Enhancing the experience of the first year student nurses studying bioscience

Abstract

The aim of the project is to design a curriculum thread that delivers appropriate bioscience to pre-registration nurses throughout their three year programme and to explore new and innovative methods of delivery that can be used to stimulate interest and learning, equipping student nurses with the skills to continue learning beyond their three years of study and with the skill to deliver high quality patient care. The proposal is to change the first year bioscience module so that it is closely linked with the delivery of the first year skills module – so if the students are learning about blood pressure and pulse – that same week they would have a session on the cardiovascular system. If they are having a skills session on fluid balance, they would have a bioscience session on renal physiology and so on. The bioscience module would have to be delivered as small group sessions in line with the skills module. The current large lecture format is not the favoured method of delivery of the current students. Student feedback also suggests that students enjoy the positive reinforcement of learning that occurs from the lab session within the current curriculum. However, as lab availability is limited, investigation is ongoing to find resources that will allow the creation of a lab type experience within a classroom setting. The impact the proposed changes will have on the student experience will be evaluated through student feedback ensuring the curriculum and delivery of bioscience continues to develop into the second and third year of the programme of study.