This module enables the student to enhance their knowledge and skills necessary for nurse/midwife prescribing. It will provide opportunities to apply biosciences and knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics in the prescribing process. It will provide students with an understanding of risk medication error reporting processes and the needs of specialist populations.This module integrates the foundational knowledge, skills and challenges essential for performance of the nurse/midwife prescribing role.

Pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics; Pharmacovigilance; Process for identification and treatment of adverse reactions and interactions; Medication error/near miss reporting - organisational policy; Prescribing for special populations - the elderly, the young, pregnant or breast-feeding women, the intellectually disabled and those with mental illness; Pharmacoeconomics (cost vs. benefit ratio); Influences on and psychology of prescribing and Applied biosciences to prescribing practice Principles of the prescribing process; Steps of prescribing process; Assessment of patient/client - history and physical examination; Requesting and interpretation of laboratory and diagnostic tests; Consultation skills including Awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity of patient/client/family, Awareness of patient/client expectation for prescription medicinal products, Knowledge and skills for decision-making and treatment planning, Diagnostic reasoning - data synthesis, Risk vs. benefit ratio in treatment decisions and Use of non-pharmacological interventions in care plan; Patient/client education and preventative healthcare advice regarding medicinal products and disease management issues; Prescription writing and documentation of plan of care including patient/client response; National and local health care providers guidelines, policies and protocols for prescribing.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics. Discuss the importance of pharmacovigilance. Critically explore pharmaco-economics (cost vs. benefit ratio) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of prescribing for special populations. Apply evidenced based findings to prescribing practice. Demonstrate understanding of prescribing safely, appropriately and cost effectively. Actively participate in prescribing decision making within the multi professional team.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Value the importance of communication within the multidisciplinary team. Understand the influences on prescribing practice. Demonstrate an appreciation of the decision making process supporting prescription of medications and referral to other healthcare professionals as appropriate. Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of the nurse/midwife in safe prescribing practice.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: N/A

The module is delivered through a blended delivery format, utilising a virtual learning environment. Teaching and learning strategies include e.g. lectures, discussions, simulation, small group teaching, recommended reading, reflection, self-directed learning, group work, seminars, peer presentations, case studies and log books, posters, case scenarios, workshops, audio-visual resources and VLE resources e.g. wikis, quizzes, discussion boards and chat forums. Adult learning theories with a focus on active engagement, social constructivism and self-directed learning underpin the module, enabling students to become knowledgeable, responsible, articulate, proactive, creative and collaborative graduates.