MSc Nursing (Top-up)

Why study this subject?

If you have already completed the PGDip Nursing (pre-qualifying nursing) and are eager to learn research skills that can be applied in clinical settings, then this course is for you.

The course will improve your critical thinking and problem solving skills through evidence-based practice. Your knowledge will be supported by your experience and you will feel confident in your skills.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

You will benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University and practice, in partnership with our NHS Trust partners. As well as this you will be taught by lecturers who have a wide expertise in the field. Our lecturers also maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is up-to-date with modern practice.

We offer continuous support throughout the programme, and you will receive personal tutoring and benefit from a high level of research within the teaching team. Your personal tutor will help guide you through your studies, support you with your academic development and give advice when needed.

Highly regarded by students and practice partners for our teaching in this area, BNU has a strong reputation for its health visitor and school nurse training. You will work with highly skilled academics, who have worked in the community – and spend some of your time in practice yourself, consolidating and deepening your understanding and skills.

What facilities can I use?

We have a range of state-of-the-art facilities for you to access at our Uxbridge campus including our Nursing Simulation Labs, multi-story library and IT suites. Students will be able to access our full range of support services, including the Learning Development Unit for skills and study support, the Careers and Employability Team, Student Finance Team, Accommodation and Counselling Services.

What will I study?

During the course you will receive support from our skilled academics as you complete your dissertation project, whilst continuing to work in the field.

The project you will complete will be one of the following:

• an independent piece of research
• a work-based project
• systematic literature review
• audit or service development.

You will identify a suitable research topic, evaluate the literature, analyse your findings and reach conclusions. By the end of  the course, you will also understand how research findings can shape future research or influence practice.

We encourage you to share experiences and knowledge with your peer group. You will be part of a strong community of nurses who have the same goal of providing excellent care. The experiences you share are important to help you develop as a nurse.

Honing your critical thinking and leadership skills, you will learn to make better decisions, and be well equipped to lead large teams of nurses effectively in caring for patients.

How will I be taught and assessed?

The course makes use of a range of flexible learning and assessment approaches, to ensure you learn in the way that suits you best. We will be looking, in particular, at how well you apply the theory to your own nursing and leadership practice.

You will benefit from strong support throughout, with personal and link tutors at the university, and a practice teacher supporting you to learn in your trust.

As one of the largest providers of student nurses in the North West London area, BNU has partnerships with a number of local NHS trusts.

We value the relationships between professionals and patients. By the end of the course, you'll share our vision of improving the access to high quality services within the NHS and local communities.

Our Trust partners include:

• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
• The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• London North West Healthcare NHS Trust
• Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

We will give you the support you need to complete your dissertation while you work in the field. The course will cover the whole research process from ethics approval to writing your final report – and you will investigate a topic important to your workplace.