BSc Nursing Practice (CPD) / Course details

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE)

Course unit fact file
Unit code NURS9399C
Credit rating 20
Unit level Cont Education/Prof Developmen
Teaching period(s) Variable teaching patterns
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Welcome to Newborn Infant Physical Examination. During this level 6 course unit, you will be prepared for the extended role in examination of the newborn baby. This will involve a review of existing knowledge and experience along with the acquisition of additional knowledge and skills to enable you to undertake this role in clinical practice once the unit has been successfully completed.
 
You may undertake this course unit as part of a degree pathway or as a ‘stand alone’ unit. 
 

Aims

To enable the practitioner to acquire in depth,  and up to date knowledge and skills to competently perform a comprehensive examination of the neonate;  to recognise deviations from the normal parameters of newborn health, and to exercise accountability  in record keeping and appropriate referral.

Knowledge and understanding

  • Apply accurate and extended knowledge of the normal anatomical and physiological characteristics of the new-born
  • Utilise the knowledge and skills to competently perform an accurate assessment of the neonate.
 

Intellectual skills

  • Evaluate critically and apply the current evidence base to new-born infant physical examination
  • Critically evaluate normal neuro –behavioural patterns of the term  newborn baby.
  • Critically analyse and discuss the normal characteristics of the term newborn and recognise deviations from the norm.
  • Examine critically the legal and ethical implications of the expanded  role in relation to examination of the term newborn baby.
 

Practical skills

  • Demonstrate competence in the, holistic and systematic examination of the term new-born baby.
  • Recognise potential and actual pathophysiological and congenital abnormalities and utilise appropriate intervention in these circumstances.
  • Competently demonstrate problem- solving skills in relation to assessment of the term new-born baby.
  • Justify decision and refer to the appropriate person/ agency  where necessary
 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate skilled management of interpersonal communication in a multidisciplinary team in relation to examination of the term new-born.
  • Demonstrate personal and professional responsibility and accountability in accurate record keeping in relation to NIPE.
  • Demonstrate skill in communicating any concerns regarding the well-being of the baby to the parents. 
 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%
Practical skills assessment 50%

Feedback methods

Students will normally have the opportunity to receive feedback on formative work submitted prior to the summative assessment. Other feedback opportunities will also be available in class and online discussion boards. Online feedback is provided in Grademark. Provisional feedback based on internal marking will be made available prior to the Exam Board on the basis that these marks are yet to be ratified at the Exam Board and therefore may be subject to change. A standard feedback mechanism in Grademark is utilised across all postgraduate programmes within the School which provides detailed and constructive feedback on each component and aspect of assessment and identifies areas of strength and those aspects which could be enhanced.

Student feedback is obtained through open discussion forums on blackboard, in class discussions, via formal University unit evaluation forms and also qualitative, in house evaluations at the end of the unit. 

Recommended reading

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 42
Tutorials 2
Independent study hours
Independent study 156

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Tracey Jones Unit coordinator

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