Module Summary

This module provides an in-depth exploration of critical care nursing in alignment with the Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads (CC3N) Step 2 and 3 competencies, which are the UK’s standard frameworks for critical care nursing practice. Building on foundational skills, the course is designed to equip nurses with advanced clinical knowledge and decision-making capabilities essential for complex patient management in intensive care settings.

By the end of this module, nurses will be proficient in delivering care for critically ill patients with complex needs, aligning with the high-level competencies required at Steps 2 and 3. This module will enable them to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care in high pressure critical care environments.

Aims

• Provide in-depth knowledge and enhance clinical competence to manage critically ill adult patients and respond to complex, evolving conditions.

• Enable participants to develop critical thinking and decision-making skills to analyse complex clinical situations, prioritise care, and make timely decisions

• Promote evidence-based practice to apply current research, clinical guidelines, and best practice when caring for critically ill adults.

• Improve multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure seamless coordination with diverse healthcare professionals.

• Foster ethical and professional accountability in navigating dilemmas and maintaining high care standards.

• Prepare nurses for leadership by strengthening coordination, decision-making, and advocacy in high-pressure environments

What and how students will learn on the module

This course is designed to deepen students' understanding and skill set in critical care nursing, with a focus on mastering the Critical Care Nurses National Network (CCNNN) STEP 2 and STEP 3 competencies. Over the duration of this course, students will build on foundational critical care knowledge, advancing their clinical expertise and decision-making skills required in high-acuity environments. Through a combination of theoretical learning and hands-on practice simulations, online workbooks, virtual scenarios, formative and summative assessment and resources that will support academic learning, students will Page 2 of 5 develop competencies to provide safe, patient-centred, and evidence-based care for critically ill patients.

• Promotion of a positive holistic patient experience and awareness of the holistic nature of nursing care including patient choice

• Relevant anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.

• Recognition of health abnormalities

• Investigations and interpretation of results

• Assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for a critically ill adult.

• Relevant specialist situation, such as acute oncology and care of the pregnant or recently pregnant lady.

• Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, medicines management and the challenges of these within Critical Care

• Psychosocial care of the patient and their family, including during admission to Critical Care and discharge to the ward.

• Pain, delirium, sedation and sleep

• Treatment modalities and interventions used in Critical Care

• Emergency situations

• Inter & intra hospital transfer

• Ability to plan and contribute to recovery pathways alongside the wider multidisciplinary team.

• End of life care

• Organ donation and care of the donor

• Infection prevention and control

• The vulnerability of critically ill patients (including consent, mental capacity, and deprivation of liberty).

• Legal requirements of role, acts of parliament that influence care delivery and ethical dilemmas that could arise in practice

• Communication, leadership, management and team skills

• Human factors, including knowledge of fixation, red flags and situation awareness.

• Health and wellbeing for the learner and their colleagues.

The course emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical application, helping nurses develop the critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills necessary to manage deteriorating patients effectively. Ethical considerations, legal frameworks, and patient safety protocols are also integral components, ensuring high standards of care and accountability.

Through interactive simulations, case studies, and practical assessments, nurses will refine their competencies in critical care interventions, teamwork, and multidisciplinary collaboration.