Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
1
Programme Title
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
2
Programme Code
NURT96
3
JACS Code
B771
4
Level of Study
Postgraduate
5a
Final Qualification
MMedSci
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
7
6a
Intermediate Qualification(s)
PG Certificate Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
PG Diploma Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
6b
QAA FHEQ Level
7
7
Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
8
Faculty
Medicine Dentistry and Health
9
Department
School of Nursing and Midwifery
10
Other Departments involved in
teaching the programme
Not applicable
11
Mode(s) of Attendance
Part time
12
Duration of the Programme
Minimum 1 year maximum 5 years
13
Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
Not applicable
14
Date of production/revision
Revised March 2015
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The School of Nursing and Midwifery is committed to providing post graduate opportunities for practitioners
working within the context of neonatal intensive care in order to advance clinically and professionally. The
development of this programme has, in part, been driven by NHS directives, in particular The European Working
Time directives (EWTD) that were implemented in 2007. These directives set strict restrictions on the working
hours of junior doctors and have had a negative impact on staffing and resources within neonatal units. At the
same time the NHS modernisation agenda embrace the concept of advanced nursing practice, and new ways of
working within multidisciplinary teams. Neonatal nursing has been at the forefront of this development. The
School of Nursing and Midwifery, as a response to clinical demand and external drivers, has developed an
award that will advance the delivery of complex care to neonates and their families in a dynamic and ever
changing environment. This reflects the structure within the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the teaching
and research interests of the staff and thus offer clinically based programmes that enable practitioners to study
within the specialist context of neonatal intensive care and demonstrate an ability to engage pro-actively in a
constantly changing health and social care arena.
16. Programme aims
The aims of this programme are:

To enable the neonatal practitioner to gain the relevant underpinning bioscience knowledge needed to
inform judgements and decisions about clinical practice.

To enable the neonatal practitioner to gain mastery in neonatal health assessment and diagnostic
reasoning across a range of clinical situations within the neonatal environment.

Develop a systematic critical understanding of a substantial body of knowledge to enable the
development of critical thinking and mastery of the broader contemporary knowledge, skills and
attributes commensurate with their developing Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (ANNP) role.
nurt96 - ver15-16
1

Enable neonatal nurses to critically evaluate the impact that their unique specialist role has on the
quality of care delivery in the clinical setting and the organisation of health care in general by bringing a
constructive but questioning attitude towards clinical practice.

