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BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) Degree Placement Handbook 2015/16 1

Practice Placement Handbook BSc (HONS) Nursing (Adult) Degree Academic Year 2015 / 2016


SECTION Contents Page

1. Welcome and Introduction

Welcome Aim

3 3

2. Practice Learning Practice Learning Requirement Hours Attendance Reporting Absence Making up Hours Uniform Policy

4 4 5 6 6

3. Practice Support Practice Placement Support Roles Health and Safety whilst on Practice Placements

6 8

4. Preparation for Practice Learning

Preparation for Practice Practice Assessments Who and What will be Assessed Personal Tutoring Role

8 9 9 11

5. Failing Assessments Failure to Achieve in Practice 12

6. Matters of Concern Professional Conduct Protocol for Raising Concerns in Practice Outstanding Practice Placement Experience

13 14 15

7. Other Practice Learning Other Practice Learning 16

8. Glossary 17

9. Appendices 17


University of Bolton BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) Degree Practice Placement Handbook Welcome / Aims

Welcome to the BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) Degree practice placement handbook. This aim of this handbook.is to provide you with the necessary information to help you to prepare for and during your practice placements. However, you do need to read this handbook in conjunction with the Programme and University handbook along with your Practice Placement Assessments Documentation and the Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) which contain essential information and guidance regarding the Universities regulations, policies and procedures. The University handbook can be accessed at http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Students/Home.aspx. You should have been given the other handbooks as part of your induction. You can also find further information regarding Practice placements via the BSc Nursing Gateway Moodle Website / Practice Placement Moodle. On here you will find the profiles for each practice placement. The course is a 50/50 partnership between the University of Bolton (UoB) and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHTR). You will be a student of the University and your practice placements will be with LTHTR. The course comprises of 50% theory and 50% practice. Your practice placements provide you the opportunity to apply and develop practice skills under the guidance and supervision of an experienced / mentor / practitioner. A critical examination of the relationship between theory and practice is central to the component of the placements. Successful completion of the practice placements over the course of the degree programme is a requirement or you to be successful on this programme and then be eligible to register your qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The Aim of Practice Placements

To enable you to develop your values, behaviours, knowledge and skills in a supervised health and social care setting. This will enable you to:

Build upon your experience to date. Extend your experience beyond university-based learning. Develop, apply and demonstrate skills and methods for professional practice. Develop the required NMC Competencies and Essential Skills Clusters. Appraisal of your competence in relation to the Professional requirements. Be assessed in your development of the NMC Competencies and Essential

Skills Clusters to then identify ways to improve until you are competent. Critically appraise and plan for your personal professional development.

http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Students/Home.aspx


Practice Learning

Practice Learning Requirement Hours

This full time programme complies with the 4600 hours / 3 years in length and at least 2300 hours of this is practice learning. This is captured through practice placements and simulated learning opportunities.

Year & Semester Practice

Year 1 Term 1 300 hrs (1 week clinical simulation + 7 weeks (262.5) Practice placement)

Year 1 Term 2 300 hrs (1 week clinical simulation + 7 weeks Practice placement)


Year 1 totals 825 (22) (112.5 hrs Simulation practice)

Year 2 Term 1 150 (4 weeks)


Year 2 Term 3 375 (1 week clinical simulation + 9 weeks Practice placement)

Year 2 totals 825 (22) ( 75 hrs Simulation practice)

Year 3 Term 1 150 (4weeks)

Year 3 Term 2 150 (4 weeks)

Year 3 Term 3 525 (1 week Clinical simulation + 13 weeks practice placement)

Year 3 totals 825 (22) ( 37.5 hrs Simulation Practice)

Overall Total 2475 (with 225 as Simulation hours)

The long thin modules within your programme that extend across a full year in year 1, 2, and 3 relate to developing the necessary core and fundamental skills as a nurse and in year 2 and 3 in particular to the Field of Adult Nursing Practice. These three modules are 40 credits each and host the Practice Assessments Documentations (PAD’s). There are 3 Practice placements within each of the 3 years and you will be summatively assessed in each practice placement via the PAD’s Attendance

Whenever you are on placements you must start your working day at the usual placement start time and complete the working day at the accepted end time. It is a requirement that you experience care delivery throughout the twenty-four hour period.


