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MSc - Pre-Registration Nursing/Registered Nurse: Adult Nursing

Did you know you can become a nurse in just 2 years? On this accelerated programme you can become a confident, competent, caring, and compassionate nurse with all the skills you need to take the next step in your career. You'll learn in a supportive, forward-thinking, and well-connected environment. Explore all aspects of nursing, from the fundamentals of providing care to caring for patients with complex needs.

You'll develop specialist skills including communication, decision-making, team working, leadership, management and upholding professional values so that you can achieve your full potential as an adult nurse.



Accredited by:

Nursing & Midwife Council

Pre-Registration Nursing/Registered Nurse: Adult Nursing cover image

Course Overview

The MSc Adult Nursing (Pre-registration) course aims to prepare graduates for the complex, demanding, and rewarding area of adult nursing. The course provides graduates from a range of backgrounds with the opportunity to transfer their skills to become a registered Adult Nurse. Build on your undergraduate experience and become a fully-qualified nurse in two years. Become eligible for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a qualified adult nurse.

To gain vital real-world experience; 50% of your course is spent on placement. Your placement will be spent across a varied range of clinical environments for example, accident and emergency, medical/surgical, older adults, orthopaedics, palliative care and hospice nursing. Obtain sought-after postgraduate credentials, with a NHS Band 5 prospective starting salary.

On this course you will...

  • Develop the skills and knowledge to practice as a confident, competent and caring Adult Nurse as well as the opportunity to enjoy a rewarding career in an area of your choice!
  • Learn through the support of experienced practice assessors/supervisors whilst on placement and from nursing staff and academics in both the classroom and simulated clinical environments.
  • Be a part of an intimate cohort so that you will benefit from close tuition from the nursing team who will be on hand to support you through your studies and help facilitate your learning.
  • Have access to a range of technology to enhance your learning. These include clinicalskills.net; OCULUS - a virtual reality headset for simulated activities; and a Pharmacology and Prescribing Resource.
  • Exit with a MSc in Nursing and be eligible to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council as a Registered Nurse (RN)

Course Structure

What you will learn

The MSc Adult Nursing (Pre-registration) course aims to prepare graduates for the complex, demanding, and rewarding area of adult nursing. The course provides those from a range of backgrounds with the opportunity to transfer their skills to become a registered nurse (adult). Adult nurses work across a wide range of clinical and community settings. Some of these include working in Theatres & Recovery, Medical-Surgical, Palliative Care, Intensive Care, Accident & Emergency, District Nursing, GP Practices and a wide range of specialisms.

This master's is for graduates of a degree who aspire to qualify for eligibility to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register. The course is underpinned by the core values of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and aims to promote critical thinking skills and the spirit of inquiry.

Over the past few decades, the role of the nurse has developed due to the changing context of health and social care, resulting in a wide range of new roles and services. Registered nurses (adult) hold a significant role in terms of leading and coordinating care provision for people across the lifespan; aware of complex mental, physical, cognitive, and behavioural care needs of those they look after.

This master's degree aims to develop registered nurses (adult) who prioritise people by providing safe and effective care, educating those in their care through the use of technology, promoting health literacy to prevent ill health, and supporting healthy choices and lifestyles. The course has been developed to raise the professional values and social conscience of students to prepare them for future healthcare roles.

Nurses translate evidence-based knowledge to improve healthcare delivery while maintaining and emphasising the ethics of person-centred care. Modules on this course have been designed with this in mind and aim to stimulate innovation, improve quality, manage risk, and identify areas for productive change.

The University of Cumbria, together with our practice partners, share a vision to prepare students to become dynamic nurses that are fit for practice in rapidly changing and challenging care environments.

Year one
  • Concepts, Theories and Practice in Professional Nursing
    To critically evaluate the legal, ethical and professional concepts which inform the complexities of decision making in health & social care practice.
  • Pathophysiology and Nursing Assessment Across the Lifespan
    The aim of this module is to apply in-depth knowledge of pathophysiology and clinical reasoning skills in the assessment and management of patients with core clinical conditions.
  • The Evidence Base for Adult Nursing Practice
    To apply in-depth knowledge, evidence and understanding of the issues and principles that inform Adult Nursing Practice.
  • Public Health and Nursing in Communities
    To critically appraise and evaluate the public health and social care agendas and their impact on individuals, groups and communities.
  • Part 1 Practice Assessment (Year 1)
    Prepare students for their placements in part 1 of the programme in terms of health and safety of themselves and others, and the people in their care.
  • Part 2 Practice Assessment (Year 1)
    Prepare students for their placements in part 2 of the programme in terms of health and safety of themselves and others, and the people in their care
Year two
  • Pharmacology for Contemporary Nursing Practice
    To demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge, understanding and application of the principles of pharmacology and medicine therapeutics in the management of care.
  • Managing Complexity in Adult Nursing Practice
    To consolidate and further develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in the management of adult nursing practice in a variety of settings.
  • Transforming Care in Nursing
    To consolidate students’ knowledge and ability to synthesise the evidence base and lead, change and improve an aspect of service quality within their scope of professional practice.
  • Part 3 Practice Assessment (Year 2)
    Prepare students for their placements in part 3 of the programme in terms of health and safety of themselves and others, and the people in their care.

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
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