Academic modules

Flexible, specialist education designed for real-world neuro-disability care.

The RHN Academy offers academically accredited programmes that combine evidence-based learning with specialist clinical expertise developed through decades of caring for people with complex neurological conditions.

Delivered by experienced clinicians and subject experts from the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, our programmes are designed to translate specialist knowledge into everyday clinical practice, equipping nurses with the confidence, skills and leadership required to deliver high-quality, person-centred care across a wide range of healthcare settings.

Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Neuro-disability Nursing Practice

Our Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Neuro-disability Nursing Practice is a contemporary Master’s-level qualification, validated by Kingston University London, designed specifically for registered nurses caring for people with complex neurological and neuro-disability needs.

Developed in response to the growing demand for specialist expertise, the programme supports nurses working across acute, rehabilitation, community, long-term care, independent healthcare and specialist neurological services.

Learning is practice-focused, enabling students to immediately apply new knowledge and skills to improve patient care while advancing their professional and academic development.

What You Will Learn

Throughout the programme, students will critically explore:

• Contemporary evidence underpinning neuro-disability nursing practice
• Comprehensive assessment, clinical reasoning and complex decision-making
• Rehabilitation principles and interdisciplinary working
• Ethical, legal and safeguarding considerations
• Leadership, quality improvement and evidence-informed practice
• The nursing contribution to improving patient outcomes, quality of life and long-term wellbeing

Learning is shaped not only by the latest evidence but also by the lived experiences of patients and families, ensuring graduates are equipped to meet the realities of complex neurological care.

Programme Structure

The PgCert is achieved through successful completion of two 30-credit academic modules (60 credits in total). Students may choose any combination of two modules, studied in any order, allowing them to tailor the programme to their individual learning and career aspirations.

Core Modules Include:

Neurorehabilitation Nursing Practice

Part-time Intake 1

• 22 September 2026* – 24 November 2026*

Part-time Intake 2

• 19 January 2027* – 23 March 2027

Long-term Ventilation

Part-time Intake 1

• 24 September 2026* – 3 December 2026*

Part-time Intake 2

• 19 January 2027* – 30 March 2027*

The Management of Long-term Neurological Conditions

Available from September 2027*.

Students may complete any combination of two modules to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate in Neuro-disability Nursing Practice.

Flexible Study Options

Students may commence their studies in either September or January, with a maximum registration period of two years to complete the Postgraduate Certificate.

Before enrolment, applicants will have an individual discussion with the Partnership Liaison Officer to identify the combination of modules that best supports their professional development goals, practice setting and career aspirations.

Students must be working in a relevant clinical environment that enables them to achieve the module learning outcomes throughout their studies.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements but prefer not to enrol on the full Postgraduate Certificate may choose to study individual 30-credit standalone modules at either:

• Level 6 (Degree)
• Level 7 (Master’s)

This flexible approach allows nurses to undertake specialist continuing professional development without committing to the full postgraduate award.

Additional Standalone Module

The RHN Academy also offers a standalone 30-credit Principles of Long-Term Neurological Care module, available at Level 5 and Level 6, commencing from September 2027*.

This module provides an excellent opportunity for healthcare professionals wishing to develop specialist knowledge in long-term neurological care without undertaking postgraduate study.

*Advertised teaching dates are provisional and subject to change.

Year 1 (Level 6/7) 30 Credits

Module Overview:

This module is designed for healthcare professional seeking to expand their knowledge and clinical understanding of individuals requiring long-term ventilation invasive and non-invasively care for in the community. It explores the underpinning anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, the pathophysiology of respiratory failure, and the long-term physiological effects of ventilation on major organ systems. Learners will examine the principles of ventilator settings, understanding why pressures and modes differ between patients and how these impact outcomes. Ethical and legal considerations, including ventilator withdrawal and end-of-life decision-making, will be explored to support compassionate and evidence-based practice. The module highlights the crucial role of the multidisciplinary team in managing, weaning, and supporting patients and families throughout the ventilation journey. Emphasis will also be placed on psychological wellbeing, ethical questions and improving quality of life for those living with long-term ventilation. By the end of the module, learners will have advanced their critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and holistic approach to caring for this complex patient group in the community.

Aims:

• To systematically and critically evaluate an advanced understanding of respiratory anatomy, physiology, and the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to respiratory failure and the need for long-term ventilation.
• To critically analyse and synthesise the clinical application of ventilator settings, modes and pressures, enhancing professionals’ ability to understand the complexities around ventilation.
• To critically examine the ethical decision-making, legal and professional frameworks surrounding long-term ventilation, including end of life care, withdrawal of ventilation and patient advocacy.
• Leading a holistic, multidisciplinary approach that addresses the psychological, social and quality of life needs of individuals and their families receiving long term ventilation.

Year 2 (Level 5/6) 30 Credits

Module Overview:

This module is designed to introduce the core principles and fundamentals of long-term neurological care and practice for Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHCSWs), Nursing Associates (NAs) and Newly Registered Nurses (NRNs) working in or aspiring healthcare professionals to work in healthcare settings.

The module provides a shared baseline of knowledge and skills, recognising the different scopes of practice while promoting safe, person-centred, and holistic care. Learners will develop confidence in understanding neurological conditions, recognising changes in patient presentation, undertaking supported observations and contributing effectively to the multidisciplinary team (MDT).

The emphasis is on practical application, clear communication, escalation of concerns, and supporting patients with complex physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial needs across acute, rehabilitation, and long-term neurological care environments.

Aims:

• To develop knowledge and principles of nursing practice and long-term neurological care within neurological/neuro-disability settings.
• To promote safe person centred and holistic care across a range of neurological conditions.
• To support learners to recognise change, risk and deterioration and escalation concerns appropriately.
• To enable learners to contribute effectively to multi-disciplinary team working within in their scope of practice.

These modules uses a range of teaching and assessment methods which have been designed to support students’ learning and achievement of the learning outcomes. The course has been developed with reference to the Kingston University Academic Framework which sets-out core principles relating to Course and Credit Structure (including Module delivery Structure and Pattern, and Learning Hours and Learning Formats); Curriculum Design (including Learning Design Principles and Inclusive Curriculum); and Future Skills.

Teaching and Learning on the course consist of Scheduled Learning and Teaching and Guided Independent Study (self-managed time). Scheduled Learning and Teaching includes the following, and the format for each module is set out in the module specification:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Simulations
• Problem-based learning
• Workshops

Learning and teaching will be delivered through the integration of face-to-face activities, as well as asynchronous guided study activities, supported by Canvas and MS Teams, the University’s web-conferencing tool.

Guidance on the use of independent study time is communicated through the ‘Succeed in your module’ section on the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment and through other communications during the course.