The shift patterns may comprise: • Early shifts • Late shifts • Night shifts These shifts may be scheduled over weekdays and weekends and will be allocated as appropriate. Increasingly, placement areas shift patterns comprise of long days which consist of around a 13 hour shift as opposed to the 71/2 hour shift and in light of this you and your mentor need to agree your shift patterns. This must be for educational reasons and to ensure that you work with your mentor for at least 40% of the time. The European Working Time Directive expects that there is least 11 hours rest between shifts, but where this is not possible then this should be limited to 2 consecutive shifts. You are required to have a dedicated rest/meal break during each shift, this should be at least 20 minutes when working more than 6 hours. You will be required to work weekends. You are required to have a planned allocation of night duty experience. You are not required to work bank holidays. Allocation of shifts is normally planned at least 4 weeks in advance. Attendance and punctuality is extremely important and will be closely monitored. Your days off should not be split.You must have a 24 hour rest in every 7 days or 48 hour consecutive rest in every 14 days. You are required to experience the 24 hour care cycle and this should be a minimum 150 hours over the 3 years. There is a maximum period in order to complete this programme of 5 years. Reporting Absences

If the absence falls when you are in practice you MUST ring the Practice Placement Mentor or member of staff in Charge Plus the relevant clinical Tutor – and email Yvonne Lythgoe – [email protected]/uk these relevant staff will then inform your Personal Tutor or Programme Leader. If no answer or if this falls on a weekend please leave a voice mail. See Communication Flow chart (appendix) This can either be by e-mail or telephone (see the PAD for details). Where the absence is due to illness of less than seven days the student must provide a written statement. If the illness is for seven or more days a Medical Certificate is required and needs to be given to your personal tutor. If you know in advance that you will miss a taught session you must inform your personal tutor & module tutor / mentor and clinical tutor by phone, e mail, in person or in writing. Contact details for programme staff are listed in the programme handbook. Please also refer to 2.4 Programme Requirement Hours in your programme handbook. The programme requirements for attendance is compulsory for both theory and practice. Non-attendance must be authorised in the first instance by your personal tutor and you must have genuine reason before this will be granted. In the main this will normally be as a result of sickness. However, you must request authorised absence from your Personal Tutor & Programme Leader. Requests may also include compassionate leave, hospital appointments and are granted at the Programme Leader’s discretion.

mailto:[email protected]/uk


Making up Hours

During each placement you are required to maintain a record of the number of hours undertaken. This will then be signed off at each shift by a suitably qualified member of staff who can verify those hours. The Record of Practice Hours (at the end of each PAD) will be used to determine whether you have completed the appropriate number of hours (2,300) in placement by the end of the programme. This will be reviewed at your annual progression points. When you need to make up a deficit in placement hours this must be negotiated with your Personal Tutor and Clinical Tutor for Practice Learning and Placement Lead to establish your needs and a relevant practice placement. You may make up this time at the end of your programme, again this will be negotiated with yourself, Personal Tutor, Programme lead, Clinical Tutor, a Placement Manager. Any additional hours to be made up from a previous placement will be recorded on a specific Learning Contract, separate to a units PAD. If you are returning to practice to make up a period for the sole reason of making up hours you must have a Learning Contract in place with specified Learning Outcomes to maintain. According to the University’s work and attendance policy, if you have not fulfilled the necessary number of hours to be assessed appropriately whilst in placement may be required to interrupt your studies in order to repeat the placement at the next available opportunity. If you need to make up theory hours your personal tutor and programme lead will discuss your needs, devise a relevant learning contract and agree with yourself the most appropriate plan of action. Much like recording the hours for practice the same applies to the theory hours. You can make up the theory hours through self-directed learning and learning packages and evidence placed in your PDP. There is a maximum period in order to complete this programme of 5 years. Uniform Policy

You must adhere to the Trust Uniform Policy – please access this via the Placement Moodle site http://elearning.bolton.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9953 Practice Placement Support

Clinical Tutor

You will be allocated a Clinical Tutor employed and based within the LTHTR to provide whilst in your practice placement. This role will liaise with the placement areas and inform them of placement allocations, allocate you and your peers to practice placements, work with you in practice, support mentors with any issues or concerns. If you have any queries or concerns whilst in placement contact the clinical tutor in the first instance.

Mentors

http://elearning.bolton.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9953


You will be allocated a named mentor for each practice placements. This named mentor will supervise and be responsible for facilitating your learning needs. He / she will take responsibility for assessing your summative assessments (PAD’s). The mentor is there to support, facilitate and assess your leaning needs. They will work collaboratively with yourself and the remaining placement team to develop your skills throughout your time in the placement area.

Mentors will normally be allocated to students before the beginning of each placement.

Mentors must be available to work with you for at least 40% of the time during the placement.

