Build on your skills and knowledge as a nurse with some experience of cancer care to lead the development and delivery of advanced cancer nursing practice.
KEY BENEFITS
- Central location allows access to world leading clinical and academic resources.
- Access to extracurricular seminars and lectures given by leaders in healthcare from around the world.
- A multi-faculty environment drawing on clinical and academic expertise in cancer care from a number of world leading schools and hospitals providing an unparalleled inter-professional learning experience.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Nurse consultant in cancer care; nurse director of a cancer network; lead nurse for cancer services.
Programme leader/s
Dr Jo Armes
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
Typically students take one year to complete a certificate, two years for a diploma and three years for an MSc. Maximum of six years PT.
Location
Waterloo and Guy's Campuses.
Year of entry 2012
Offered by
Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery
Closing date
End of July. Late applications may be considered, subject to availability.
Intake
10-15.
Fees
PT Home: £2300 (2012)
PT Overseas: £7400 (2012)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Administrator, tel 020 7848 3571.
Email
Website
PURPOSE
This pathway is designed to build upon the skills and knowledge of experienced nurses with some experience of cancer care and will enable you to lead the development and delivery of innovative cancer nursing practice.
DESCRIPTION
This pathway is designed to equip practitioners to take forward innovations in care and service delivery, acknowledging the central position of nursing in cancer care and its potential to influence. The pathway would be especially useful for practitioners who intend to become, or are already working as a clinical nurse specialist, who are keen to develop services for people with cancer, and those engaged in advanced cancer nursing practice, or the preparation of others for such roles.
Please see our frequently asked questions
hereSTRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Principal Methods for Healthcare Research
- Evidence Based Decision Making in Healthcare
- Developing Cancer Nursing Practice
- Dissertation
For students wishing to undertake either an empirical study or a service development project as part of the dissertation module, additional modules must be taken and passed. These include:
- Issues in the Conduct of Healthcare Research ( empirical study only)
- Professional Development and Organisational Change ( service development project only)
Alternatively students may choose for their dissertation to undertake an indepth analysis of an area of policy or practice or to prepare three papers for publication.
Indicative non-core content
Students select optional courses from a wide range of available options including:
- Advanced assessment skills
- Clinical specialities
Other options from our BSc programme may also be available. Students who have already studied modules at undergraduate or graduate level at King's may be able to incorporate this study into the programme, subject to certain limits, provided that the credits have not already contributed to an award. Modules studied elsewhere may be incorporated through accreditation of prior certificated learning (subject to a successful
accreditation claim).
For full details of the programme structure please click
hereFull details of the range of options available can be found by clicking
here
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
The majority of assessment is by coursework; some modules are also assessed by one examination.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7KNIM706
Credit level: 7
This course aims to facilitate the personal and professional development of cancer nurses engaged in advancing cancer nursing practice and cancer care service delivery. The aim is to equip practitioners to work effectively within their organisational structure and to critically analyse the scope of their current role. Drawing upon their practice, participants will critically consider the contribution that nurses make to the organisation and delivery of evidence-based cancer care, generation of nursing knowledge and the social and political context of cancer care practice. Practitioners will be exposed to the policy and practice context of inter professional working, in order to explore issues that facilitate and constrain inter-professional work and develop skills to promote effective inter-professional working. The course centres on the evaluation of cancer nursing practice, key professional social and political influences and working strategically within organisations. This focus underpinned by support for the personal development and learning of individual practitioners on the course. To facilitate this practitioners will have access to a Coach (a senior Health or Care Practitioner). The Coach will facilitate the practitioners learning within their practice or service context and will enable them to identify their individual learning needs to achieve the course outcomes.
Module code: 7KNIM725
Credit level: 7
Project work continues for 12 months, with 30 hours assigned for contact with academic staff. Additional time is needed for data collection during the course of the student's work. The relevant interests and expertise of both students and supervisors determine the nature of projects. Careful design and measurement is emphasised. In addition to individual supervision, regular seminars and tutorials are offered to encourage and support students and these sessions are used by the students to present ideas for their projects and to facilitate discussion. A report of no more than 20,000 words must be submitted. It should include critical evaluation of the existing literature in the area and an appropriate presentation of the student's work. Dissertations are assessed and students may be required to attend a viva voce examination. There are four options available.
Module code: 7KNIM110
Credit level: 7
Credit value: 30
Semester:
Full-year
Assessment:
coursework
This course aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to identify best evidence for your practice. It focuses on searching for, appraising and synthesising evidence from health care research. You are introduced to a range of electronic databases for accessing evidence and the principles of systematic review. Learning is facilitated through lectures, workshops and a student-directed search for evidence to address a question emerging from your own practice. Issues surrounding research implementation and evidence at the level of the individual practitioner and the health care organisation are addressed. Assessment is by means of a review of literature which answers a focussed question utilising explicit methods.
