Professional Practice in Healthcare (Negotiated Specialism) MSc

Why study Professional Practice in Healthcare (negotiated specialism) MSc at Middlesex University?

The Professional Practice in Healthcare MSc is an innovative programme suitable for any degree-level practicing nurse or midwife who wishes to follow a flexible pathway towards a masters degree.

This part-time programme allows you to plan a study pathway which meets your personal, professional, academic and service development needs. The programme is designed so that, where possible, masters level credits which you may have achieved through prior study, can be applied to your programme (recognised prior learning or RPL).

All students will be offered a programme planning meeting with the programme leader that will determine the relevant pathway. At the beginning of the programme, an induction programme planning meeting will assist students to determine the optional modules (where applicable) to be undertaken that will clearly demonstrate the nursing or midwifery pathway. Programme review meetings will be conducted every term by the programme leader to support and guide students.

We recognise that as healthcare staff, you will have a range of work and professional commitments and devoting time to your studies will be a huge undertaking. Academic staff who teach on the programme have extensive experience in nursing or midwifery and education. We use these skills to help you to identify and then achieve your full potential.

Course highlights

• Pre-course consultation
• Individualised study pathway
• Tailored to current and future development needs
• Inter-professional learning with midwives, nurses, mental health nurses, social workers and educationalists
• Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
• Work-based learning research modules making the masters highly applicable to the organisation you work in
• Enhancement of professional nursing practice and service development
• Acquisition of critical understanding and advanced research skills
• As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for each module.

About your course

What will you study on the Professional Practice in Healthcare MSc?

The Professional Practice in Healthcare MSc is a part-time programme. It consists of 180 credits made up of 90 credits of optional modules and two core research modules (90 credits). A list of modules is available on the University CPD website.

‘Top-up’ route if you have 120 level 7 credits

Students who already have a post-graduate diploma in nursing or midwifery or who have 120 level 7 credits from prior learning, could apply for the Professional Practice in Healthcare ‘top up’ route. This route consists of a single combined research methods/ dissertation module, NSA 4050 Developing Research Capability (60 credits).

What will you gain?

A masters degree will significantly contribute to your personal and professional development. It can be the gateway to career advancement and many of our students move to senior or specialist roles on completion of the masters.

With a masters degree from Middlesex University you might consider a MPhil or PhD and make a lasting contribution to the field of nursing or midwifery.

Modules

Optional modules may include a choice from the following:

• NSA 4900 Non-Medical Prescribing
• NSA 4502 Physical assessment and diagnostics
• NSA 4637/4638 Contraception and sexual health
• NSA 4100 Leadership for public and community services
• NSA 4200 Service Development and Quality Improvement
• NSA 4504 Minor Illness Module
• NSA 4700 Practice Educator

The two core modules of the MSc Nursing Studies are:

• WBH 4630 Advanced Practitioner Inquiry
• WBH 4760 Work Based Learning Project (final dissertation)

Student testimonial

"I undertook the Middlesex University Masters pathway to Nursing Studies and completed my course in January 2023. 

"I was appointed a designated university faculty member who provided guidance and expert knowledge on how I may want to build my pathway into a level 7 MSc qualification. The faculty member met with me numerous times to check on my progress, encourage me and answer any questions I had.

"The modules that I undertook were in part guided by Middlesex. Middlesex set up sessions where we explored my role working in the NHS and what would be relevant to my current role and prospects as I continued my career. This offered a flexible and dynamic approach. 

"As I had recently become a service manager, I wanted to complete modules that would help me embed a more strategic perspective on how to implement system changes with a focus on research, service development and quality improvement. 

"Since undertaking my masters pathway my team has grown and portfolio of work has diversified. It has given me the confidence to manage different workstreams, engage both internally and externally with stakeholders and gain influence with senior leaders in organisations as peers."

Professional Practice in Healthcare MSc graduate, 2023