To promote evidence-based holistic care delivery and develop practice through initiating research-led
care and teaching.
17. Programme learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding: PG Certificate and Diploma ANNP
K1
To critically review the structure and function of major neonatal body systems (LO 1-5).
K2
To gain comprehensive knowledge and understanding of bioscience in neonates (LO 1-5).
K3
To gain mastery of history taking, health assessment and diagnostic reasoning from well to critically ill
neonates (LO 1-5).
K4
Providing neonatal nurses with the opportunity to critically analyse and evaluate the theoretical
perspectives, which underpin their unique role. (LO 1-5).
K5
To gain advanced knowledge and skills to in the delivery of holistic evidence-based care that addresses
the physiological, psycho-social, developmental and cultural needs of babies and their families who
require specialist care at birth (LO 1-5).
K6
Advance their knowledge of communication with the multi-disciplinary team in primary and secondary
and intermediate care settings who work with families to deliver integrated care for babies who require
specialised care at birth (LO 1-5).
K7
To think strategically about policy and contribute to policy development (LO 1-5).
K8
Critically evaluate the impact of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics on the individual and the
implications for prescribing practice. (LO 1-5).
K9
Critically evaluate the relevant legislation and its application to the practice of nurse/midwife prescribing
(LO 1-5).
K10
Critically appraise sources of information/advice and decision support systems in prescribing practice
(LO 1-5).
K11
Advance their knowledge of a variety of methodologies used in planning and undertaking research
(LO 1-5).
K12
Critically evaluate the ethical and social implications of research from a range of different perspectives
(LO 1-5).
K13
The ability to critically evaluate research studies and identify methodological strengths and weaknesses
(LO 1-5).
K14
The ability to make informed judgements on the contribution of research studies to contemporary
neonatal practice (LO 1-5).
Knowledge and Understanding: MMedSci Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
K15
Critically explore an issue or problem pertinent to their area of practice (LO 1-5).
K16
Provide a defensible rationale for the methodological approaches chosen. (LO 1-5).
Skills and other attributes: Post Graduate Certificate (NNP) and Diploma (ANNP)
S1
Demonstrate the application of advanced neonatal bioscience knowledge to clinical practice (LO 1-5).
S2
Demonstrate the ability to select and interpret common clinical tests on the basis of the patient history
and examination and processing this information using diagnostic reasoning (LO 1-5).
S3
Critically analyse data and critically evaluate the level of care required identifying nursing concern and
employing collaborative multidisciplinary referral (LO 1-5).
S4
Master advanced clinical nursing skills and demonstrate evidence of the ability to carry out complex
clinical skills independently (LO 1-5).
S5
Embrace leadership and management styles that enable transformational practice across traditional
nurt96 - ver15-16
2
boundaries (LO 1-5).
S6
Advocate for neonates and their families in complex situations (LO 1-5).
S7
Be accountable for personal practice (LO 1-5).
S8
Take forward their developing role as an ANNP to meet the challenges of service provision in the twentyfirst century whilst becoming sensitive to context and exploring the implications of uncertainty and
change (LO 1-5).
S9
Critically evaluate the principles underpinning nurse prescribing to prescribe safely, appropriately, and
cost effectively as an independent / supplementary prescriber (LO 1-5).
S10
Critically evaluate the influences that can affect prescribing practice, and demonstrate understanding by
managing prescribing practice in an ethical way (LO 1-5).
S11
Undertake a thorough history including medication history and current medication to inform diagnosis (LO
1-5).
S12
Critical appreciation of the role and responsibilities of the researcher in neonatal practice. (LO 1-5).
S13
Critical awareness of the implications for participants taking part in research studies. (LO 1-5).
S14
Comprehensive understanding of the range of knowledge and skills necessary to undertake research.
(LO 1-5).
S15
Originality and the ability to act autonomously in designing a research proposal at the forefront of the
chosen subject area. (LO 1-5).
Skills and other attributes: MMedSci Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
S16
Conduct a systematic and critical review of the literature (LO 1-5).
S17
Demonstrate critical analysis of the practice context and make recommendations for future neonatal
practice also demonstrating how these can be achieved. (LO 1-5).
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods: A wide variety of teaching methods and strategies will be utilised to provide stimulation and to ensure
the varying learning styles of adult learners are met. These strategies include the following:

Completion of a pre course biosciences work book: This will be accessed on-line prior to the students
accessing the biosciences unit to enable the students to revise their existing knowledge in neonatal
bioscience and prepare themselves to understand the higher level of knowledge required for this unit. The
pre-course work book is a package which they will receive access to as soon as their application is
completed. It requires self-directed learning which they are advised to complete by undertaking the self assessment using multi choice questions (MCQs) at the end (K1 & S 1).
For all units including the ANNP, Non-Medical Prescribing and Critical Development of Clinical Practice:

Lectures: Guided study which provides a structured opportunity to disseminate information, this is the
medium by which students access the main knowledge base (K1-16 & S1-17).

Seminars: which are either staff-led or student-led are used throughout the programme .They are
designed to reinforce information imparted through lectures by allowing students to work through,
analyse, understand and respond to that information. They are used to enable students to make the
link between theory and clinical practice (K1-16 & S1-17).

Group tutorials: are meetings arranged between a lecturer and a small group of students in order to
clarify a particular problem experienced by the student(s) in the understanding of material or to support
the student(s) in the process of preparation for a seminar or assessment (K1-16 & S1-17).

Individual tutorials: are meetings arranged between a lecturer and an individual in order to clarify a
particular problem experienced by the student(s) in the understanding of material or to support the
student(s) in the process of preparation for a seminar or assessment (K1-16 & S1-17).

Independent Learning: is used to assimilate and clarify material explored in lectures, to prepare for
seminars and assessments and to generally examine literature pertinent to the module outcomes
(K1-16 & S1-17).