Module code: 7KNIM700
Credit level: 7
This introductory course aims to provide students a broad knowledge of research approaches and techniques used in healthcare research. It intends to promote students understanding of, and enhance skills for critiquing research articles. Further it aims to promote the development of skills required to undertake a research-based project in the future. The course is essential for students who have not previously studied research methods or who would benefit from revision of this knowledge. It will consider philosophical bases for research, traditions and features of qualitative and quantitative research designs, data collection tools used in qualitative and qauntitative research and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. This course is a precursor for the second research methods course, Issues in the Conduct of Healthcare Research.
Module code: 7KNIM701
Credit level: 7
This course aims to raise awareness of issues that arise inthe conduct of research, from writing research proposals to the publication of findings. It will be useful for students embarking on a research or service development project, for new researchers wishing to develop their skills, and for healthcare professionals seeking to evaluate healthcare services. Issues covered in the course include gaining funding, managing research schedules, involving users in the research process, working with external agencies, addressing ethical and political issues in research, and managing aspects of the data collection process - for example overcoming poor response rates and managing group dynamics in focus group research. Learning is facilitated through lectures, recommended reading and seminars. The seminars provide a series of How to... sessions that facilitate application of concepts learnt during the Principal Methods for Healthcare Research course. For example: How to develop an interview schedule, or How to run a focus group. These seminars enable students to gain a practical understanding of the research process.
Module code: 7KNIM707
Credit level: 7
This course will enable students to critically appraise and utilise organisational and management theories in order to facilitate the development of individuals and groups. Examples of this include continuing professional development, motivation, the management of change and manpower planning.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
For specialist pathways you must normally be working in a practice role, which involves regular patient/client contact. The College cannot arrange clinical placements. The normal entry requirement for graduate study is a first degree (minimum second class honours or equivalent). Applicants with other backgrounds or qualifications, including those without a first degree, can be considered. If you do not meet the normal entry requirements or you have only the minimum academic standard you should pay particular attention in preparing your supporting statement and CV to ensure that you draw attention to evidence of potential success at graduate level. This might include publication, preparation of substantial reports or active participation in funded research.
Applicants wishing to enrol on this pathway should be working in an appropriate clinical care setting for the duration of the programme.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Apply using the College application form available online. In addition, please submit a CV detailing relevant professional and academic experience.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Indicate the pathway/options you are interested in studying. Give details of any King's College modules that you have already studied that you wish to incorporate into the programme (including module name and course code, date completed, grade and credits gained). Identify any modules that you wish to be considered through the Accredited Prior Learning process.
FUNDING
Staff from contracted Trusts are eligible to have their study funded, subject to agreement by their manager. Students not sponsored by their employer may wish to pursue other sources of funding. Some scholarships may be available. Prospective students may also wish to consult the Directory of Grant-making Trusts and Charities (available in local libraries). Self-funding students may wish to consider a Career Development Loan
http://www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl/
Student profiles
Advanced Practice (Cancer Nursing) MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert
I chose to undertake this particular MSc as I wanted a master's programme that was aimed at experienced cancer nurses involved in developing practice at both an operational and strategic level, and not a pathway that was devoted solely to learning about cancer and its management.
We are challenged every day in delivering high quality cancer services and the modules I have completed to date have given me a broader understanding of the social and political context of care delivery. The opportunity to discuss current policy with the policymakers has been invaluable. The research and evidence-based decision making modules develop the skills to challenge practice in clinical settings and to inform decision making in innovative practice and working.
The course has helped me identify a new direction in my career by highlighting how nurses can influence at strategic and operational levels, and directly affect patient care and service development. I have progressed from a clinical nurse specialist post to become lead nurse for cancer services during my studies.
Staff profiles
Advanced Practice (Cancer Nursing) MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert
I am delighted to be able to oversee a raft of exciting master’s programmes within the School of Nursing & Midwifery. I myself came to King’s in the early 1990s as a master’s student. After 20 years in clinical practice, spent mainly in primary care, I was attracted to the MSc programme at King’s because of the College’s reputation for research.
Today the number of programmes has increased to meet the complexity and diversity of healthcare provision, and research has been fully accepted as an essential element of healthcare practice. I am pleased to say that research and the appraisal of evidence remain core to all of our programmes whether concerned with advanced clinical practice and leadership roles or in the field of education for healthcare professionals.