Community Nurse Specialist Practice (District Nursing)

If you are an NMC Registered Nurse, this will enable you to:

• Expand your knowledge, skills and proficiency in the role of the Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner in District Nursing
• Work within a District Nursing team in clinical placement supported by a Practice Supervisor
• Study modules that directly enhance your clinical practice and patient outcomes
• Develop specialist assessment, leadership and management skills
• Graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma having a greater understanding of a professional role so you can bring about integrated and high-quality health and social care
• Join with a first degree at 1:1 or 2:1 or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This course will enable you, as an experienced NMC Registered Nurse, to expand your knowledge, skills and proficiency in your role as a Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (District Nurse).

You will study modules that are linked to clinical practice, such as public health and educating communities, research, team management, principles of clinical practice and assessment, innovation, leadership and team development to help your professional development. You will focus on the importance of leadership and develop an in-depth knowledge of professional roles, so you can bring about integrated and high-quality health care in the community.

Half of your time will be spent on placement (arranged by your seconding employer), giving you hands-on experience that will support the theoretical aspects you have studied. You will study the Postgraduate Diploma full-time for one year or part-time for two years (subject to numbers of applications) to gain the specialist recordable qualification with the NMC. You will be taught using a range of methods including lectures, workshops, seminars and problem solving. Assessment methods are varied and include assignments, exams and presentations.

This course is approved against the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency (NMC, 2022), so you will gain a recordable qualification in District Nursing.

By completing this programme, you will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of clinical practice, care and caseload management, clinical practice leadership and clinical practice development. Whilst studying on this programme you will spend a balanced amount of time in clinical practice and the learning environment. This means you will gain a mixture of theory and practical experience, ensuring you're prepared to provide effective, high-quality care with the patients’ best interests in mind.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

This course involves a range of delivery, including lectures, workshops, seminars, group discussions, action learning sets and problem-based learning.

How you're assessed

You will be assessed academically through assignments, exams, and presentations. You will also be assessed on your placement by your practice assessor against the NMC Standards of Proficiency.

Building Strong Industry Connections

We believe that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Our partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure our students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations.

Through collaboration with our industry partners, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing our graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.

You should:

• Be a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Have gained a student District Nurse position from a seconding/ sponsoring NHS organisation
• Have a first degree at 1:1 or 2:1 or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The student will have successfully applied for a clinical secondment/ sponsorship with a local employer prior to applying for this Programme.

It is the Employers responsibility to ensure that any necessary Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and health checks are carried out, proof of this and indemnity will be required prior to commencement of the Programme.

Please note: This course is open to the UK only, must be seconded by NHS Employer as requires placement, Practice Supervisor, Practice Assessor and NMC PIN.

Funding

This course is paid for by NHS England.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.