Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing

During this module you’ll gain the knowledge and skills which will enable you to meet the following Standards of Proficiency for Nurse and Midwife Prescribers, NMC (2006):

• Assess and consult with patient/clients, clients, parents and carers
• Undertake a thorough history, including medication history and current medication (including over-the-counter, alternative and complementary health therapies) to inform diagnosis 
• Understand and apply the relevant legislation to the practice of nurse prescribing
• Critically appraise, use sources of information/advice and decision support systems in prescribing practice
• Understand the influences that can affect prescribing practice, and demonstrate your understanding by managing your prescribing practice in an ethical way
• Understand and apply knowledge of drug actions in prescribing practice 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and relationships of others involved in prescribing, supplying and administering medicines
• Prescribe safely, appropriately and cost effectively
• Practice within a framework of professional accountability and responsibility

Who this course is for 

This module is aimed at NMC registered nurses who are keen to gain skills and knowledge in prescribing.

Course team

• Jill Gould: Programme Leader and Community Prescriber

• Tony Daly: Senior Lecturer; Independent Prescriber

• Rachel Lewis: Senior Lecturer, Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber

• Sharan Watson: Lecturer, Independent Prescriber and Advanced Nurse Practitioner

On completion of this course you should be able to:

• Articulate some of the key principles of pharmacology applicable to nurse prescribing practice
• Appraise key professional, ethical and legal issues while reflecting on the roles, relationships, team working and influences on prescribing practice
• Critically apply assessment and consultation models, incorporating evidence-based practice to prescribe safely, appropriately and cost-effectively

To undertake this module you must:

• Be an NMC registered nurse intending to practice in an area of clinical need for which prescribing from the Community Practitioner Formulary will improve patient / client care and service delivery
• Have a professional qualification (Diploma, Degree or equivalent)
• Hold a current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Hold a minimum of two years appropriate clinical experience as a registered nurse.
• Have appropriate background knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrate the ability to study at academic level 6 (degree level)
• Be able to demonstrate approval and support from your employer / sponsor, including confirmation that you’ll have appropriate supervised practice in the clinical area in which you are expected to practice
• Have an approved Mentor or Practice Teacher, normally recognised by the employing / Health Service commissioning organisation as having relevant experience and training in the supervision support and assessment of trainees
• Be professionally practising in a post relevant for community prescribing

If you are funding your own study, the module price will be confirmed shortly.

Level 6

LBR applications

• If you are applying for an LBR funded place, please Apply directly to the University.
• Find out more about LBR and whether you are eligible for an LBR Level 6 course

Apply directly to the University

Self-funded applications

• If you are financing your study yourself, please contact Admissions on 01332 591167 or email askadmissions@derby.ac.uk to secure your place

Contact us

If you want to find out more about studying a short course, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Additional information about your studies

Minimum numbers

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