This course is for qualified nurses and midwives who wish to work as specialist community public health nurses (health visiting or school nursing).

Applicants must hold a Level 1 nursing or midwifery qualification, normally at 2:2 or above (a minimum of 120 credits at Level 6). 

If you hold a diploma in nursing, you could be eligible to make an RPEL claim for entry to level 7. Students must be in possession of a relevant Diploma in Higher Education (consisting of at least 120 credits at level 5) and 15 credits at level 6 and be able to produce evidence of this when requested.

The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse course (SCPHN) is designed for nurses and midwives who wish to pursue a career in health visiting or school nursing. The course leads to a UK wide recognised qualification and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (health visitor or school nurse). The course aims to integrate the study of health, policy, research, and evidence-based practice within the context of SCPHN practice. You will have the opportunity to review and critically analyse many of the issues that impact on service delivery and outcome from a theoretical and practice perspective.

You will develop evidence-based knowledge and skills in order to respond and contribute to local and national contemporary health policy and practice.

The course comprises a total of 52 weeks which is a combination of theory and practice.

What modules will I study?

Full-time Modules (at Level 7 unless otherwise indicated) 

Advancing Academic Literacy (10 credits)

Enhancing Research in Healthcare Practice (20 credits)

Advancing Leadership and Innovation in Specialist Practice (20 credits)

Promoting Individual, Community and Population Health (20 credits)

Safeguarding and Protecting the Welfare of Children, Young People and Families (20 credits level 6)

Universal, Targeted and Specialist Services for Children, Young People and Families (30 credits)

To meet present NMC requirements, you must:

• Be a qualified nurse or midwife.
• Hold current NMC registration.
• Applicants must hold a Level 1 nursing or midwifery qualification, normally at 2:2 or above (a minimum of 120 credits at Level 6). 
• If you hold a diploma in nursing, you could be eligible to make an RPEL claim for entry to level 7. Students must be in possession of a relevant Diploma in Higher Education (consisting of at least 120 credits at level 5) and 15 credits at level 6 and be able to produce evidence of this when requested.
• Recruitment will be in partnership with local healthcare organisations (NHS trusts), which will employ successful applicants for the length of the course. As an employee of the healthcare organisation, you will be required to have an occupational health assessment and undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service police disclosure.
• If you were educated in a language other than English and/or in a country where English speakers are in a minority, you should have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill) or an equivalent rating in another Secure English Language Test.

• On successful completion of the course, you will be able to work to influence and improve individual and community health. Across a wide range of HNS and Local Authority commissioned community services.
• If you successfully complete this course, you will be awarded a PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing and be eligible to register on the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing part of the NMC register as either a health visitor or school nurse.