The Mentor must ensure that you are appropriately supervised, directly or indirectly, at all times during practice learning, including whist on spoke placements.

Appropriate risk assessments must be available in order to ensure your safety needs are met.

Mentors must ensure you remain supernumerary during all practice learning experiences.

If you have identified additional learning needs in the practice learning environment you will be supported through the Universities Disability Service and any agreed Reasonable Adjustments for Practice can be made available to your mentor with your permission.

In the absence of your Mentor another appropriately qualified member of staff, working in that clinical placement, may carry out the functions of the mentor.

Sign off mentor

You will be allocated a sign off mentor when you are in your final third year practice placement in order to support your learning and assessment needs to ensure you meet the standards for entry onto the NMC register. The sign off mentor also will work collaboratively with yourself and the remaining placement team to develop your skills throughout your time in the placement area. The Sign off Mentor will need to review your on-going Record of Achievement developed over the three years before they can sign you off from your final placement.

Patient Coach

You will meet with your patient mentor in groups on 3-4 once every 6 months during your progress through the course. A Patient Coach is a patient/service users/carer who are currently accessing care services or those that have done so recently. Either way, they have valuable experiences of the care services that you are working in, only from service user perspective. These means as a developing healthcare professional, you have the opportunity to discuss key topics and issues and gain a clearer understanding of how it may be viewed from a patient’s perspective.

University Link Lecturer (ULL)


The ULL is a named Academic member of staff from the University of Bolton who link with the practice placement area. There is a named ULL for each practice placement and they are responsible for verifying the Placement Audit and supporting the placement area to ensure they are providing good quality placements. Whilst in the practice placement you may contact them regarding any issues are concerns that you may have.

Health and Safety: Students Responsibilities whilst on Practice Placement

As a student you are required to locate and familiarise yourself with the health, safety and risk management policy documents, including completed risk assessment, in each placement area. Your mentor will highlight this during your induction to each placement. You are required to report any breaches of health, safety and other risk management issues that may affect yourself or others in the practice placement, in accordance with the trust policies and procedures You need to ensure you are aware of the risk assessment system in place and control measures required to reduce or eliminate identified risks. You are required to inform the following people when an additional risk assessment is required as a result of a change in your circumstances, such as pregnancy, illness or injury; your programme Lead, Personal Tutor, Clinical Tutor, Mentor / Sign Off Mentor. You are required to inform your mentor as soon as possible, who will work with the Clinical Tutor to ensure that appropriate risk assessments are completed and implemented to ensure your health, safety and well-being within the practice placement. You are required to attend and complete the mandatory inductions and health and safety updates within the Trust and the University. You are required to follow the correct Trust report procedures and forward copies of the completed documents to the University (Programme lead or personal Tutor) should you become involved in an adverse incident whilst on placement. If you are required to complete a statement, advice and support will be provided from your Personal Tutor or Clinical Tutor.

Preparation for Practice Learning

Prior to starting your practice placement you will need to familiarise yourself with the PAD. This involved you completing an individual reflection and self-assessment prior to your initial meeting with your allocated mentor / supervisor. The safe keeping of you PAD is your responsibility. The PAD contains all the necessary documentation and assessments for the whole three years, so please look after this. The PAD and the record of ongoing achievement (contained within), must be available to your mentors / sign off mentor / supervisors, your personal tutor or academic staff if


required. You are required to take a photocopy of certain elements from your PAD prior to submission.

Practice Assessments

The NMC (2010) asserts that you must be able to evidence professional knowledge, skills and values development and competency achievement within field specific and core competencies across several domains. The domains for each nursing programme are outlined in the PAD. The NMC (2010) has set minimum requirements that must be achieved by the first and second progression points and for entry to the Register. The assessment of practice learning will be achieved through successful completion of the PAD for each of the practice based unit of learning. A completed PAD also forms a vital component of your professional portfolio. An On Going Record of Achievement will provide a cumulative record of your progression in practice and must be made available for scrutiny and completion, to mentors at the initial and final interview points.

Who and what will be assessed?

Throughout the programme you will experience a range of practice learning environments which will help facilitate the development of competence. The NMC (2010) clearly state that it is the Mentor who is responsible for making the final judgement and assessment decision regarding achievement of practice requirements, however members of the multi- disciplinary team, clients and carers will have an opportunity to provide feedback on your progress by your identified mentor. The Mentor will also be required to confirm that you have achieved the competencies for the first and second progression point and it is the sign off mentor on the same part of the register that you are working towards who is responsible at the progression point for entry to the Register. You and your Mentor should have at least three formal meetings during each placement:

Initial Assessment Identify learning needs and opportunities

Interim Assessment Review progress, identify areas of achievement and where support is needed

Final Assessment. Discuss overall performance and whether the practice outcomes have been achieved.

