The module runs at level 6 (graduate certificate) and level 7 (Masters level post graduate certificate). Students from both levels are taught together to reinforce the collaborative and sharing approach to learning through seminars and discussion. The level of inquiry, critique and ability to synthesis new knowledge and understanding in the summative final assignment is what separates the two levels.
You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined fully in the module handbook.

You will be supported by the module leader who will support you with general academic advice to help you achieve your full academic potential; this will include both informal discussions at a group level, and individual tutorials. Student led debates and case study presentations will also develop your academic skills. Discussion boards will be used to allow you to share ideas and post questions for the group while you are in practice.
Additional needs can be discussed with the module tutor as they arise. If you have an existing disability which affects your study performance, or believe you may have a disability that impacts on your ability to learn, you may be eligible to access help from the university student support team. The student support team will liaise with module tutor to ensure you are offered appropriate support to help you get the most from your studies.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will critically analyse the national, organisational and professional standards, guidelines and policies, alongside the evidence base which informs Neonatal specialist and high dependency care. Together with the contribution a Neonatal qualified in speciality nurse/midwife (QIS) makes to delivering sustainable specialist and high dependency care
2. You will conceptualise key concepts and theories in specialist practice to analyse dominant discourses in the context of specialist and high dependency care
3. You will apply knowledge and understanding to demonstrate how specialist and high dependency care is managed and coordinated at a regional level.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. You will critically apply legislation, professional guidelines, and ethical principles to professional practice
2. You will look critically at the specific care of an infant and family, to build intellectual knowledge and question professional practice.
3. You will recognise the role of collaborative working. With both the regional network and through a collaborative approach with parents/carers to deliver high quality specialist care.
4. You will critically reflect on your own intellectual, professional skills & abilities and develop action plans to problem solve and achieve personal and professional goals

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. You will work collaboratively with peers in a learning community, this will help you to develop professional networks and peer support opportunities
2. You will formulate action-plans to meet the module learning outcomes and your own personal, professional goals as part of a strategy for lifelong learning and professional learning

Formative assessment:
Verbal feedback will be given from the module lead and peers throughout the module during classroom teaching and seminars. You will also be able to engage in group discussion within the timetabled group tutorial and further online tutorials provided within the module.

Summative assessment:
The final assessment for this module is in two parts
1. A pass/refer anatomy and physiology written exam
2. A case study of an infant receiving specialist and high dependency care
3. Completion of a clinical competency document

Students will need to demonstrate:
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology/altered physiology of the developing fetus.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the evidence base underpinning the care received by the infant in the case study (LO 1,4)
• Critique and propose alternative approaches that can be undertaken to deliver the care needed. Ensuring service users and carers are effectively involved.(LO 2,3)

1. You will receive written feedback following your summative assessment and clinical competency, which will indicate the mark awarded for the module and areas for future development.
2. Anatomy and physiology exam will be returned in week 5

In order to access this module you must hold a degree level qualification

Neonatal intensive care

The module has been designed to meet the needs of nursing and midwifery staff caring for a special and high dependency infant in the Neonatal unit. The module, alongside the Neonatal intensive care module, lead to the award of graduate certificate (level 6) (Specialist Neonatal Practice). The module allows you to explore Neonatal practice with colleagues from many units in the region, to engage in discussion and debate to understand the complexities and challenges caring for an infant and their family receiving special and high dependency care.
The module explores the specialist needs of infants in Neonatal units, to understand how thermoregulation, nutrition, pain management and infection control among many topics. You will also understand the physiological changes as an infant adapts to extra uterine life, and how problems with this transition lead to infants requiring your care.