Introduction to Minor Injury and Urgent Care module

Overview

This module is designed for nurses working in emergency departments and walk in centres who are developing their role towards emergency nurse practitioner, who will see, treat, refer and discharge patients with minor injuries and fractures.

On completion of this module, the successful student will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in holistic patient assessment, management, and referral of minor injuries, incorporating inter-professional working
• Synthesise findings from a physical examination/ assessment, relating this to underlying patho-physiological processes, in order to develop a differential diagnosis
• Critically analyse clinical decision making skills utilising evidence based knowledge and reflective frameworks
• Critically appraise current nurse practitioner practice and research to enable the development of minor injury protocols/guidelines. and health education initiatives as well as risk management issues.

This module acts as an introduction to the management of patients with minor injuries.

The aim of this module is to enable the experienced emergency/ first contact care practitioner to  develop proficiency in the skills of assessment, treatment and management of minor injuries and apply this to their clinical context. It provides the autonomous practitioner with the advanced knowledge base, communication skills, and safe clinical examination skills, to equip them to make confident autonomous, effective and evidence based patient care decisions.

Course content

During this module, you'll learn:

1. Physical assessment techniques and approaches
2. Examination skills
3. History taking and documentation
4. Consultation styles, and interpersonal skills
5. Overview of anatomy and physiology, mechanism of injury, common injuries seen, examination technique, management, referral and discharge advice for the following minor injuries:
   • Sport injuries of the upper and lower limb
   • Upper limb fractures and soft tissue injuries
   • Lower limb fractures and soft tissue injuries
   • Minor head injury management
   • Minor back and hip injury management
6. Neurological system review and assessment skills
7. Paediatric minor injury management.
8. Management of minor eye injuries
9. Clinical decision making for differential diagnosis
10. Evidence-based practice Reflective practice
11. Health promotion and injury prevention for minor injuries.

Teaching

Teaching will have a problem orientated focus through guided study, and case scenario development to develop and reinforce a life long learning perspective for clinical skills. Peer assisted inter-professional teaching and learning, integrated with medical students and the medical school will enable team work and development of peer support.

Students will be given the opportunity to practice clinical assessment under supervision with teacher and peer feedback. This will be complemented by the use of simulation aids and on line video material. Students will then be given the opportunity to develop their skills in the practice setting.

Study days provide opportunity for development, application and reflection of clinical and diagnostic skills. Most study days will be in a workshop design to encourage student led learning and critical enquiry

Assessment

OSCE (observed structured clinical assessment) is utilised to consolidate knowledge and

Entry requirements

Current employment and support to practice in an appropriate health care setting. The student should be able to give details of an allocated clinically experienced (in that field) supervisor who will support their clinical practice.

To apply for this course, please go to our CPD health practitioner page and complete an application form.

Fees and funding

The fees* below refer to the 2019/20 academic year unless otherwise stated.

Per credit: £60
30 credits: £1,800

*Course fees are subject to annual inflation.

There are several funding options available:

• receiving course fees via CPPD contracts between NHS trusts and Middlesex University
• paying your own fees
• sponsorship by your employer (but not under a CPPD contract).

For more information for any of these options, including fee rates for self-funding/employer-sponsored students, please visit our dedicated funding page.

How to apply

Download an application form by following the link from our CPD health webpage.