Module: Surgical Skills for Healthcare Practitioners

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Surgical Skills for Healthcare Practitioners
Module Code	NUR1121 (ITS: NS5057)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module aims to introduce participants to the core skills needed to perform minor surgical skin procedures in a variety of healthcare settings. *Candidates must be working in a relevant area of practice and have an identified clinical practice supervisor to support their learning on the module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment in advance of undertaking minor surgical skin procedures.
2. Utilise knowledge in the assessment and primary surgical management of infected and contaminated soft tissues.
3. Demonstrate clinical decision-making around surgical/conservative treatment within their scope of professional practice.
4. Utilise knowledge and skills to prepare for surgical procedures.
5. Demonstrate skill proficiency in selected minor surgical procedures including safe instrument handling, knot tying, suturing technique and administration of local anaesthesia.
6. Evaluate the current evidence-base around medico-legal implications of performing minor surgical skin procedures.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	Face to face engagement in classroom setting
Clinical Skills/Practical Session	12	Students engage in practical skills instruction in a simulated learning environment.
Online activity	8	Students undertake prescribed asynchronous learning tasks including online learning activites. Participation in peer learning and formative feedback activities where appropriate.
Independent Study	218	Review of online learning resources, instructional videos, and simulation demonstrations of wound assessment, local anaesthetic administration, and suturing techniques.Self-directed practice of suturing and knot-tying techniques using simulation models. Reflection on clinical experiences to identify opportunities for skill development and application of evidence to practice.Participation in peer learning and formative feedback activities where appropriate.
Lecture	14	Face to face contact
Clinical laboratory	10	Practical skills workshop in simulated learning environment
Online activity	16	Synchronous and asynchronous engagement with module tasks
Professional Practice	210	Learning within the student's own workplace including engagement with module tasks/assessment requirements.
Lecture	12	Face to face engagement in class
Clinical Skills/Practical Session	12	Practical skills instruction within a simulated learning environment.
Total Workload: 524

Section Breakdown
CRN	20836	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Therese Leufer	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	21163	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Therese Leufer	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Performance evaluation	Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) comprising both workplace and simulated learning environment assessments.	40%	n/a
Assignment	Critical review of an evidence-based guideline/protocol relating to minor surgical skills.	40%	Week 1
Portfolio	Reflective engagement both during and following learning activities prescribed on the module to maximise skill acquisition.	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	d,
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative content
• Patient assessment/treatment options • Skin Anatomy & Physiology • Lesion identification/management • Local anesthesia administration –risks and management • Wound/Sharp debridement & management • Cryosurgery • LARC • Aseptic technique • Suturing - materials/techniques/wound closure • Punch biopsies & curettage • Ellipse marking/excision • Deep dermal suturing & wound closure • Abscesses/cyst/in-grown toenail management • Discharge advice/aftercare • Clinical Governance/Medico-legal aspects • Protocol development/audit

Indicative Reading List

Books:

David Buckley, Paola Pasquali (Eds): 2021, Textbook of Primary Care Dermatology, 1st Edition, Springer, Switzerland, 978303029100
Botting,J., Schofield, J. (Eds): 2020, Brown's Skin and Minor Surgery: A Text & Colour Atlas, 5th Ed, CRC Press,
Price, C.,Sinclair, R.: 2008, Fast Facts: Minor Surgery., Second Edition, Health Press Limited, 978-190373401
Bickley,LS.: 2020, Bates Guide to Physical Examination and History-Taking, 13th Ed., Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia,
Helen Aveyard,Nancy Preston,Morag Farquhar: 0, How to Read and Critique Research, 2nd, 9781036208967
Melnyk M, Fineout-Overholt,E: 2023, Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare,, 5th Edition, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia,
Hart, C., Bell, PL.: 2022, Advanced Practice Nursing (int Ed), Wolters Kluwer, 9781975172800
Wallace, M., Wray, A.: 2021, Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates, 4th Ed, Sage (Student Success), London, 368, 9781529727647
Kumar Jain S, Stoker DL & Tanwar R.: 2013, Basic Surgical Skills and Techniques, 2nd Edition, Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None