Introduction to Critical Care (Level 7)

Applicants will apply through the online registration process and must meet the criteria to enter the programme.

Please download and complete this form, and attach it to your application. Please note this is not the application itself.

This is an online module offering a combination of flexible independent study and live online seminar sessions to support your learning.

Key bioscience disciplines, such as anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology will be introduced along with critical care patient management strategies. This provides a strong foundation to support your development within critical care.

Who is it for?

It is suitable for health professionals who are new and wish to extend their skills and knowledge in critical care practice and are currently involved in the care of acutely/critically ill patients.

Timetable

Term 1

Sept: Monday 29 September 2025 (Introduction session)
Oct: Monday 6 and 20 October 2025
Nov: Monday 3 and 17 November
Dec: Monday 1 December 2025

Term 3

May: Monday 11 May 2026 (Introduction session) & Monday 18 May 2026
Jun: Monday 1,15 and 29 June 2026
Jul: Monday 6 July 2026

Examinations will be held on campus.

Benefits

This introductory module will provide an excellent foundation in critical care and permit onward progression for your qualification in Critical Care (CAM001/CA3001).

This module is 15 credits and can be taken as a stand-alone module or contribute to a University degree or award.

This module will allow you to critically evaluate fundamental concepts for specialist practice with content that reflects the broad nature of Intensive Care practice.

The module syllabus typically includes:

• Patient physical assessment
• Physiology and pathophysiology of:
  • Respiratory system
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Renal System
  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Neurological system
  • Commonly used pharmacology in each system
• Investigations, interpretation, and application of results
• Psychosocial care of the patient and their family

Treatment modalities will be introduced, such as:

• Introduction to advanced respiratory support
• Introduction to cardiovascular monitoring
• Renal replacement therapy

Evidenced based practice

• Tools for searching and selecting evidence from a range of sources

Additionally, related concepts on professionalism, wellbeing and team work will be addressed.

By the end of the course, you will be able to  safely contribute towards the care and management of critically ill adult patients.

There is a total of 21 hours online face-to-face sessions in the form of webinars, lectures and online discussion activities.

Self-directed learning using provided online material is in addition to these sessions. We will encourage you to prepare for your sessions and direct you towards key literature and recent research.

Throughout the module, you will participate in a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies, such as:

• Online lectures, both synchronous (participants are engaged at the same time online) and asynchronous (you need to plan time to engage with these, so you are prepared for your synchronous sessions).
• Online seminars in small groups to discuss materials related to your online lectures
• Case based learning via tutorials and independent work
• Guided independent study
• Work-based learning through the support of your clinical mentors

Assessment

Examination

This assessment requires you to sit a 1.5 hour scenario-based examination (open book exam) where you will address one case study. Topics will be distributed five weeks prior to the date of the examination. The examination requires you to:

* Answer all questions based on the scenario provided

* Evaluate clinical data

* Demonstrate knowledge of the physiological, psychological and social aspects of critical care nursing

* Use evidence-based research to answer your questions

Assessment 2:

You are required to write an essay – 1500 words based on a given patient scenario

*   You will be required to explain the pathophysiology of critical illness affecting the patient and discuss one aspects of treatment

* Critically evaluate the current literature within the essay. Demonstrates advanced engagement with literature, critically appraising sources used, comparing perspectives and drawing conclusion based on evidence.

Details for both assessments can be found in the assessment guidelines. The module will be passed by achieving a minimum of 50% overall.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 15 credits toward eligible programmes.

You must be a registered nurse working within a critical care unit and have the support of your line manager to undertake this module.

English requirements

For those students whose first language is not English the following qualification is also required:

• IELTS: 7.0

You will be accessing contemporary online critical care journals and literature from nursing, medical and allied health professional sources.

We will also suggest material during the class and provide a comprehensive reading list on Moodle.