PgDip Neonatal Critical Care (QIS) at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

This course is for neonatal practitioners who want to develop their knowledge and skills in caring for the neonate and their family. It has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and proactive approach necessary to excel as a neonatal practitioner, ready to meet the complex challenges of modern neonatal care. You will explore both the underpinning physiology and care provision required for practice.

What you will study

We have developed this Neonatal Critical Care post-registration course in collaboration with service providers to enable registered staff working in neonatal units to become equipped with the specific knowledge and skills required to practise safely and effectively in this critical care area (BAPM, 2012). You will develop the confidence to work as a competent practitioner within the speciality, committed to ensuring the best outcome for neonates and their families. The course will develop your skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving. Modules include Neonatal Critical Care in Practice, Holistic Approaches to Neonatal Critical Care, Fundamentals of Neonatal Care, Research: Methods of Enquiry, Innovation, creativity and improvement in healthcare - Option 1, The Individualised Care of Multiple Birth Families from Conception to 1 Year – Option 2, MSc Dissertation.

Career pathways

This course will enable you to enhance your knowledge and understanding of research, quality improvement and leadership, which will enhance your practice and professional development. Previous students have gone on to roles such as clinical educator, promotion to band 6, family integrated care lead and infant feeding lead.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us. All students must be NMC registered nurses or midwives. They must be employed in a neonatal setting for the duration of the programme. The relevance of experience and prior qualifications will be determined by the relevant admissions tutor. Students undertaking modules as standalone rather than as part of an award may do so regardless of number of previous credits gained and must be working in a neonatal setting to achieve that module’s learning outcomes. Any Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of external credits and / or optional modules must be discussed with the course team to be deemed as appropriate and in accordance with BCU RPL policy and procedures. BSc. Students must have a relevant United Kingdom Diploma in Higher Education or equivalent award, or 240 credits of which at least 120 credits are at level 5. GradCert. Students must have a BSc or BSc Hons degree. PgCert. Students undertaking the award must have a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a 60 credit Level 6 award in an appropriate subject area.

Intake: TBC

Duration: 2 years part-time

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