Care of the Patient Undergoing Anaesthesia

This is our second anaesthesia module, following on from Principles and Practices of Anaesthesia. On this module, you'll develop your practical skills, and learn about the theory behind anaesthesia and how to be a reflective practitioner.

This module is designed for post-registration nurses and follows on from Principle and Practices of Anaesthesia.

Covering the more advanced principles of anaesthesia and relevant pharmacology, it will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to recognise, communicate and respond competently, with care and compassion, when a patient's clinical condition indicates that they are becoming acutely unwell. You'll explore how psychological wellbeing can impact on recovery and the importance of patient-focused care and empowerment (Francis, 2013; NHS Constitution, 2012). You'll also gain the knowledge and theory you need to perform the role of anaesthetic assistant during advanced anaesthetic techniques. We provide plenty of opportunities to analyse and evaluate anaesthesia – both its practical use and the theory behind it.

Teaching takes several forms: we use a combination of skills labs, lectures and seminars. There will be some practical sessions taught in our state-of-the-art theatre and laboratory facilities. The course is delivered on a day release basis, with one study day at university per fortnight of the trimester. You'll spend a large amount of time in clinical practice meeting practical competencies, completing a minimum of 300 hours in anaesthetic practice. The course is run alongside the Operating Department Practice DipHE so there are opportunities for multidisciplinary learning and networking. Small class sizes allow for excellent rapport with tutors and your fellow students.

Generally, this module is funded by your employing Trust as part of a continuing professional development commitment. You can also fund the module yourself if it's taken as part of a degree programme.