The
programme
The programme has two elements: theory and practice. There is a strong
focus on the integration of theory and practice and overseas students
undertake both elements simultaneously, on a full time basis.
Prerequisites and admission
Overseas nurses will be required to secure a supervised practice
placement, work permit/visa prior to commencement of the programme.
The overseas student will also require a current NMC decision letter,
which confirms the applicant's suitability to undertake the overseas nursing programme, to include 20 days protected learning and supervised practice.
Applicants who come
from countries where English is not the first spoken language are
required to undertake the IELTS (language test) and achieve the
Academic Standard at 7.0 or above, prior to admission onto the programme.
The International English Language Test is not designed to assess
professional communication skills. Development of communication
competence is an vital element of the programme. (NMC Consultation
2003). Normally decision letters have a 2-year window of opportunity
to achieve registration.
Selection and application to the ONP will be following a period
of induction and orientation within the supervised practice placement.
This will be judged individually in partnership with the programme
lead (Jacqueline Cash) and clinical mentor. All overseas students
must have achieved mandatory training prior to commencement. This
should include CPR, Moving and Handling, Health and Safety, infection
control and food hygiene. Evidence of study skills including word processing and emailing access are essential.
Length of the programme
The length of the programme and period of supervised practice will
vary depending on the overseas nurse’s previous training,
experience, and competence. Whilst the minimum period for supervised
practice is determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council decision
letter it is intended that our programme will be a minimum of 16
weeks and a maximum of 2 years depending on personal circumstances.
This will enable overseas nurses to acquire the competencies required
for professional registration at a pace that meets the individual.
Cohort size
Student groups in the delivery centres will be no greater than 12
for the facilitated sessions at any one time. There will be a number
of cohorts running concurrently.
Clinical Practice Support
The programme is to be undertaken on a continuous full time basis,
with a named mentor throughout offering a minimum of 2 days direct
supervised clinical practice. The rationale for this is underpinned
by the assumption that in order to produce a safe and competent
practitioner continual supervision throughout adaptation to UK professional
practice is required (NMC 2005). Assessment of competence will utilise
the prescribed NMC competencies for entry to the register (NMC 2004b).
On successful completion of the programme , the overseas nursing student will be recommended for professional registration ( RN1 ) with the NMC, plus receive 20 credits at diploma level (II) from MMU.
Clinical placement audits will continue annually with documentation
and reports as appropriate.
Protected learning
The delivery of the programme will incorporate a number of modes.
The overseas student will be required to undertake 20 supernumerary
protected learning days throughout the programme. Service providers
will commit to this as part of the partnership arrangement. Overseas
students will attend 10 days facilitated protected learning at a
local delivery centre organised by the programme leader. Due to
the geographical locations of the overseas students, centres in
independent Nursing Homes/Hospitals have been established across
the UK.
The sessions will be led by centre tutors (JSC Associates) supported
by a range of professionals contributing in partnership with service
providers from predominately, the independent sector.
A theoretical learning log will be recorded by the overseas student
to ensure the 20 supernumerary protected learning days have been
achieved.
Directed and independent study will contribute to the total protected
theoretical learning required.
This will be supernumerary to clinical practice and paid time for student learning, facilitated be the clinical practice mentor.
Click
here to view the ONP Programme Timetable.
Student Support
Each student will be assigned a personal tutor who will be linked
to the local delivery centre. Individual support will be available
which may be face to face
or via electronic support. Mentors will be required to satisfy the
NMC requirements for Mentorship. In addition JSC will provide 1-day
mentorship update and development workshop annually. Mentors will
be supported through JSC Quality Monitoring Strategy.
Learning Resources
Students will be registered as external students with Manchester Metropolitan University and have access to a range of e-learning facilities.
Resource boxes containing reference materials will also
be on site (provided by JSC). A range of open learning materials
will be used to support student learning activities some will be
via email. Additionally students will be encouraged to join the
Royal College of Nursing to facilitate access to the library and
resource centres. The clinical placement setting will provide study
areas, as outlined in the educational audit documents for each service
provider.
References
Nursing & Midwifery Council (2003) Consultation document. NMC
London
Nursing & Midwifery Council (2004a) Standards for the preparation
of teachers of nurses, midwives and specialist community public
health nurses. NMC London.
Nursing & Midwifery Council (2004b) Requirements for the overseas
nurses programme leading to registration in the UK. Pp1-9 NMC London
Nursing & Midwifery Council (2004) Approval of Overseas Nurses
programmes. QA Fact Sheet. D8(ii) /2004 UK
Nursing & Midwifery Council (2004) Consultation on a standard
to support learning and assessment in practice. NMC. London
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2005) overseas nurses programme NMC
Circular 16/2005 UK
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