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V300 Programme - Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Registered Nurses
Accredited by University College Birmingham
Course Level
Undergraduate
Duration
1 academic year
Placement
90 hours of supervised prescribing practice (protected learning time)
Entry
September, February
Fees
View Fees
Small teaching group sizes will enable a personalised approach to your learning and excellent engagement with the teaching team
This is an excellent opportunity to develop professionally and advance to senior or supervisory roles, such as a community specialist practitioner (SPQ), advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) or an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP).
The aim of this 40-credit programme is to prepare you as a Registered Nurse to become a safe and competent Independent and Supplementary (non-medical) prescriber of medicines (from the British National Formulary), to work within your area of competence and scope of practice.
You will learn to prescribe safely, appropriately, and cost-effectively as both an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber. Following successful completion of the programme, as an NMC Registered Nurse (level 1), or a Community Specialist Practitioner (SPQ) or a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) you are eligible to be recorded as a nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescriber (V300) on the NMC register.
Why should I choose this course?
- INDUSTRY APPROVED – The course been developed in partnership with our employer and practice partners, industry experts and experts-by-experience (service users) so the programme considers the current health and social care priorities for prescribing practice, as well as the NMC and Royal Pharmaceutical Society requirements
- CAREER PROGRESSION – Once your annotation is active, you can prescribe within your scope of practice within the approved formulary, in your current role, or search for new roles to progress your career
- FLEXIBLE LEARNING - The programme delivery will be flexible, with online as well as face-face teaching sessions, simulated practice learning, self-directed study, e-learning, and supervised practice
Our facilities
As part of this programme, you will have access to University College Birmingham’s specialist practical and academic learning environments in Moss House and McIntyre House. These include our Health Skills and Simulation Suite, complete with a purpose-built, six-bed hospital ward with simulation manikins, Anatomage table, integrated filming and audio equipment and a community care environment for simulated scenario sessions and ‘OSCE’ practice.
Course breakdown
Module 1
20 credit Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Skills Module
This module will prepare you to undertake a proficient clinical assessment of your users of service/client/patient group, to complement and enhance your existing practice so that you can perform at an Advanced/ Specialist level of practice.
This will include taking an in-depth comprehensive history conducting an appropriate physical examination and the use of clinical reasoning skills to formulate and refine relevant differential diagnoses with an initial understanding of prescribing decisions.
Demonstration and supervised practice for physical examination, head-to-toe assessment and safe prescribing will be provided.
Although there will be an emphasis on clinical indications, assessment will also consider mental and emotional health and social circumstances that warrant further assessment and/or onward appropriate referral to agencies/services.
The module will introduce health literacy, mental health and neurodiversity considerations to be made in the assessment process in recognition of the importance of using an holistic approach.
Module topics:
Perspectives and theories of patient assessment, health policy and processes, exploring the evidence base
Physical examination of the following organs and systems: head, neck, ear, eye, nose, throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, peripheral vascular and what constitutes normal/abnormal and common differential diagnosis within each system
Mental Health and Neurodiversity assessment, consideration of learning needs and health literacy, cultural competence
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, reasonable adjustments
Lifespan considerations for assessment and prescribing
Differential diagnosis skills using high level decision making, application, analysis and interpretation of information gained from taking a patient history
Problem solving and critical analysis skills
Holistic history taking skills using a biopsychosocial approach to the consultation
Therapeutic communication and consultation skills
Different types of physical examinations – systematic (head-to-toe) or problem-focused/localised
Documentation tools, processes, risk assessments, digital technology, data analysis, prescription documentation
Patient education, health promotion in relation to the diagnosis and prescription
Discharge planning, referral processes across different services and systems
Literature searching and appraisal of evidence.
OSCE preparation
Initial Academic Assessor Meeting and ePortfolio preparation requirements session
The Code (NMC,2018) / and Post Registration Education Standards (NMC,2023) in relation to this module and the prescribing role
The 4 pillars of Advanced Practice and how the framework relates to this module
Introduction to ‘The Competency Framework for all Prescribers’ (RPS, 2019)
NMC (2023) Standards for Prescribing Programmes, and how this relates to this module
Module 2
40 credit Independent and Supplementary Prescribing Module
This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with the NMC. The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring, and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.