It is your responsibility to ensure that these meetings occur. The Clinical Tutor or Placement lead, Personal Tutor, or Programme Lead should be contacted if you encounter any difficulty in being able to organise these meetings. In Year 1 Term 1 you will be exposed to 8 weeks of practice learning. You will be assessed in practice in this initial term via the PAD linked to “Principles of Infection Control and Hand Washing”. This is to ensure that you are able to wash your hands safely to limit cross infection from the start of the course. You will also be assessed on your communication skills, professional values and attitude that relate to the NMC Competencies. From Year 1 Term 1 you will be working towards the NMC Standards and Essential Skills Clusters (ESC) and will be assessed on these whilst in practice via the PAD’s.


The PAD’s have been mapped to the NMC Progression Point 1, Progression Point 2, and the NMC Competencies for entry to the register. The NMC Competencies will be assessed in the following Years and Terms and practice placements. Alongside these competencies within the PAD’s are the ESC's. These will be addressed in practice and will be summatively assessed within certain Years and Terms as noted below. All must be successfully completed:

Year 1 Level 4

Term 1 Term 2 Term 3

Pro

gre

ssio

n P

oin

t 1

(P

P1

)

Module HLT4080 Caring and Compassionate Foundation Skills for Nursing Practice = 40 credits

Professional Values + Principles of asepsis, hand washing & infection control - ESC 3 – Pass / Fail

NMC Assessment of PP1 competencies Pass / Fail

NMC Assessment of PP1 competencies Pass / Fail Progression Point 1 level

Year 2 Level 5

Module HLT5017 Care of the Acute Physical & Mental Health Issues Across the Lifespan

Pro

gre

ssio

n P

oin

t 2

(P

P2

)

Care / Compassion Communication & Interprofessional skills and professional values – ESC 1 Pass / Fail & ESC 2 in relation to organisation, management & assessment of a patient / client Pass / Fail

NMC Assessment of generic and field competencies + ESC 5 Medicines Management Pass / Fail

NMC Assessment of generic and field competencies + ESC 4 Fluid and Nutritional Management Pass / Fail set at Progression Point 2 level

Year 3

Module HLT6069 Preparation, Transition and Nursing Management for Professional Practice Pro

gre

ssio

n

Po

int

3

(PP

3)


Level 6

NMC Assessment of generic and field competencies + ESC 5 – medicines management for entry to the register Pass / Fail

NMC Assessment of generic and field competencies + ESC 3 Infection prevention and control

NMC Assessment of competencies + ESC 2 Organisational aspects of care Pass / Fail set at entry to register. Sign-off mentor to complete. Pass/Fail

Personal Tutoring Role in relation to the PAD’s and the PDP

You will be continuously assessed in practice and once every Term you will be summatively assessed in practice, when the practice placements are completed, you are required to submit the documentation by a given date. This documentation is seen in detail and verified by your personal tutor. Failure to submit a PAD on the submission day without an authorised extension may result in a referred document, subsequently you may have been deemed to have failed the Module. You must be successful in each practice placement in order to progress. Alongside of your practice assessment you will start to compile and develop evidence for your Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) from the first term of year 1 through to the end of term 3 year 3. At the time of reviewing your PAD your personal tutor also monitors the development of your PDP which is viewed as a crucial component of personal and professional development. This will involve reviewing the modules you have completed, looking at your placement reports and going over any material you have added to your PDP. The PDP will be used as a vehicle for the collection of evidence of learning in practice, providing a record of personal, professional and academic development. Using a PDP will help you to prepare for continuing practice development in accordance with NMC guidance. Your PDP will be summatively assessed as you progress through the course and it will be verified by your personal tutor each term. You will be required to submit elements of the PDP as you progress, however the final PDP must be submitted in year 3 term 3 and must be successfully passed. The practice learning includes 2475 hours and will cover 24 hour 7 day a week. 150 hours of learning in practice will take place outside the normal day shift pattern and these needs to be documented in the PDP. This may include night duty and twilight shifts in keeping with any reasonable adjustments that may be required. It is a requirement of the NMC that you are exposed to experiences in all fields of practice - adult, mental health, children’s and learning disability. You are also expected to achieve this over your three year programme of study and consider this as part of your personal and professional development goals. In addition Adult Nursing students need to complete the Mother and Baby experience and other defined practice experience and theory as set out in EU Directive 77/453/EEE. The importance and benefits of students demonstrating the requirements of the EU Directive is to enable the free movement of workers within the EU as this was one of