Reflection: Students are encouraged throughout their learning to reflect on their own clinical area and
their own practice. This approach encourages critical and analytical thought and changes to practice
nurt96 - ver15-16
3
(K1-16 & S1-17).
For the ANNP and the NMP

Supervised Clinical Practice: This will be negotiated with relevant nominated supervisors in practice to
enable the development of practice through supervision and assessment of the required clinical skills
through the development of a portfolio of evidence (see next section for details) (K1-10 & S1-11).
For On-line Research Modules

Core material will be available to students in the form of on-line 'learning packages' equivalent to topic
lectures. Students will supplement this material with tutor-directed reading and with student-led
exploration of relevant publications. Tutor-directed on-line tutorials will be supplemented by on-line
discussion groups and 'chat rooms'. Students will be encouraged to seek, and provide, peer feedback
and support on work-in-progress. Such interactions will form an important aspect of contextualising the
learning experience for students. (K11 –14 & S12-15).
For the Critical Developments in Practice

Students are provided with an academic tutor who supports them using a variety of approaches
including e mail tutorials, telephone tutorials or face to face tutorials, for the duration of the unit (K15-16
& S16-17).
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following
assessment methods:
The units for this programme are assessed using a variety of methods:
For the PG Cert (NNP) and Diploma (ANNP) Units

Completion of a pre course work book: This will be completed prior to accessing the biosciences unit (K1 &
S1).

Extended Matching Sets Questions (EMSQs): Formative assessment to test the students developing
knowledge of neonatal biosciences at weeks 1.4.and 8 during the module (K1-2 & S1).

Short answer examination: This is a formal summative examination lasting 1.5 hours which will include
the use of EMSQs (K 1-3 & S3).

An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) lasting one hour using four stations to examine
students’ abilities to effectively use health assessment and diagnostic reasoning across a range of clinical
situations in the neonatal environment (K 1-3 & S1-3).

Completion of a Case based inventory and portfolio on health assessment and diagnostic reasoning
demonstrating history taking, diagnostic reasoning, selection and correct interpretation of common clinical
tests, processing of information using diagnostic reasoning, analysis of data and evaluation of care, and
identification of nursing concern using the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) referral systems (K 3-7 & S 3-8).

Acquisition of skills log using advanced practice development needs analysis tool and clinical
competencies in a portfolio (K 3-7 & S 3-8).

Write a 1250 word report which identifies and critically evaluates a clinical issue which has been
experienced in practice (K3-7 & S3-8).

Summative clinical skills assessment will be achieved by working with a practice supervisor and
completion of a portfolio and a skills log using an advanced assessment of needs assessment tool as
described above (K3-7 & S3-8).
For the NMP

An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) will examine students’ abilities to write a legal
prescription and how knowledge concerning the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and
pharmacotherapeutics of a drug is conveyed to the client. (K8-10 & S9-11).

An unseen exam consisting of short answer and multiple choice questions will assess knowledge of
pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, phamacotherapeutics and drug calculations (K8-10
& S9-11).
nurt96 - ver15-16
4
Students will be required to submit a portfolio of learning including two 3000 assignments arising from case
studies which will demonstrate a critical evaluation of clinical practice in light of the body of evidence and
government/professional guidelines (K8-10 & S9-11).
For the On-line Research Modules

Student progress will be formatively assessed in an ongoing fashion throughout the unit Typically,
students will be asked to analyse, synthesise and summarise the information underpinning each topic
(K11 – 14 & S12-15).

The students will be summatively assessed by submission of a 3000 word written assignment in the
form of a research project proposal on an issue pertinent to neonatal practice (K11 – 14 & S 12-15).
For the Critical Development of Clinical practice

Assessment will be through submission of a 12,000 – 15,000 word assignment that will focus on an
area of health and/or social care that is of interest to the student. The assignment will require the
student to demonstrate a critical appreciation of the underpinning research and critical analysis of the
evidence they present (K15-16 & S16-17).
19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:

The Mission Statement of the University of Sheffield as presented in its corporate plan.

The Mission Statement of the School of Nursing and Midwifery as presented within its strategy
document.

