The BNurs Nursing course is taught in a Medical School at the heart of one of the UK’s largest healthcare regions. It provides you with many opportunities to gain experience treating patients from a wide range of different backgrounds and cultures. 

You will experience inter-professional working alongside pharmacy, medicine, dentistry and physiotherapy students on a course which involves 50% academic and 50% practical study, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for pre-registration nursing education.  

The programme is regulated by The Nursing and Midwifery Council . Students follow the University of Newcastle.

With a thorough grounding in concepts of health derived from the study of the biological and social sciences, professional studies and communication skills, you will develop the professional disciplinary knowledge and understanding of your preferred field of practice of nursing (Adult, Mental Health or Child). This is underpinned by the acquisition of the professional leadership and research skills you will need to practice and manage evidence-based person centered care as a Registered Nurse.

First year (Foundation year)

Your first year will provide you with the experience of nursing in Adult, Mental Health and Child and Public Health clinical settings before continuing on with your chosen speciality. As well as examining these areas through academic study, you will gain invaluable practical experience by completing 3 placements in each of these fields of nursing practice.

The focus is on health and through the study of the biological, psychological and social sciences you will gain an appreciation of the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and their families. You will also study core clinical skills and academic skills in order to gain an understanding of professional practice.

Second year

You will develop your clinical nursing and managerial skills further whilst studying clinical modules specific to your field of practice and core modules which support your development as a nurse, these include the study of evidence-based practice and healthcare in a social economic and political environment. There are 3 field specific clinical placements in hospital and community settings in your second year.

At the end of the second year you have the opportunity to undertake a 4 week elective experience, either overseas or in the United Kingdom. (UK) In the UK electives can be arranged in hospices, prisons and other specialist units. International electives can be in health care settings in any continent of the world. Examples of countries where students have visited recently include Australia, Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Thailand, Tanzania, Greece, Canada and the USA. The elective enables you to experience differences in culture, clinical practice, healthcare systems and languages, which will benefit you as a Registered Nurse when caring for people from different backgrounds. It also gives you the opportunity to further develop your self-confidence and organisational skills, through arranging your own elective experience with the support and guidance of academic staff.

Third year

In the final year you will extend your academic, managerial and clinical skills in order to be able to work as a safe, compassionate, effective and autonomous practitioner upon qualifying as a Registered Nurse. You study 2 field specific clinical modules and learn about leadership in nursing, along with completing a research dissertation.

Field specific clinical placements are in hospital and community settings and at the end of the course there is a ‘Leadership in nursing’ placement, followed by a 4 week ‘sign off’ placement. The ‘sign off’ period is when you work with a ‘sign off’ mentor who will assess your proficiency and will ‘sign off’ the completion of the practice part of your programme, confirming that you have achieved the standards of competence required for entry to the NMC register.

Placements

You will be continually assessed on clinical placements and be supported by a Registered Nurse mentor who has undertaken a NMC approved mentor preparation course. At the University of Newcastle, you will have the opportunity to practice nursing in some of the country’s leading healthcare trusts ranging from primary care, to acute care and also tertiary centres of excellence in the Newcastle and Solihull area. You will undertake a range of diverse and exciting clinical placements, gaining a variety of experiences with a wide range of client groups, under the guidance of skilled clinicians.

In order to maximise your learning experience on clinical placements, practice placement teams organise teaching sessions, student forums and provide on-going clinical support for mentors and nursing students. Clinical link tutors from the University of Newcastle also provide support and guidance for students and mentors, facilitating student forums on clinical link tutor visit days and visiting placement areas regularly.

Adult field of practice

You will have placements in hospital settings, with the opportunity to work in medicine, surgery, accident and emergency, critical care, rehabilitation and older adults. In the community you will work in hospices, intermediate care and with district nurses and other specialist healthcare professionals.

Mental Health field of practice

You will have the opportunity to work with children and adolescents through to older adults with mental health problems. You will work in community, residential and hospital settings, gaining a wide range of clinical skills.

Child field of practice

Your placements will focus on the child and their family; you will work in local nurseries, communities and hospitals, as well as the internationally renowned Diana, Princess of Wales, Children’s Hospital.