Module: Introduction to Advanced Practice Concepts

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Advanced Practice Concepts
Module Code	NUR1122 (ITS: NS5064P)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module aims to build on core nursing competencies acquired at bachelor’s degree level. Incorporating theoretical concepts of advanced practice, this module integrates knowledge from nursing and related sciences to fully analyse, design, implement, and evaluate nursing care for diverse populations in healthcare settings. Theory and frameworks to support professional role development/ emerging advanced practice including critical thinking; reflective practice and approaches to learning will also be incorporated.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1 Identify the concepts that underpin the role of the advanced nurse practitioner within the healthcare system.
2. LO2 Develop an understanding of the complexities involved in the clinical autonomy of advanced nursing practice.
3. LO3 Plan care in collaboration with members of the Multi-disciplinary team, incorporating therapeutic regimes to ensure safe, high quality evidence-based care delivery.
4. LO4 Critically evaluate the contribution of clinical experience, on-going reflection, theoretical concepts and professional development frameworks supporting advanced nursing practice.
5. LO5 Recognise strategies that promote lifelong learning of self and peers that incorporates best practice standards and accountability for practice.
6. LO6 Demonstrate the skills necessary to produce quality academic work at the postgraduate level

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	38	Face to face contact via lecture.
Tutorial	12	Small class group discussions / group work and asynchronous engagement with module tasks, including skills videos to support learning in the clinical skills laboratory.
Independent Study	200	Opportunity for critical thinking and reflection on learning during the module including identification of personal knowledge deficits that may emerge.
Lecture	12	Face to face contact via lecture.
Total Workload: 262

Section Breakdown
CRN	11299	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Siobhan Rothwell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Essay assesses academic writing and content learned during the module	40%	n/a
Presentation	PowerPoint presentation on a selected nursing theorist and how this theory contributes to nursing practice	40%	n/a
Completion of online activity	Online discussion forum on a seletion of questions posed by the module coordinator	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	None
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

Emerging advanced practice
The contribution of critical thinking, lifelong learning and reflection on practice to support the emergence of advanced nursing practice will be considered. Technology and information literacy to support developing capabilities will be enabled.

Theoretical Frameworks
Theoretical concepts, nursing models and frameworks that inform and underpin advanced nursing practice will be explored.

Inter-professional Working
Establishing collaborative working relationships with multi-professional team members. Contributing knowledge and expertise to decision-making. Importance of developing self and others through knowledge transfer within practice settings.

Masters level standards
Studying at the post graduate level; strategies for keeping up to date; plagiarism and its consequences.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Masters, K.: 2018, Role Development in professional nursing practice, 5th Edition., Jones & Bartlett, MA, 128415291X
Rosalinda Alfaro-Lefevre,Rosalinda Alfaro-Lefevre, Msn, RN, Anef: 2016, Critical Thinking, Clinical Reasoning, and Clinical Judgment, 6th Ed, Saunders, 320, 9780323358903
Barton, TD and Allan, D: 2015, Advanced Nursing Practice. Changing Healthcare in a Changing World, 1st, McMillan Education, London, 978-023037813
Stewart, JG and DeNisco, SN: 2019, Role Development for the Nurse Practitioner, 2nd, Jones and Bartlett Learning, Burlington, MA, 978-128413013

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None