Preparation of the Professional Midwifery Advocate/Professional Nurse Advocate

About the course

Advocating and educating for quality improvement (A-EQUIP) is the new model and framework of nursing supervision.

The Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) / Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) is a fundamental leadership and advocacy role designed to deploy the A-EQUIP model.

This module will help prepare midwives and nurses who aim to apply to PMA/PNA roles. Throughout the module you'll learn to listen to and understand the challenges of demands of colleagues, and to lead, support and deliver quality improvement initiatives. 

Objectives

By the end of this 12-week module, you will be able to:

• In association with your employer, create an interdependent leadership culture that will lead to quality, compassionate care for patients and service users
• Work collaboratively with other PMAs/PNAs within the existing governance and quality improvement frameworks. You will actively contribute to assurance and quality improvement initiatives, creating an environment of cultural change and opportunities to develop transformative care for women, families and service users
• Apply models of support to promote and optimise colleagues wellbeing, personal safety and to resolve conflict
• Critically evaluate communication skills and personal development required to fulfil the role of a PMA/PNA when engaging with individuals, groups and organisations
• Enact strategies to raise awareness of enablers of good health and wellbeing, and of signs of anxiety or distress in the workplace
• Contribute to the evidence base to demonstrate added value of the PMA/PNA and the A-EQUIP model to the service, organisation and profession.

Teaching and assessment

10 days over 12 weeks

The programme consists of taught University contact days, independent study days and a presentation day and additional hours allocated for clinical restorative supervision sessions in the provider Trusts.

The programme delivery is designed to recognise the existing knowledge and experience of, and work with, the participants and will be delivered via an online platform.  It is expected that the attendees will be prepared to actively participate in group discussions and take responsibility to ask questions, give feedback and support their colleagues.

Assessment

Assessment will be through completion of a competency document. Participants must demonstrate proficiency in all competencies which should be benchmarked and evidenced against proficiencies and experience.

Students must also complete a 20 minute individual presentation.

Both aspects must be passed in order to successfully complete the module and become eligible to undertake the role of a PMA/PNA.

Application and funding

Only applicants who are nominated and have support from their Head of Midwifery/Nursing or your employer can apply. You can complete the online application form by visiting our how to apply page.  A fees and funding form will automatically be sent on submission of your application form, but you do not need to complete and return this as the module is paid directly by your employer.   

Please provide accurate details of your professional training qualifications on the online form.  You may be contacted to clarify these details if it is not clear.

Confirmation of your place with the exact details of the teaching will be sent closer to the start date.

Entry requirements

Learners must:

• Hold an active NMC registration

• Be employed in a registered nursing or midwifery role and must practice within a health care setting that provides NHS or NHS commissioned services

• Provide evidence of holding a level 6 certificate in education (ie, BSc Hons in Adult Nursing) or above (as per standard 4.15 of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies.) Those without a level 6 certificate in education must provide evidence of prior learning, and have line manager approval to be released.

Contact information