Course overview
You gain an academic qualification of a Professional Graduate Certificate, and achieve the new QNI/QNIS Voluntary Standards for District Nurse Education and Practice as well as the standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the Specialist Practice in Nursing in the Home/District Nursing professional qualification which is recorded on the NMC register. This qualification has integrated within it the Community Practitioner Prescribing (V100) qualification (NMC 2018), enabling you to prescribe from the community practitioner’s formulary
.You will also have demonstrated skills at Level 3 of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines in brief interventions which is a requirement for a district nurse as set out in the Health Education England’s District Nursing and General Practice Education and Career Framework (2015). The course has been designed in consultation with local employers, professional standards bodies, students (past and present), service users and carers, and district nurse educators from across the country resulting in a programme which is challenging, contemporary, inspiring and enjoyable.
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Supporting information for applicants
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Course details
You study full time for 44 weeks undertaking six modules. This course includes practice competencies which are achieved whilst you are on placement. The balance of the course is 50% theory and 50% practice.
Course structure
Core modules
Applying Leadership and Management in the Context of Specialist Practice
You reflect on your own leadership skills, strengths, weaknesses and areas for development. You are then guided to consider ways to develop your professional leadership skills. You explore the challenges of leading and managing a team in the current health and social care context and consider strategies to be more effective in this role.
Community Practitioner Prescribing (V100)
You consider issues important for safe and effective prescribing, and develop a reflective approach to practice. You will explore the principles of prescribing and, alongside the taught component, you undertake self-assessment to determine your ability to develop safe and effective prescribing practice. You will work closely with your practice teacher to develop prescribing experiences and complete a portfolio of evidence which your practice teacher verifies.
The district nursing professional competencies sit within this module – teaching in your placement area, with your practice teacher or sign-off mentor, is fundamental to achieving this module. This is evidenced through a portfolio. You also explore core aspects of district nursing in more depth in the classroom, considering issues such as case management, risk assessment, the commissioning agenda and communication skills. You explore in-depth issues specific to the district nursing specialism.
This module develops your understanding of the concept of evidence-based practice as a framework in which to explore different research methodologies. It helps develop key skills in critical thinking, academic writing and information retrieval and begins the preparation for the final-year community project.
Practice Development in District Nursing
You explore an issue which is relevant to practice in your area and consider potential enhancements to the current district nursing service. You undertake a community needs assessment to help you choose an issue and then explore the evidence base for best practice around this topic. You then outline a practice development that would enhance district nursing and follows on from your initial consideration of the evidence. You are guided through this process by a supervisor from the programme team.
Principles and Practice of Managing Long-term Conditions
You gain the necessary analytical and innovative skills, knowledge and competence to meet the demands of community service delivery in the area of long-term conditions. You explore the long-term health conditions agenda and develop your clinical skills.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You commit to a very comprehensive yet individualised approach to learning. There are opportunities for some components to be accredited through recognised prior learning – this is agreed on an individual basis. We help you gain confidence in accessing digital resources. Some of your learning is shared with students on other courses, whilst some time is dedicated to just your course. Classroom teaching uses a range of techniques and approaches, including group discussions, presentations, project work, clinical skills development in practical labs. We highly value the experience and knowledge of service users and carers who are involved in the programme, for example through teaching activities and assessment. Your practice assessor and key practice supervisor plays a significant role in ensuring that you have access to great learning opportunities whilst on placement. Their skill and experience also provide you with an excellent role model.
How you are assessed
You are assessed in a number of ways as we know everyone learns differently. These include exams, essays, reflections, reports, simulations, projects and assessing proficiencies in practice evidenced through a portfolio. Your practice assessor and key practice supervisor are key to these practice assessments.
Entry requirements
Please use this flowchart to ensure you are applying for the correct award.
You will hold a first degree (including 120 credits at Level 6), have an NMC-valid registration as a registered adult nurse, be successful at interview where value-based recruitment is embedded and subject to gaining support from an employing organisation who is responsible for the following essential elements:
- enabling access to the appropriate learning opportunities - normally you will have supernumerary status throughout the learning programme
- providing a nominated practice assessor and key practice supervisor who contributes to the teaching and assessment process, are practising community prescribers and provide you with practice learning opportunities
- completing a satisfactory work-based risk assessment
- ensuring you have a satisfactory DBS check and that the employer has a policy which requires you to inform them as your employer immediately of any changes which may affect the status of your DBS record - any issues which may have implications for your progression on the course must be communicated to the course leader immediately.
Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credits for previous study or related work experience which can be credited towards the course you want to study. Find out more about RPL.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
When you successfully complete the course, you are well prepared for the dynamic and inspiring world of community nursing as well as being in a strong position to apply for position as a district nurse and team leader.