Critical Care Practice Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert

This course offers an exciting opportunity for nurses working in a critical care environment to achieve a nationally recognised transferable Award in Critical Care Practice at academic Level 7 and aligns with the National Standards for Critical Care Education and Competency Framework (CC3N, 2023).

Why study this course?
• The School of Nursing and Midwifery utilises modern teaching facilities, including simulation suites, skills labs and an anatomy suite



• The programme uses the National Critical Care Competencies to align theory and clinical practice. The aim is to complete these competencies online, working towards completion with your clinical assessor



• Designed to meet the needs of critical care nurses, aligning to the national standards for critical care education and training to produce clinical and academic competence in nurses



• The programme will use a range of approaches including insitu and online learning with the expectation that you'll build on this through both guided and self-directed study



• Aimed at registered nurses working within critical care, focusing upon the underpinning pathophysiology and theory to promote a deeper understanding of critical illness and the role of the nurse in its management



The aim of the Critical Care course is to develop a systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and new insights in your area of specialist practice. In addition, you will develop analytical skills in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of critical care practice for patients and their families.

You will be provided with the appropriate underpinning knowledge and understanding to inform your practice to align with 'Step 2 & 3' of the National Competency Framework for Adult Critical Care Nurses (CC3N, 2015) which will enable you to demonstrate competent performance in all the course content activities. CC3N have for many years been driving work to underpin critical care nurse education. It recognised that to be able to deliver high quality care to patients, staff need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills that allow them to perform at the highest level and this should be standardised across all critical care units. This programme aligns to those standards.

On successful completion of the PG Certificate (60 credits) you will have achieved the Critical Care Qualification in Specialism.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.