BSc/PGDip Community Nursing

A number of different assessment strategies will be used, including an examination, a literature review, a seminar presentation, a group presentation and a practice portfolio. Each core module has both practice and theory learning outcomes that you will need to attain to complete the programme successfully.

A combination of workplace learning and University attendance, depending on the selection of modules and the modes of teaching and delivery identified for each module.

Full-time students will be committed to the programme for five days per week. The days will be split between theory and practice.

The overall structure of the programme comprises 50% theory and 50% practice.

The full-time option will normally be completed during one 52-week academic year and the part-time programme will normally be completed over two 52 -week academic years.

• Social Context of Health

  This module is a core module for the Community Specialist Practitioner Programmes (SPQ) pathways, which do not lead to registration on the third part of the NMC Register. It covers those elements of Public Health required by the NMC (2001) for SPQ programmes, but in less detail than the same material which will be covered in the specific Public Health Pathway modules.

  By studying this module, you'll develop a critical understanding of the processes and pressures that shape social (particularly health) policy in contemporary society. You'll explore the impact of wider society on material, structural and cultural aspects of the individual and evaluate approaches to the assessment of individual and population health needs and coordination of appropriate responses.

  Activities will include work with individuals, families, groups and communities and will relate to those who are well, ill dying, handicapped or disabled. Those who are able should be assisted to recognise their own health needs in order to decide on action appropriate to their own lifestyle. Those who are not able will require skilled and sensitive help.

• Understanding Evidence and Information in Specialist Practice

  This module aims to develop your understanding of the need for evidence-based practice and how it enhances the quality of care. It enables you to systematically search the literature, assimilate research findings and apply this theory to real-world practice.

  The module introduces research and the application of evidence to specialist practice. Practitioners are required to understand the principles of research, to be able to critically evaluate research and to be able to apply it to the practice setting. Within this module, there are both theoretical and practice learning outcomes to be achieved.

• Leading and Organising Specialist Practice

  Develop the knowledge and skills required to promote learning and professional development of self and others. This module aims to promote your organisational and leadership abilities as well as giving you the knowledge and skills for decision-making and professional effectiveness.

  Learning outcomes include: exploring and analysing models of management, leadership and decision-making in relation to specialist practice; providing counselling and psychological support for individuals and their carers; acting as a source of expert advice in clinical nursing practice to the primary health care team and others; and creating an environment in which clinical practice development is fostered, evaluated and disseminated - to name just a few.

• Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing

  This module enables you to prescribe for the patients you currently work with and prescribe from Nurse Prescribers Formulary for Community Practitioners.

• Consolidation of Practice (District Nursing)

  (Specialist Practice Qualification in Community Nursing DN SPQ (District Nursing))

  This is the final module for the Community BSc / PGDip programme. It is designed to allow you to consolidate your learning from all the other modules undertaken during the programme and to facilitate the holistic application of learning in practice.

  It is undertaken as a full-time period of practice during Trimester three, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for the District Nurse Specialist Practitioner Qualification and is a core module for all Community Specialist Practice Pathways. For successful completion of the module, competence to practise within the specialist area in accordance with the NMC standards must be demonstrated.

  Additional Study days are planned throughout the trimester.

• Public Health I - Health and Needs

  This is the first of two modules which together address the required learning outcomes for registration as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse. This module addresses the domains of: 'The Search for Health Needs' and 'The Stimulation of an Awareness of Health Needs'.

  This module aims to prepare you for your role in the surveillance and assessment of health needs. It promotes collaborative working for health and wellbeing and facilitates working with and for individuals, groups and communities to improve health and wellbeing.

• Understanding Evidence and Information in Specialist Practice

  This module aims to develop your understanding of the need for evidence-based practice and how it enhances the quality of care. It enables you to systematically search the literature, assimilate research findings and apply this theory to real-world practice.

  The module introduces research and the application of evidence to specialist practice. Practitioners are required to understand the principles of research, to be able to critically evaluate research and to be able to apply it to the practice setting. Within this module, there are both theoretical and practice learning outcomes to be achieved.

• Public Health II - The Practice of Public Health

  This module is the second of two modules which together address the required learning outcomes for registrations as a Specialist Community Public health Practitioner. In doing so, it addresses the requirements for learning in the domains of 'Influence on Policies affecting Health' and 'Facilitating Health-enhancing Activities' for the Specialist Public Health Nursing curriculum.

  Studying this module enables you to appraise different approaches to public health practice; contribute to policy development; and enables the planning, delivery and evaluation of appropriate programmes of health promotion.

• Leading and Organising Specialist Practice

  Develop the knowledge and skills required to promote learning and professional development of self and others. This module aims to promote your organisational and leadership abilities as well as giving you the knowledge and skills for decision-making and professional effectiveness.

  Learning outcomes include: exploring and analysing models of management, leadership and decision-making in relation to specialist practice; providing counselling and psychological support for individuals and their carers; acting as a source of expert advice in clinical nursing practice to the primary health care team and others; and creating an environment in which clinical practice development is fostered, evaluated and disseminated - to name just a few.

• Consolidation of Practice (School Nursing and Health Visiting)

  (Specialist Community Public Health Nursing : SCPHN (School Nursing and Health Visiting))

  This is the final module for the Community BSc / PGDip programme. It is designed to allow you to consolidate your learning from all the other modules undertaken during the programme, and to facilitate the holistic application of learning in practice.

  It is undertaken as a full-time period of practice during Trimester three, in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing and is a core module for all Community Specialist Practice Pathways. For successful completion of the module, competence to practise within the specialist area in accordance with the NMC standards must be demonstrated.

  Additional Study days are planned throughout the trimester.

• Supporting Adults with Long Term Conditions

  The number of people living with a long term condition is on the increase. This contemporary module gives you the skills, knowledge, approaches, and behaviour needed to support people living with chronic illness.

• Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing

  This module enables you to prescribe for the patients you currently work with and prescribe from Nurse Prescribers Formulary for Community Practitioners.

• Working with Families and Communities to Safeguard Children and Young People

  Designed for public health nurses and other community nurses and practitioners, this module will give you the up to date knowledge of the theory and practice skills to work safely to safeguard children and young people.