the cornerstones of the original Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community. The directive has been an important lever for raising standards in nurse education in countries wishing to join the EU, and in women‟s access to further education and it has provided some assurances on patient safety. Overall, according to the RCN (2013) many EU initiatives have heralded important improvements in nurses‟ working lives here in the UK and across Europe. Working at European level has also heralded much closer cooperation between counterpart nursing organisations and greater understanding and sharing of best practice to deliver better health services and improve health. Thus you will be exposed to this area of practice in year 2 but as mentioned above you are also expected to achieve this over your three year programme of study and consider this as part of your personal and professional development goals. To demonstrate these requirements you will be expected to undertake self-assessments, action planning, significant events and the collection of evidence utilising knowledge and skills gained from previous modules as well as evidence from your clinical placements and then evidence this in the PDP. PDP processes will be integrated and embedded through the following:

1. Support the development and recognition of skills through: a. personal tutoring system; b. integrated PDP development and professional record of achievement

as a programme requirement; c. teaching practices where PDP and portfolio development introducing

students to the concept of PDP, including reflection, goal setting, key skills development and action planning are offered in the developing graduate skills & using evidence to inform practice module, within the planned group and one to one tutorials which take place each term throughout the 3 years and at key points at the beginning of each year.

2. Linking clinical practice feedback on specific scenario based learning and

learning logs to PDP and portfolio development.

3. Summative assessment of PDP in Year 3 term 3 as part fulfilment of the module.

There is equal weighting in the assessment of practice and theory in contributing to the final award. Thus all assessments in practice must be passed in order to allow you to progress to the next stage / term / year and completion of the programme. Failing Assessments

Failure to Achieve In Practice

You are expected to achieve all the standards or competencies and practice skills specified in the PAD. If at any time a mentor feels that you are not progressing, they must inform you at the earliest opportunity. The outcome of the meeting must be documented within the PAD. The Clinical Tutor should be contacted for help and support and the Placement Education Lead and your Personal Tutor must also be contacted at the earliest opportunity. If you fail to achieve any of the practice outcomes at the first attempt in practice, a final attempt may be granted by the Assessment Board to enable the student to progress on the programme. If an


Assessment Board has documented evidence that (a) your work or attendance or both have been unsatisfactory, and (b) you have been formally warned of the unsatisfactory work or attendance but have not shown significant improvement acceptable to the Board, then the Board has the right to refuse your reassessment. At the end of a placement, when you have been notified by your Mentor that you have failed to achieve the practice outcomes, in part or full, you will be invited to attend a meeting with the Personal Tutor / Programme Leader to discuss the way forward. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the failure to achieve in practice, you may have the following options:

i) If you have failed the PAD you will be referred to the Programme Lead &

Personal Tutor, who in liaison with the Clinical Tutor and Placement Educational Lead will develop an appropriate Learning Contract. This is normally implemented in the first week of the next placement allocation and completed within maximum five weeks providing the learning outcomes can be achieved in that placement. If the Learning outcomes cannot be achieved in that placement, you may be offered the opportunity to undertake your learning contract in the weeks of your next annual leave period.

Or

ii) In the event that the above is not appropriate, you will be offered the opportunity to interrupt your studies. You will then be invited to return to the programme at the commencement of the term in the following academic year or at an appropriate point, in order to have a second attempt at the practice placement. At this meeting, an action plan will be devised to assist you to succeed at the second attempt. The contents of this Learning Contract will be conveyed to your mentor either in a new clinical area or on the same clinical area, whichever is most appropriate. With the Learning Contract in place the Mentor can then tailor the clinical experience to meet your individual learning needs.

