Non-Medical Prescribing

Overview

Registered nurses practising in the 21st Century will play an essential role in providing, leading and coordinating care that is compassionate, evidence-based, and person- centred (NMC 2018). This will require registered nurses to proactively work across a range of complex healthcare settings, with interdisciplinary teams, working autonomously and being accountable for their own decisions and actions. To meet the demands of contemporary healthcare, nurse and midwife prescribers will therefore need to further develop their skills of emotional intelligence and resilience, reflecting on the decisions they make with the aim of improving care for people who use healthcare services. This programme is aimed at students who wish to develop a career as a nurse prescriber to lead and deliver quality care.



It is designed to be taken over one academic year in part-time mode. The programme leads to both the academic award of Postgraduate Certificate and a recorded professional award as a Nurse Independent/ Supplementary Prescriber (V300).



The programme consists of three modules. Two 20 credit point modules will be taught over semester one and continuing into semester two. The third module is a 20-credit bearing practice-based module developed to support students in practice through the application of prescribing competencies evidenced by the Non-medical Prescribing Practice Assessment Document (NMP PAD).



In semester one, students will undertake two taught modules, Person-centred approaches to prescribing NUS766 and Prescribing across the lifespan NUS767, they are long thin modules running across semester one and two. Person-centred approaches to prescribing provides the underpinning key knowledge required in relation to the pharmacological management of conditions, to include mode of action, dosage, side effects, contraindications and interactions alongside physiological actions and responses. Prescribing across the lifespan (NUS 767) builds on the students' knowledge and experience as it develops within this course, examining the professional, ethical and legal considerations of complex prescribing decisions. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 90 hours of practice learning to develop their prescribing skills. Students will complete the NMP PAD (NUR635) to evidence how they have achieved the competencies within Royal Pharmaceutical Competency Framework for all Prescribers (2021).



These competencies are achieved in practice, across the academic year.



Internal coherence is achieved by developing the programme modules and content in a logical and sequential manner.



Work placement / study abroad

Students undertaking this programme are required to complete 90 hours in clinical practice (90 practice learning hours) and evidence how they have achieved the competencies within the Mon-Medical Prescribing, Practice Assessment Document (NMP PAD). Students will develop their prescribing skills under the supervision of their nominated practice supervisor and practice assessor, and in liaison with the universities academic assessor they will undertake the student’s assessment in practice (NI Model for Student Supervision and Assessment, 2023, Regional Guide for those Responsible for Student Supervision and Assessment in Practice (NIPEC 2023).



Applicants for this programme should have already identified a suitable practice learning environment in which to undertake their practice learning hours that can provide the appropriate levels of supervision as outlined in the aforementioned regional model and guide. The School of Nursing and Paramedic Science nursing placements office ensures that each practice learning environment meets the required standards for student supervision and assessment using a regionally developed Practice Learning Environment Educational Audit (PLEEA). This audit is undertaken by the link lecturer, the nominated person and PEF (where applicable). This audit is normally undertaken every two years or sooner should there be a change in the practice learning environment, or if any concerns arise with regards to the setting.

Year one

Practice Learning for Independent Non-Medical Prescribing

Person-Centred Approaches to Prescribing

Prescribing Across the Lifespan

Applicants must satisfy the University's general entry requirements and specific requirements for admission and as set out in the prospectus.



In addition, the following admission criteria has been defined by The NMC Part 3: Standards Prescribing Programmes (2024), for University and practice learning partners. Applicants should:



a) Hold current registration with the NMC either as a registered nurse (level 1), a registered midwife or Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) with a minimum of one year's experience in the area in which they intend to prescribe



b) Be employed or self-employed (including NHS and non-NHS settings) as a registered nurse/midwife



c) Provide confirmation of an Access NI check within the last three years



d) Provide confirmation that the necessary governance structures are in place, in the student's employment (including clinical support, access to protected learning time and employer support where appropriate) to enable students to undertake, and be adequately supported throughout, the programme



e) Provide confirmation of the availability of an appropriately qualified Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor



f) Provide a self-declaration of good character and the employer confirmation that the applicant practices in line with the requirements of the NMC (2018) The Code



g) Provide confirmation from their workplace manager that the applicant is capable of safe and effective practice at a level of proficiency appropriate to the programme to be undertaken and their intended area of prescribing in the following areas:



• Clinical/health assessment

• Diagnostics/care management

• Planning and evaluation of care,



h) Confirm on entry that any applicant selected to undertake a prescribing programme has the competence, experience and academic ability to study at the level required for that programme.



English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 and a score of at least 7 on each of the four aspects of this test. Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.



For internationally educated nurses initial registration with the NMC requires the applicant to have evidence of achievement of IELTS at level 7 prior to joining the register. Live registration with the NMC is checked on application to the programme by admissions.



• For English language requirements go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/english-language-requirements



• For Your country go to: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/global/apply/country



Exemptions and transferability

The university guiding principles for implementing its policy on the Accreditation of Prior Learning enables students to apply for recognition of prior learning against modules of the programme to be undertaken. As per policy, exemption can be granted for whole modules only.

Your Application

You can apply directly to Ulster at any time of year. We advise that you submit your application no later than two weeks prior to your course start date. This is to ensure there is sufficient time for your application to be reviewed and, should you be made an offer, time for you to complete all the necessary pre-enrolment tasks.



Some programmes will have specific deadlines as additional selection (e.g. interview, portfolio submission etc) is required, so please check the course page to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your application.

Attendance

This is a part time course normally delivered at Belfast campus, completed over one academic year (i.e. September until the end of May).

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers and Opportunities

Independent prescribing students from Ulster are all predominantly already in employment: within the NHS and Social Services, independent GP practices, and other employment such as the voluntary sector (hospice) prisons and private healthcare. The approach to employability in this programme is explicit insofar as the entitlement to use the qualification is directly linked to career progression. The qualification enables students to develop their practice in a stimulating and fulfilling manner, working in an expanded way to provide a more holistic care experience to benefit both the service and the person. It allows the nurse/midwife to advance within an existing role or be eligible to apply for new roles that would not otherwise be possible. In recent years students have used the NMP qualification as a platform to progress their academic studies to BSc or MSc award. Entitlement to practice as a nurse prescriber with the V300 qualification makes the student an attractive prospect for any health service provider and employer.