The Specialist Community Nursing Programme: Community Children’s Nursing, District Nursing and General Practice Nursing (MSc top-up available)

For January starters there will be induction on 6th, 7th and 8th January 2025

About this Programme

The programme is designed to enable NMC registered nurses to take a strategic lead in advancing specialist community nursing. The programme fosters effective collaboration across various disciplines and agencies, all with the goal of enhancing the health and well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities. The programme fulfils the education and professional Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Nursing developed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2022) and Standards for post-registration programmes (2022).

The programme leads to a recordable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional recognition as a Specialist Community Nurse in either Community Children’s Nursing with Integrated Independent Nurse Prescribing, District Nursing with Integrated Independent Nurse Prescribing, General Practice Nursing with or without Integrated Independent Nurse Prescribing.

The programme has been designed to align with the pillars of advanced practice and will equip students with the necessary skills for advancing practice. The programme is also mapped to the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) field specific standards for the community nursing specialist practitioner qualification.

 The three different pathways for this programme differ as follows:

 Community Children’s Nurses deliver specialised care to children and young people with complex, often long-term illnesses and disabilities in the community. Alongside direct care, they support parents and families, including teaching specific care techniques to help maintain the child's health at home when safe. Collaboration with and communication within the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team are also key responsibilities.

District Nurses are essential members of the primary healthcare team. They lead and manage teams that visit patients in their homes or residential care facilities, delivering increasingly complex care and supporting family members. In addition to providing direct patient care.  District Nurses teach and support patients in self-care and educate family members on how to care for their relatives. They play a critical role in minimizing hospital admissions and readmissions, ensuring patients can return home as quickly as possible. Collaboration with the multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team is expected.

A General Practice Nurse works in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team, which can include doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, paramedics, and dieticians. In larger practices, you may be one of several practice nurses sharing duties and responsibilities. In smaller practices, you might work independently, taking on multiple roles. The scope of your role will depend on the employer's needs. Effective collaboration and communication with the multidisciplinary and multi-agency team will be essential.

Why Choose this Programme

 This programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen field, whether you’re aiming to be a Community Children’s Nurse, District Nurse or General Practice Nurse.

During the PGDip Specialist Community Nursing programme, you will: 

• Evaluate the current organisational and professional agendas that influence care delivery in primary healthcare and community settings.
• Study leadership and management skills so that when you graduate you will be able to provide effective leadership within a mixed skill team and multi-agency work setting as well as to work proactively in a commissioning environment.
•  Combine learning at the University with hands-on experience in a practice environment, with an equal allocation of practice and theory hours. 

Programme Structure

To attain a PGDip award you need to complete 120 credits. To top-up to an MSc you will need to complete a further 60 credits (180 credits) apply for MSc Top-Up here. There is an interim award available of a Postgraduate Certificate which can be awarded after completing 60 credits. There is no professional qualification associated with this award.

Teaching Methods

On the PGDip Specialist Community Nursing programme, you will experience a diverse range of teaching styles designed to enhance your educational journey. This programme prioritises the development of your capacity for self-directed study and interpersonal skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for the demands of the field.

We place a strong emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations, and computer literacy. Alongside traditional lectures, seminars, tutorials, and simulation of practice which allows learners to actively engage with realistic scenarios relevant to their field, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. You will engage in case studies, clinical assessments, individual and group projects, and other student-centred activities.

The programme's assessment methods are varied and dynamic, including essays, presentations, reports, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE) and posters. This multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your skills and knowledge, setting you up for success in your professional career.

•  A UK degree, or other qualification at equivalent level, in a health-related subject.
• Current and active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration as a nurse (level 1)
• You will need to have access to an appropriate specialist community practice placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor for the duration of your studies on the programme. This is normally provided through the sponsoring employer.
• Applicants must demonstrate safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved Specialist Community Nursing programme before being considered eligible to apply for entry.
•  Normally students are sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme, however, it is possible for self-funded/ non-NHS/ self-employed students to enrol on the programme providing they are able to locate and negotiate an appropriate specialist community practice placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor whilst enrolled on the programme, with an appropriate service provider.
• Non-NHS, self-employed or self-funding applicants must complete an honorary contract with their allocated supporting organisation in addition to the University online application and supporting admissions form. 
•  Successful interview with the sponsoring employer, conducted in collaboration with the University to demonstrate the student’s understanding of the role of the Community Children’s Nurse, District Nurse or General Practice Nurse, the demands of the programme and academic level of study required.
• Successful applicants are subject to disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks and occupational health assessments.