Matters of Concern

Professional Conduct

Professional conduct will be monitored throughout the programme in academic and practice environments. Assessment of professional behaviour and attitude will be carried out by academic and practice staff. If you act in a way that would question your suitability for eligibility for registration they may be required to withdraw you from the programme. This may be with reference to:

Professional behaviour / misconduct

Personal integrity

Attitudes

Attendance

Social Networking


Where there is evidence of professional unsuitability and / or misconduct the Disciplinary and / or the Fitness for Practice procedure will be followed. Please refer to your programme handbook for further information The NMC Guidance on professional conduct for nursing and midwifery students (2011) refers to the four core principles of The Code (2011). As set out below:

1. Make the care of people your first concern, treating them as individuals and

respecting your dignity

2. Work with others to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of those in your care, their families and carers, and the wider community

3. Provide a high standard of practice and care at all times

4. Be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of your

profession Therefore you are required to actively engage with your course. Take ownership of your learning as this is an important aspect of your professional development. This will also fulfil your professional obligation to uphold the standing professional, The Code (2015) and the reputation of the University. Protocol for Raising Matters of Concern

A protocol for raising matters of concern in practice has been agreed for dealing with incidents involving learners in practice. Causes for concern may arise in the practice setting relating to:

Insufficient progress by yourself – the student;

Student or mentor / Sign Off Mentor concerns regarding inadequacy of the provision of practice experience/teaching and learning.

Student concern regarding poor standards of care Please read the guidance on the NMC website http://www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/NMC-Publications/NMC-Raising-and-escalating-concerns.pdf or Placement moodle website. If you witness or are involved in an incident (any occurrence which has given rise to actual or possible personal injury, patient dissatisfaction, property loss or damage) or near miss (any occurrence which does not result in injury, patient death, dissatisfaction, property loss or damage but had the potential to do so) within the Trust or any associated placement you must report the incident according to the Trusts organisational policy. The University has devised a Flowchart ‘University of Bolton –Process of dealing with incidents involving Students - Student Process’ to illustrate the correct course of action for staff and students. (See Appendix1.). As part of each practice placement induction you will be informed of the importance of, and process for, raising and escalating concerns when on practice placements.

Definition of Incidents Adverse Incident Any occurrence which has given rise to actual or possible personal injury, patient dissatisfaction, Property loss or damage. The occurrence may be clinical or non-clinical in origin. Examples Clinical:

Medication error

Medical equipment failure

Patient fall Non-clinical:

Property loss

Theft

Fire

http://www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/NMC-Publications/NMC-Raising-and-escalating-concerns.pdf

http://www.nmc-uk.org/Documents/NMC-Publications/NMC-Raising-and-escalating-concerns.pdf


Raising Concerns Regarding a Practice Placement Experience

It is important that we know about your learning experiences in the practice placement. The University and the Trust are responsible for ensuring that you are exposed to positive learning environments and best practice. There may be on an occasion that you may consider that your practice placement learning experience has been unsatisfactory this maybe in relation to: See appendix for flowcharts regarding process. Mentorship process –allocation of a mentor / sign off mentor; progress interviews at the required times, spending at least 40% of your time with your mentor in practice; receiving verbal and written feedback; experiencing effective inter-personal relationships with mentor / staff. Support – sufficient support; discussion regarding your support needs; reasonable adjustments in accordance with your support plan; treated with respect; exposure to good practice and role models. Learning Opportunities – Maximising learning opportunities available, factors that may be affecting your learning. You must be aware that you do need to inform service users that you are a student nurse. You need to gain their consent for you to participate in their care. Please be aware that the Service User has a right to refuse. It is also important that you raise concerns at the earliest possible time. Do not leave this until you have left the placement. The staff should have the opportunity to address your concerns prior to you leaving. It is recognised that raising concerns can be difficult, however there are various support staff in place to offer help including, your mentor; Sign Off Mentor; Clinical Tutor, University Link Lecturer; personal Tutor and Programme Lead

If you do experience some concerns regarding your placement experience you will need to complete the Practice Learning Environment Report Form. See appendix 2 Outstanding Practice Placement Experience

It is important that your experience in practice informs the Academic Group and placement providers’ understanding of what is happening to students when in practice. The importance of feedback is well recognised and its essential and you will be required to complete a practice placement evaluation form (on-line and / or via a student forum) at the end of each practice placement. Your feedback will form part of the audit / quality monitoring process and sharing of best practice. However, it is important that when you experience an excellent or outstanding learning environment the clinical colleagues receive University and the Trust recognition for their positive contribution to you learning and development. There are several key people that you can raise your positive practice learning experience with; 1. The Mentor


2. The Sign Off Mentor 3. The Placement manager 4. The Placement Educational Lead 5. The Clinical Tutor 6. The University Link lecturer See appendix 3 for the process for recognising an outstanding practice learning experience.

Other Practice Learning

In addition to the theory / module learning and practice placement learning you will have the opportunity for shared learning across the 3 years. Whilst you are based in the trust you will be invited to access a wide range of Inter Professional Learning Session facilitated by the Practice Education Facilitator’s (PEF’s). Currently the Trust has 35 individual IPL sessions and the plan is to have 50 by November 2014. This range of sessions include: Adverse Drug Reactions, Bereavement & Tissue Donation, Learning Disability Training, Wound Management, Fluid Balance and Renal Function to name but a few. There will also be joint sessions in relation to clinical skills.


