Information and credits

The Learning Zone team would like to thank our colleagues at the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) for their help and support in the development of this online learning resource.

Who is this learning for?

This learning programme has been developed for registered nurses, student nurses, health care assistants, assistant practitioners, or others working in health care. It is also a helpful general resource for anyone interested in learning more about HIV infection. The learning content provides an overview of the key issues related to HIV and is suitable for those with limited experience with HIV infection as well as for those who want to reinforce their knowledge and skills. It is designed in ‘bite-sized’ sections that learners can work through at their own pace, either in one or several sittings. Learners may work through all sections or simply select those that are most relevant to their needs or interest.

Learning outcomes

After completing all the sections in this learning programme, learners should be able to:

Describe at least three ways stigma can negatively impact on the education, prevention, and treatment of HIV infection.
Provide at least three examples of ways to challenge HIV-related stigma.
Describe the key facts surrounding HIV including its transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Demonstrate an awareness of their own values and attitudes towards HIV and those with the infection and explain how they keep these separate from the care they provide to patients.
Describe the process and issues regarding testing for HIV.
Describe at least three legal rights and responsibilities of people who are diagnosed with HIV infection.
Describe specific professional responsibilities in relation to HIV.
Describe the issues and steps involved in HIV risk assessment.
Describe when patients or clients should be referred to colleagues or other services.

Principles of Nursing Practice (PNP)

Each of the eight Principles of Nursing Practice can be applied to this learning resource; however, those that feature most predominantly are:

Principle A - treating everyone with dignity and humanity.
Principle B - taking responsibility for the care they provide and answering for their own judgments and actions.
Principle D - providing and promoting person-centred care.
Principle F - having up-to-date knowledge and skills.
Principle H - leading by example.

These principles provide a useful framework for writing a reflective record of your learning. You may also think of ways you can draw on the remaining principles based on your own clinical experience and observations.

Relevant Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) dimensions

Core dimension 2 - Personal and people development
Information and Knowledge (IK) dimension 3 - Knowledge and information resources

Content Team

This learning area was written by Lynn Adams.
Interactive elements and animations were created by John Heseltine BA (Hons) and George Reith.

Expert peer review panel

Thanks to the following people for their expert review of the materials in this learning area:

Jason Warriner, Clinical Director/Service Quality and Governance Director, Terrence Higgins Trust
Garry Brough, Membership and Involvement Officer, Terrence Higgins Trust
Ben Tunstall, Head of Health Promotion, Terrence Higgins Trust
Ben Watson, BA (Hons), MA (DipSW), Programme Lead Long Term Condition Management/Social Worker, Terrence Higgins Trust
Tanis Hand, Health Care Assistant Adviser, Royal College of Nursing
Jan Maw, Public Health Adviser, Royal College of Nursing
Sarah Strodbeck, RN, DipHE, EINP, MSc, Sexual Health Service Delivery Manager, Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust.
Wendy Turner, Clincal Support Worker, Trinity Centre for Infectious Diseases and Sexual Health, Bradford Hospitals
Beverly Griggs, Occupational Health Nurse Manger, NHS Borders
Vivienne Evans, Communication Officer, Royal College of Nursing