Roles:
As an independent prescriber, you will be responsible and accountable for the assessment of patients with undiagnosed or diagnosed conditions and for decisions about the clinical management required, including prescribing.
As a supplementary prescriber you will work in a voluntary partnership with a registered medical practitioner (a doctor or dentist) to implement an agreed patient-specific written clinical management plan (CMP) with the patient’s agreement.
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicines-guidance/non-medical-prescribing/
In line with professional and statutory regulatory requirements, there will be a written pharmacology examination with a pass mark of 80% and a prescribing calculation / numeracy assessment with a pass mark of 100% plus an e-Portfolio assignment submission based on 2 case-studies.
The learning outcomes and competencies are applied to the four fields of nursing practice (adult, mental health, learning disabilities and children’s nursing) as well as to specialist community public health nursing, community specialist practice nursing, advanced clinical practice roles and advanced and specialist allied health professional roles.
As you are studying at postgraduate level you are expected to take responsibility for your own learning and contextualising the information given on your study days to your own specific practice area.
You will be taught alongside NMC/HCPC students and will benefit from inter-professional learning as students from a variety of specialities and professional background are taught together.
Module Topics:
The syllabus for the teaching reflects the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's (2021) multiprofessional ‘Competency Framework for all prescribers’ and meets current regulatory requirements to register as an Independent and / or Supplementary prescriber. RPS (2021) A competency framework for all prescribers.
The competencies within the framework are presented as two domains and describe the knowledge, skill, behaviour, activity, or outcome that prescribers should demonstrate:
Domain one - the consultation
This domain looks at the competencies that the prescriber should demonstrate during the consultation.
Domain two - prescribing governance
This domain focuses on the competencies that the prescriber should demonstrate with respect to prescribing governance.
In addition to the above, the module content includes:
Anatomy and physiology
Person centred communication, information provision and shared decision making
Legal, ethical and professional issues
Clinical pharmacology, including effects of co-morbidities
Evidence based practice and issues of quality related to prescribing practice
Professional accountability and responsibility
Concordance strategies and overcoming clinical inertia
Monitoring and reviewing strategies
Prescribing in the team context
Prescribing in the public health context including health promotion
Models of consultation and motivational interviewing
Introductions to epidemiology
Service user partnership and collaboration
Consider prescribing options
Prescribing safety
Improving prescribing practice through reflection
Academic and Practical Skills
Studying and academic reflective writing skills for Level 7
Critical appraisal skills
Exam Preparation – exam techniques
Healthcare Numeracy and Prescribing calculations preparation
Overview of the Practice Assessment Document and assessment
requirements and the role of the Academic Assessor and Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPP) Practice Assessors/ Educators, and the role of Practice Supervisors
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Nurses must meet the NMC (2023) entry requirements for prescribing programmes (page 10).
You must have been a Registered Nurse (level 1) for 1+ year with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
The NMC register will be checked to confirm current registration of ALL applicants.
Self-funding / Non-NHS Applicants
We will consider self-funding applicants, or applicants working outside of the NHS, but you must meet the entry criteria for the programme and be working for an organisation that will support you in this role. You must demonstrate on your application that you have practice supervision and practice assessment requirements in place. Please follow the application form guidance.
Can I self-fund for aesthetics?
Yes, we will accept self-funded applicants e.g., Registered Nurses working in private practice, for example, aesthetics practice.
Please follow the application form guidance. Applicants will be asked to provide all aesthetics practice education certificates and be interviewed.
A DBS check will be required with the application form.
The Practice Assessor must be working in the same area as the student, for example if the student is an aesthetic practitioner, they will need to be assessed in this clinical area.
If the identified placement is non CQC registered the person responsible for the learning environment will need to complete an audit and provide UCB a tour of the premises.
