1. Engaging with stakeholders in the development of a trans-national education (TNE) nursing curriculum
Simon Sikora
International Lead for Undergraduate Programmes Long Term Conditions Theme, School Of Health and Social Care
Edinburgh Napier University

2. What follows.. Background to the BSc (Nursing) in Singapore
How we consulted with stakeholders
Using the National Student Survey
Feedback from our partners
Challenges and successes
Feed-forward for next time

3. Background
Collaborative ‘top-up’ (diploma to degree) programme – delivered in Singapore by ENU lecturers (so-called ‘Fly-in faculty’ model)
Recruiting students per trimester
Students are from across Singaporean cultures, employed, working shifts, with family commitments and typically little recent academic experience
Programme needs to fulfil the needs of students, the nursing profession, and patients/clients in Singapore

4. Consultation Process
NSS undertaken annually with students (since 2013)
Current Students (Focus Groups / Online Evaluation) n= 137
Alumni (Focus Groups / Online Evaluation) n= 112
Alumni-employers in Singapore (Online Evaluation) n = 46
Singapore Nursing Board lead (1:1’s)
Nurse Leaders in Singapore (1:1’s)
Singapore-based Curriculum Reviewers (SNB requirements)

5. SNB Professional nursing body in Singapore
Responsible for maintaining professional educational standards and nurse registration
4 yearly programme re-approval
Without approval - no programme
Meticulous scrutiny

6. National Student Survey
Pan-UK survey – 27 key questions focussed on student experience
Results are published nationally and widely applied to University league-tables
Adopted /adapted in 2013 for BSc (Singapore) and undertaken annually since then
Samples range from 25-40% of active students – delivered electronically (‘Novi Survey’) and on paper

7. Novi Survey - NSS

8. NSS: Feedback More face to face input
Flexibility for student demographic
Unfamiliarity with assessment methods
Underlying academic skills
Increased specificity to Singapore clinical environment

9. Nurse Leaders and Employers
Moving to an integrated care model (as in the UK)
Clinical priorities: Older Person, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease
Seeking greater autonomy in their graduate nurses
Focus on evidence-based practice, clinical leadership and particularly ethically- and legally-cognisant practice

10. Evaluation – Students and Alumni
Online evaluation using ‘Novi Survey’ in early 2016
131 current students and 106 alumni responses
Likert scale with free text sections
Sought information on current programme
Asked to identify priorities and challenges for nursing and healthcare in the coming decade
No significant difference between groups

11. Results – Students and Alumni
Liked ‘flying faculty’ model
Flexibility in delivery
More online sessions helpful
More variety in Assessment
Opportunities for formative feedback
Confidence and skill development
Improved career prospects

12. Challenges SNB: Hands-on approach and inconsistency
Parallel bureaucracies
Access to clinical staff (conflicts of interest)
NSS return rates inconsistent
Change of academic partner at the ‘last’ moment
Student confusion and anxiety
Multiple approval processes required
Academic conduct

13. Successes The programme looks like the feedback suggested it should
Several expressions of ‘good practice’ noted during academic and professional approval processes including consultative processes
Greater focus on suitability for Singapore nursing and its clientele
Applications being received for the new programme with new partner

14. Lessons
Cultural differences, but with many shared professional values and understanding
Marathon, not a sprint
Plan a reasonable start-date – and then begin 6 months prior to that
Avoid assumptions – clarity in communication
Share the experience

15. Thank you. School of Health & Social Care
Simon Sikora, International Lead for Undergraduate Programmes
+44 (0)
School of Health & Social Care