Glossary of Terms

Clinical Educator Employed and based within the NHS organisation to provide student and placement support. This role will liaise with the placement areas and inform them of student allocations, allocate students to practice placements, work with students in practice, support students and mentors with any issues or concerns

Mentor (Nursing and Midwifery)

An NMC mentor is a registrant who, following successful completion of an NMC approved mentor preparation programme – or comparable preparation that has been accredited by an HEI as meeting the NMC requirements – has achieved the knowledge and skills and competence required to meet the defined outcomes

Placement Assessment Documentation (PAD)

The assessments documentation that consists of all the assessment criteria a student will be working towards along with all the required forms to be completed whilst in practice

Professional Development Portfolio An individual's personal record of learning and achievements, progress reviews and plans. These records are used to clarify personal goals and provide a resource from which material is selected to produce concise personal statements (e.g. CVs and application forms) required by employers and admissions tutors. It is within this Portfolio where students are required to evidence they have met the required NMC programme requirements.

Placement Education Lead (PEL) / Student Link

A designated individual who facilitates the maintenance of quality learning environment and who is responsible for ensuring the audit document is completed.

Placement Provider NHS Trusts / Non NHS organisations.


Practice Education Facilitator (PEF)

A Trust employee whose role it is to facilitate learning in practice for all undergraduate healthcare students, with a particular focus on quality assurance and inter-professional learning, following a successful placement audit.

Sign Off Mentor (Nursing and Midwifery)

A Sign Off Mentor is a qualified Mentor that has met additional criteria in order that they are able to make judgments about whether a student has achieved the overall standards of competence required for entry to the register at the end of your programme.

University Link Lecturer (ULL)

Academic Staff from an HEI who link to the practice placement area and are responsible for verifying the audit document. To provide support and guidance to the practice placement in relation to the learning and assessments of students in practice


Appendices


Appendix 1- Flow chart of concerns and form University of Bolton –Process of dealing with incidents involving Students Student Process If you (the student) witnesses or are involved in an incident or near miss in the Trust or any associated placement you must report the incident according to the Trusts & Universities policy

Following the incident The student must contact the University (personal Tutor / programme lead / ULL) and the trust PEF / Clinical Tutor within 1 working day informing them of the incident / near miss. You will then need to complete a Placement Learning Environment Report Form – your mentor, clinical tutor or personal tutor will provide guidance and support in helping you complete this. This must then be submitted to your personal tutor or Programme lead, or ULL on completion.

Definition of Incidents Adverse Incident Any occurrence which has given rise to actual or possible personal injury, patient dissatisfaction, Property loss or damage. The occurrence may be clinical or non-clinical in origin. Examples Clinical:

Medication error

Medical equipment failure

Patient fall Non-clinical:

Property loss

Theft

Fire

Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour

Incident involving a staff or public member

Near Miss Any event or occurrence which has the potential to cause harm, injury, loss or dissatisfaction can be clinical or non-clinical Hazard Anything that has the potential to cause injury, damage or loss

Definition of Incidents Adverse Incident Any occurrence which has given rise to actual or possible personal injury, patient dissatisfaction, Property loss or damage. The occurrence may be clinical or non-clinical in origin. Clinical: Medication error, medical equipment failure, patient fall Non-clinical: property loss, theft, fire, verbal abuse or threatening behaviour, incident involving a staff or public member Near Miss Any event or occurrence which has the potential to cause harm, injury, loss or dissatisfaction can be clinical or non-clinical Hazard Anything that has the potential to cause injury, damage or loss


Appendix 2 Practice Learning Environment Report Form

Student Concerns (SC) Student concerns have been raised in relation to a practice learning environment.

Student Incident (SI) A student / students have been involved in or witnessed a serious and untoward incident or near miss whilst on placement.