Practice Assessor (PA) and Practice Supervisor (PS) Commitment
Your PA and PS must submit commitment forms as part of the application process.
This form requires a declaration of their qualifications and competence as Registered Prescribers to be able to support, supervise and assess you within their role as either Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor.
This agreement must be provided to the Programme Lead for assessment as part of your enrolment onto the programme. Enrolment will not be complete until the programme team have verified you have the required support in place, and you will not be able to start the programme until we have assurance of this.
Enrolment
If the application is successful, applicants will receive an invitation to enrol. If more information is required, or an applicant requests ‘Recognition for Prior Learning’, then the applicant will attend a short interview with the programme lead to discuss their application.
At this stage the applicant chooses how to pay the programme fees - several payment options are available.
Application Process
For ALL applicants:
If you are currently working in a role that will not allow you to prescribe, you cannot apply for this programme.
Application Process
There are three components to your application:
1. Your information
2. Manager’s approval
3. Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor Commitment
As an applicant, you must complete the application form as part of the admission process, to provide evidence that you meet all of criteria for entry onto the programme
It can take up to 2 months to receive a formal offer especially if your application form is incomplete, requires information or you do not have a DBS in place. It is best to apply early to avoid disappointment.
The completed application, with manager’s commendation, must be returned to nfaree@ucb.ac.uk two months before the start of the programme for assessment
Please ensure that all elements are completed, or your application may be rejected
If you work for a Trust or an employer with a non-medical prescribing lead, they MUST approve your application
On your application, your non-medical prescribing lead / employer will need to provide supportive evidence that you have
At least one year’s experience working in a role with an identified clinical need for prescribing
The appropriate knowledge and experience in the area in which you intend to prescribe
Protected time for the 90 hours of supervised prescribing practice
Protected time for the 24 days of academic study time
The appropriate clinical supervision, clinical governance, and indemnity insurance to cover your future prescribing practice
A current Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The programme team will consider Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) that is capable of being mapped to the RPS Competency Framework for all Prescribers. You must request a consideration for this on the application form.
If RPL is applied to Module 1 (Advanced Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis Skills) so it doesn’t need to be studied– then the cost of the 40-credit compulsory Module 2 (Independent and Supplementary Prescribing) is £xxx
N.B.: Without RPL for this 1st module with evidence that you meet the requirements of this module from your manager, then Module 1 must be studied as part of the programme.
Costs
Employer-sponsored applications/ apprenticeships
If an employer has agreed to fund the programme, or if this programme is an integrated part of a full apprenticeship, then further details will be provided to the employer and funding agreements/ contracts will be required.
Apprentices: If this programme is taken as part of a full Level 6 or Level 7 apprenticeship, then the levy fee arrangement will cover the full programme costs.
Self-funded students – if this programme is taken as part of a full master’s programme, the cost for a master’s programme is £xxxxx (2024-25 cost).
Master’s students can apply for a post-graduate loan to cover the course cost of the full MSc programme: Funding for postgraduate study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
If all 60 credits are studied as the full V300 stand-alone programme, this will cost £xxxx. (2024-25 cost)
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Most study sessions are delivered via live online lectures or smaller tutorial sessions via MS Teams, with complementary directed e-learning.
The induction day, 2 practical sessions and ALL assessments at the end of each semester are held onsite at UCB Moss House campus (OSCE and 2 x written exams).
Assessment Module 1:
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) - 90 minutes
- Practice Assessment Document (if studying this module as part of a MSc Community Specialist Practice Qualification)
or
e-Portfolio of personal and professional development (if studying this module as part of the V300 qualification only).
Assessment Module 2:
- 2-part online invigilated exam – 90 minutes pharmacology (80% pass mark) and 30 minutes prescribing calculations (100% pass mark)
- Practice Assessment Document (PAD) (90 hours of supervised practice) This is to record practice-based assessment and achievement of the practice competencies for independent and supplementary prescribing.
