Programme structure

The BN (Hons) programme is a four-year professional degree. Learning is equally divided between University and practice learning environments. 

Year 1

In year 1, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of the professional and wider social context of nursing and health. In addition, you will study a range of sciences, including social sciences, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry. You will also develop fundamental care skills and undertake clinical placements in hospital and community settings.

Year 2

In year 2, you will study adult nursing and deepen your knowledge and understanding of biomedical sciences and ethics. Biomedical science subjects include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and pharmacology. Your core nursing courses will include the study of nursing theory, social policy, and research methods. The focus of your study in second year is to provide a biological basis for linking health with ill health and disease processes. You will undertake more clinical placements and further develop your communication skills, relationship skillsand knowledge of nursing procedures.

Year 3 

In year 3, you will advance your study of adult nursing, research for evidence-informed practice, pharmacotherapy and human disease and pathology. The focus of third year is on developing a holistic and integrated approach to the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of evidence-informed nursing care and therapeutic interventions for people with a range of health conditions. You will advance your study of clinical skills providing an opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills for holistic person-centred assessment. Looking forward to your career as a registered nurse, you will learn the skills required to supervise nursing students and to consolidate your learning in relation to communication and relationship skills, preparing you for an array of opportunities on your clinical placements.

Year 4

In year 4, the Senior Honours year, you will advance your study of health and social care policy, leadership, professionalism in nursing and global health challenges. The focus of year 4 is to advance your understanding of the wider societal, environmental, economic, and political factors that impact on the health of people and populations and the ways in which you can influence healthcare. You will have the opportunity to investigate an area of interest related to nursing and healthcare through a written dissertation. The final clinical placement is also incorporated into this year.

Practice placements

During this programme, you will be required to attend placements anywhere within the Greater Glasgow area.

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University of Glasgow Scottish Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

All Scottish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have worked collaboratively to produce a single Practice Assessment Document (PAD) for Scotland, which must be completed by all nursing students undertaking a pre-registration nursing programme.

The purpose of the PAD is to provide a record of the student’s practice learning progress and achievement of learning outcomes throughout each practice learning experience (PLE). This allows current and future Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors to see an overview of student progress from the first PLE through to the last.

• Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

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Programme flow

The programme flow is very carefully planned to ensure that students meet the regulatory requirements. Students must adhere to this programme flow and holidays must only be arranged for the scheduled vacation weeks.

• BN Clinical Planner 2021

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Practice Learning Experience handbook

The Practice Learning Handbook provides provide guidance and information for students and practice learning staff involved in supporting University of Glasgow Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (BN Hons) students. It contains an outline of the BN Hons programme, details of role expectations of students and staff who support students on practice learning experience (PLE), university guidelines for the assessment of students and staff contact details. This handbook should be used in conjunction with the student’s Scottish Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

• BN Practice Learning Handbook

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Grading of practice

Students will be supervised and assessed in practice in accordance with the NMC (2018) Standards for student supervision and assessment (SSSA). During each placement, students will work closely with a Practice Supervisor who will provide guidance and direction. The Practice Supervisor will work closely with a nominated Practice Assessor. Together, the Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor will discuss the student’s performance in relation to each of the platform proficiencies. The outcome of this assessment will be documented in the student’s Scottish Practice Assesment Document (PAD) before being reviewed and confirmed by the student’s Academic Assessor.

Within the BN (Hons) programme, practice learning is credited and graded in the same way as any academic work the student undertakes. The assessment of practice learning is both formative and summative, with the formal stages of assessment being the interim(s) and then final discussion and assessment. The student should first be assessed for achievement of the proficiencies and communication and relationship skills/nursing procedures, for the relevant part of the programme. The student’s overall performance should then be rated using the grading scale in the PAD (based on Schedule B of the University of Glasgow’s Code of Assessment).

• BN Schedule B

The student’s performance is given a grade from A to F. A grade ‘D’ (satisfactory) meets the minimum threshold requirement to pass a practice learning placement. However, when grading a student, it is essential to consider the Part of study, the level descriptor and the learning outcomes listed in the PAD (Part 1 p. 38 Part 2 p. 58 and Part 3 p. 99). In other words, students are assessed in context of their stage of education and what can be reasonably expected of them at that stage. Therefore, it is possible for a Part 1 student to achieve an A grade if these components are considered together.

Any student who attracts a fail grade (E, F) will be required to repeat the PLE, in keeping with the University of Glasgow’s Code of Assessment. Any questions or queries about grading practice should be directed to the student’s academic assessor (or Part Lead in their absence).

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Raising a concern

Concerns about a student’s clinical performance, conduct or professionalism should be raised as soon as possible to allow discussion and learning development planning. This will normally take place in the PLE and may involve the student, the Practice Supervisor and/or Assessor, the Academic Assessor and Practice Education Facilitator/Care Home Education Facilitator (where applicable). An interim review sheet will be completed by the practice supervisor/assessor identifying the areas of concern clearly so that a learning development plan can be created which sets out how these areas of concern may be addressed. The Academic Assessor may also make an entry in the “additional notes” section of the student’s PAD. This allows ongoing assessment of the student’s learning development which can be recorded in the development support plan in the PAD. For more information, please refer to the Practice Learning Support Protocol in Section 3 of the student’s Scottish PAD.

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Key contacts

Admissions Officer: Jane Joy

• Jane.Joy@glasgow.ac.uk
• 0141 330 3254

Programme Lead: Louise McCallum

• Louise.McCallum@glasgow.ac.uk
• 0141 330 2071

If your query relates to Part 1 (Year) 1 of the programme, please contact the Part 1 Lead: Dr Rosemary Mullen

• Rosemary.Mullen.2@glasgow.ac.uk
• 0141 330 7153

If your query relates to a Part 2 (Year) 2 student, please contact the Part 2 Lead: Mandy Allen

• Mandy.Allen@glasgow.ac.uk 

If your query relates to a Part 3 (Year) 3 student, please contact the Part 3 Lead: Liz Simpson

• Liz.Simpson@glasgow.ac.uk
• 0141 330 2972

If your query relates to a Part 3/Year 4 student, please contact the Part 3 (Year 4) Lead: Dr Anne Rowat

• Anne.Rowat@glasgow.ac.uk
• 0141 330 3605

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Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.