Practice Placement Area

Trust / Organisation

Name Contact Details

Mentor / Sign Off Mentor / Practice Teacher

Clinical Tutor / Practice Education Facilitator

University Link Lecturer

Name Programme & Cohort

Student

Summary of student concerns / SC or SI

Action taken to resolve the issue(s)

SI: Has the Personal Tutor been notified? SC: Has the ULL or Programme lead been notified

Yes No Yes No

Issue(s) resolved: No further action required

Please ensure the completed Practice Learning Environment Report Form is signed and dated below and returned to the ULL or Programme lead. Student:

Date:

Practice Education Facilitator / Clinical Tutor:

Date:

University Link Lecturer/ Programme Lead:

Date:

Please provide a copy of the completed Practice Learning Environment Report Form to the ULL or Programme lead, Placement Manager, Modern Matron / Clinical Tutor

Section A: Nature of Report

Section B: Details

Section C: Report Outcome


Issue(s) not resolved: Further action required

Please complete Section D

Summary of Actions Date to be Achieved

1

2

3

4

5

6

Has the placement been temporarily withdrawn as a practice learning environment?

Yes No

If yes, has the Clinical Tutor / ULL or Programme leader been notified?

Yes No

Please ensure the completed Practice Learning Environment Report Form is signed and dated below and returned to the ULL or Programme lead, Placement Manager, Modern Matron / Clinical Tutor Student:

Date:

Practice Education Facilitator/ Clinical Tutor:

Date:

University Link Lecturer / Programme Lead:

Date:

Please provide a copy of the completed Practice Learning Environment Report Form to the ULL or Programme lead, Placement Manager, Modern Matron / Clinical Tutor

Following completion of the action plan please complete Section E.

I, the undersigned, confirm that all actions in relation to the above action plan have been achieved. Practice Education Facilitator / Clinical Tutor:

Date:

University Link Lecturer / Programme Lead:

Date:

If the placement was withdrawn as a practice learning environment during the action plan, can

Yes No N/A

Section D: Action Plan

Section E: Action Plan Completion


students now return to placement?

Have all relevant personnel been notified? Yes No

Please provide a copy of the updated Practice Learning Environment Report Form to the ULL or Programme lead, Placement Manager, Modern Matron / Clinical Tutor

Risk Status

Low

Medium

High

Outcome

Issue(s) resolved: No further action required

Issue(s) not resolved: Please tick as appropriate

Placement placed on hold for current use

Placement removed from the training circuit

Appropriate external agencies have been notified Yes Not required

If yes, please provide details below

Signature: Date:

Please return the completed form the Programme Lead

To be completed by the Programme Lead for the relevant Practice Learning


Discuss your outstanding practice learning experience with your Mentor or Clinical Tutor

Complete the On-line Evaluation form via Moodle

Complete the Academic Group on-line nomination form for recognising excellence in practice via Moodle

Your feedback will be provided to: The Clinical Tutor The Placement area The University Link Lecturer The Programme Lead

A copy of the evaluation form is filled in the Placement Audit

A copy of the evaluation is filled within the Academic Group

The nomination form is presented to the panel for recognising Excellence in Practice Learning and the best practice awarded

Evaluation data is provided as evidence for the NMC and University programme quality monitoring reviews

Appendix 3 Process for Recognising an Outstanding Practice Learning Experience


Mapping of Modules to evidence The BSc Nursing (Adult) programme:

Equip students with the skills and competencies to deliver the quality standards for end of life care

NHS values and behaviours are embedded

Commitment to Quality

Compassion

Improving Lives

Working Together

Everyone Counts

Service User Involvement

Employer Engagement

Respect 6 C’s

Modules

Caring and compassionate foundation skills for nursing practice

X X X X X X X X X

Developing graduate skills & using evidence to inform practice

X X X X X

Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology

X X X X X

Contemporary approaches to health & well-being

X X X X X X X X X

Foundation of medicines management

X X X X X

Introduction to the principles of professional practice

X X X X X X X X X

Care of Acute Physical & Mental

X X X X X X X X X


Health issues across the lifespan


Compassion

Improving Lives

Working Together

Everyone Counts


Employer Engagement

Respect 6 C’s

Care of Complex Physical & Mental Health issues across the lifespan

X X X X X X X X X

Principles of medicines management

X X X X X

Enhancing health & wellbeing

X X X X X X X X X

Contemporary nursing care for the older person

X X X X X X X X X

Preparation, transition and nursing management for professional practice

X X X X X X X X X

Application of medicines management

X X X X X

Applied Adult nursing practice

X X X X X

Nursing care of patients with acute

X X X X X X X X X


changes


Compassion

Improving Lives

Working Together

Everyone Counts


Employer Engagement

Respect 6 C’s

Contemporary approaches to Dementia Care

X X X X X X X X X

Safeguarding Vulnerable adults

X X X X X X X X X

Palliative & end of life care in adult nursing practice

X X X X X X X X X

Developing the evidence base for professional nursing practice

X X X X X X X X X