- Portfolio containing 2 x 2000-word case-based assignments or reflections.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Teaching methods include:
• Online Lectures
• e-learning workbooks
• Group discussions
• Tutorials / Academic Assessor Meetings
• Interactive sessions, including quizzes.
• Problem Based Learning case studies and scenarios.
• Practical prescribing sessions
• Healthcare numeracy and prescriber calculation practice
• Action learning sets/ small group tutorials
90 hours of Supervised Prescriber Practice (Protected Learning Time)
You are required to meet a minimum 90 hours of supervised prescriber practice to meet the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Competency Framework for Prescribers.
In partnership with your employer, you must identify a suitable Practice Assessor (PA).
A Practice Assessor is a Registered Healthcare Professional with a prescribing qualification and a minimum of three years’ recent prescribing experience in this role, e.g., a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other professionally registered, V300 trained independent prescriber.
In conjunction with your Practice Assessor, you must identify suitable Practice Supervisor(s) (PS) to support your practice learning.
Practice Supervisors should also be registered V300 Independent/Supplementary Prescribers (or equivalent) with at least one year of experience in this role.
In exceptional circumstances (for example, where there is limited access to non-medical prescribers) nurses can request from the Programme Lead that the same person acts as both Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor (https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-post-registration/standards-for-prescribers).
Further details of supervision and assessment requirements can be found in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Designated Prescribing Practitioner Framework: RPS English Competency Framework 3.pdf (rpharms.com)
Your Practice Assessor, along with your Academic Assessor, who will be a member of the university programme team, is responsible for signing you off as a competent and safe prescriber by the end of the programme.
Self-directed study
It is recommended that you complete a further 12 days of self-directed study across the year in addition to the 24 advertised University study days, or 6 days if studying the 40-credit module only.
Self-directed is required for research for assessments, writing assignments and preparing for exams.
Timetable and schedule
The programme comprises a 20-credit and a 40-credit module, taught and assessed across one year (September to July), with supervised learning in practice running alongside theory sessions in module 2.
Each module starts in either September or February.
There are 12 taught study sessions within each module, 1 session per week with additional online learning/ self-directed study and Supervised Prescriber Practice in the workplace required in module 2.
The first 12 theory sessions run between the end of September – December and the final 12 theory sessions will run from February to June.
Assessments will be in January and July and any required resits in August.
All sessions are mandatory attendance.
Kick-Start Scheme
As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.
Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.
Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.
70%
Work placements
The programme is designed to have a 50:50 split between theory and practice.
You will be taught general principles on study days through a variety of teaching methods then relate your learning to your own practice area with the support of your practice supervisor and practice assessor.
You must complete 90 hours of supervised prescriber practice observing a variety of prescribing decisions. You will be allocated time for these practice days (protected learning time), but you are responsible for organising suitable experiences to enhance your knowledge.
You will be required to reflect systematically on your learning to evaluate and apply knowledge and skills to achieve the assessments of the course.
The Practice Assessment Document includes the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS, 2021) Competency Framework for all Prescribers, personal development planning and reflective practice.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Cygnet Healthcare
- Practice Plus Group (Health in Justice)
Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System, and the Trusts and Organisations within this:
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham and Solihull NHS Training Hub (GP Practice)
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (City, Sandwell, Rowley Regis)
- Change Grow Live
- Birmingham Council
- Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
- WMCA
University College Birmingham’s Prescribing Team are excited to be able to offer our Independent and Supplementary Prescribing programme to Registered Nurses.
The programme will ensure you develop personally and professionally and gain new knowledge, skills and behaviours that you can use within your scope of prescribing practice in your advanced and specialist practice roles. We look forward to meeting you.
Career opportunities
Note: Some roles below may require further study/training. The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Community specialist practitioner
Average Salary: £36,370
Advanced clinical practitioner
Average Salary: £50,173
Advanced nurse practitioner
£35,000-£50,000
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the FdSc degree will enable you to top up to our bachelor's degrees and postgraduate courses.
Anthony's Story
Anthony worked in the NHS for 27 years before joining the team at UCB as a lecturer.
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