The appropriate qualification descriptors contained in the QAA Framework for Higher Education
Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Professional points of reference indicated by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) and the
Department of Health.

ADC Plan of The University of Sheffield School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Neonatal Tool Kit: Principle 5: Professional Competence Education and Training to develop further
career options for neonatal nurses (DH 2009).
20. Programme structure and regulations
The programme of study can be completed in not less than one year and not more than five years on a part time
basis for those entering with the degree or equivalent relevant study and experience.
A person may be admitted as a student who:

Holds a relevant Bachelors’ degree or equivalent or demonstrates the ability to work at post graduate
level.

Must be qualified in the neonatal specialism with at least 2 years post qualifying experience in neonatal
intensive care.

Is on the appropriate part of the professional register with evidence of current professional registration
with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Holds a current relevant employment contract in a neonatal setting for the duration of the programme for
a minimum of 20 hours per week excluding study days.

Has evidence of support from a manager and a neonatal consultant to undertake the course and has
identified an appropriately qualified and experienced supervisor in clinical practice.

Has current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check completed. When accessing the non-medical
prescribing they must bring evidence at registration that the DBS check was completed 3 years prior to
commencement of the programme (MNC 2007).

Completion of a pre course package and reading which they will receive access to as soon as their
application is completed. It requires self-directed learning which they are advised to complete by undertaking
nurt96 - ver15-16
5
the self-assessment using multi choice questions (MCQs) at the end.
A student shall take a):
SNM 647 Biosciences in neonatal practice = 15 credits
SNM 648 Neonatal health assessment and diagnostic reasoning 15 credits
SNM 649 Advanced neonatal nursing: Contemporary clinical practice = 30 credits
b)
SNM 624 Nurse/Midwife Independent/Supplementary Prescribing Programme = 30 credit
SNMXX F Evidence Based Practice
X
7
15
SNMXX F Research Methods
X
7
15
c)
SNM 637 Critical Development of Clinical Practice = 60 credit
A student who has been awarded 120 credit in respect of 3a, and b, above will be awarded a PG Diploma
Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
A student who has been awarded 60 credit in respect of 3a above will be eligible for the award of a PG
Certificate Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression
and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs.html.
21. Student development over the course of study
All of the above units must be successfully completed in order to achieve the award. The students will be given
academic support by the programme leader for academic supervision tutorial support and guidance. This will
ensure that the student has the most appropriate person to ensure continuity who also has the skills and
knowledge of the specialist context of practice.
The student will also be offered the opportunity of personal development planning in order for them to be able to
identify their strengths and weaknesses so that appropriate academic support can be provided. This will also
enable the student to make informed career choices and develop their confidence in articulating their potential
confidently to prospective employers.
nurt96 - ver15-16
6
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
Detailed information regarding admission to programmes is available from the University’s On-Line Prospectus
at http://www.shef.ac.uk/courses/
The prerequisites for entry to this programme are:

Must hold a relevant bachelors’ degree or equivalent or demonstrate the ability to work at post graduate
level

Must be qualified in speciality with at least 2 years post qualifying experience in Neonatal Intensive Care

Must be on an appropriate part of the NMC professional register with evidence of current registration
with the NMC

Must hold a current relevant employment contract during the programme in a neonatal setting for a
minimum of 20 hours per week excluding study days

Must have evidence of support from manager and neonatal consultant to undertake the course

Must have identification of an appropriately qualified and experienced nominated supervisor in clinical
practice

Current Disclosure and Barring Services check completed. When accessing the non medical prescribing
they must bring evidence at registration that the DBS check was completed 3 years prior to
commencement of the programme (MNC 2007).

Completion of a pre course package and reading (see previous sections on assessments)
23. Additional information
Liz Crathern
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Barber House Annexe
3a Clarkehouse Road
Sheffield
S10 2LA
Telephone: +44 (0) 114 2222070
Email: l.crathern@sheffield.ac.uk
snm.enquiries@sheffield.ac.uk
www.shef.ac.uk/snm
Application for the units can be made by accessing www.shef.ac.uk/hsccpd (Look under Neonate, Children Family
and Public Health)
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can
be accessed via our Student Services web site at http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid.
nurt96 - ver15-16
7