AC6698 - Physical Assessment and Care of the Newborn

What will I learn on this module?

On this module, you will learn to be a Newborn and Infant and Physical Examination (NIPE) practitioner. You will develop your current understanding of newborn assessment. Newborn examination skills will be enhanced to incorporate competency in performing the 4 specific screening elements of the NHS Newborn and Infant and Physical Examination (NIPE) programme, these are the examination of the newborn heart, testes, eyes and the hips. You will learn about the NHS Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Screening (NIPE) Programme and the rationale for the newborn examination standards and the implementation of the programme in the UK. You will determine how this will direct your practice and understanding of referral and decision making. Guided online learning and student-led learning will enable you to review and increase your knowledge of newborn physiology, the normal parameters of health and potential deviations from normal as well as understanding the aetiology and recognition of congenital abnormalities. You will evaluate the practitioner accountability and responsibility when assuming an extended and enhanced role, and be able to directly link this to the NMC code. This will include a review of the literature pertinent to this enhanced role, and a personal reflection on your own development.
The module will assist you to embrace specific aspects of newborn wellbeing. You will review contemporary evidence and research to evaluate care, for example neonatal jaundice. The newborn examination is an opportunity to have dialogue with parents and to reinforce health promotion messages, you will review the evidence base and communication approaches when addressing for example, safe sleeping, recognising the ill baby and responsive parenting.

How will I learn on this module?

You will engage with a series of themed learning resources via the e-learning platform and have the opportunity to be part of a learning community. You are encouraged to an active part by engaging in discussion, problem solving and other activities; these will inform and be informed by your personal practice experience. The supervised clinical experience will develop your newborn examination skills that include history taking and clinical decision making. You will review contemporary evidence and research which will inform your critique of your own and others practice in newborn examination and care. Skills will be taught via the online platform, rehearsed and developed in the work-based learning environment under the supervision of an experienced Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) practitioner. This also enables examination by examination feedback and support leading to you becoming increasingly skilled and confident in performing the physical examination, planning ongoing care and appropriate referral. The module sequences your learning so that developing knowledge is easily integrated into its practice context. Materials from Public Health England will be used to illustrate best practice in screening and in NIPE examination in particular. . Reflective practice will be an important component during the module and you will be encouraged to review your personal journey of extending and enhancing your role and in determining a personal strategy for practice as a NIPE practitioner.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The sequencing of your learning enables the utilisation of peer, practice learning and module team feedback to support your ongoing development. Practice based support by an identified workplace supervisor will be invaluable in guiding your personal progress. There will be a group tutorial to specifically, address the assessment requirements.
Academic support is available from the module team and in addition, tutors will respond to questions via the module discussion board at the e.learning portal (elp) so that the whole student group may benefit. The module team and your peers (students and practising NIPE practitioners) will be available for support during the module; formative feedback will be provided during the practice and theory contact opportunities. There is an opportunity for self-assessment as part of the tutor-guided preparation for the summative module assessment. Northumbria University’s e-Learning portal (ELP) will allow you remote access to the library resources, including Academic Skills development.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will appraise the principles of screening and physical assessment standards applied to the Newborn
2. You will demonstrate an informed understanding of the newborn parameters of health and wellbeing

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will demonstrate competence to
perform the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) screening and examination of the newborn
4. You will critically appraise evidence and
research, and draw conclusions of its usefulness to inform newborn examination and care practice


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will evaluate your professional role, and personal responsibility when assuming the remit as a NIPE practitioner

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment: Opportunities are available during clinical supervision and tutor and peer contact for progress feedback. These opportunities will feed forward to inform progress toward achieving the components of summative assessment


Summative Assessment – this is completed within 6 months of online learning package commencing. Sequencing as below.

MLO 1,2,3,5
Clinical Assessment Portfolio
Achievement of learning outcomes with supporting evidence. Pass/Fail -submission within 4 calendar months of online learning package commencing.

MLO 2,3,4
OSCE simulated examination of the newborn examination with questions and answers to ascertain knowledge and understanding with application. 100%. submission within 6 calendar months of online learning package commencing. (i.e. within two months of Clinical Assessment Portfolio submission)

Pre-requisite(s)

“ To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module enables registered healthcare professionals to enhance their existing skills and expertise in examination and care of the newborn. On successful completion of the module you will be recognised as a Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) practitioner, this provides opportunity for you to accept enhanced professional responsibility and involvement with an aspect of practice that is engaging and rewarding. The module is work based supported by online learning; this enables you to learn in a familiar environment. You will complete the module and its assessment within six months of commencing the online package. In order to complete the module your professional day-to-day practice must enable you to encounter newborn infants for the duration of the module; you may wish to discuss this with your employer prior to making an application. Recognition as a NIPE practitioner is increasingly beneficial when competing for new employment in the maternity and early years health settings.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 2 years part-time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

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