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    Specialist Community Nursing - District Nursing Pathway - PgDip, MSc

    Would you like to train as a District Nurse? School of Nursing and Midwifery has developed an NMC approved Specialist Community Nursing (District Nursing) programme. This programme is available for Home students only who are employed in a community nursing role and are seconded by their employer or funded to undertake the apprenticeship route.

    *This pathway is currently under review pending the outcomes of the NMC review of post-registration standards*

    Month of entry

    • September, March

    Mode of study

    • Full time, Part time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Nursing

    Fees for 2023/24 academic year


    • UK - This is an NHS-commissioned programme with no student-tuition fees. Our programme is now also available via an apprenticeship route. 

    Duration of study

    • 1 year full time, 2 years part time
    Apply now

    Why study Specialist Community Nursing - District Nursing Pathway at Keele University?

    Britain's best university, as ranked by students (Student Crowd University Awards, 2022)
    Join a close-knit postgraduate community
    Top 10 in the UK for research opportunities offered to postgraduate students (PRES, 2019)

    Course summary

    The pressures on the role of the District Nurse have changed substantially over recent years. District Nurses deliver care to patients with a range of complex clinical conditions; these caseload changes are largely as a result of the demographic changes we have seen in recent years (Office of National Statistics (ONS), 2014). An increasingly ageing population and the proposed national shift in the preferred location of care to ‘care closer to home’ (Queens Nursing Institute (QNI), 2013; Department of Health (DH), 2014), has dramatically changed the complexity of the care the service delivers and the dependency of patients requiring such care. These changes have intensified demands on the District Nursing service (QNI, 2015).

    The aim of this programme is to support the development and enhancement of essential knowledge and skills in the registered practitioner to equip them for a career in specialist community nursing.  This will be actualised through building upon the theoretical and clinical basis of their specialised area of practice, through delivery of a coherent programme of study. The award options have a contemporary focus and meet the NMC Standards for Specialist Education and Practice (NMC, 2001) for those aspiring to work within the field of District Nursing.

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    Course structure

    The Postgraduate Diploma Specialist Community Nursing award – recordable with the NMC - comprises five taught modules and can be undertaken full time over one year or part time over two years (or as an apprenticeship route, part time over two years).

    In order to prepare a practitioner who is able to contribute positively to delivering the health and social care needs of individuals and communities, the educational and learning process will concern itself with the integration and application of theory to practice.   Consequently, the student will develop the ability to reflect on practice and respond proactively to change, whilst maintaining quality within patient/client care.  Critical - thinking skills and a sound evidence base to their practice are essential for competent practice.

    The learning methods selected are used to support students to meet the stated learning outcomes by providing a balance of independent, supported study with choice in relation to topics of relevance and importance to individuals’ teaching contexts, the provision of dialogic development of skills and knowledge through peer and expert support.

    Some of the core modules are shared with other advanced programmes; this enhances inter-professional learning with colleagues from a range of disciplines and clinical areas.

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    Entry requirements

    • Current first level Professional Registration on Part 1 of the NMC Register (Registered Nurse).
    • Either a BSc (Hons) or evidence of success at degree level study.
    • Level 2 Maths and English prior to commencing the programme (requirement of the apprenticeship route).
    • Sponsorship from an authorised NHS Trust/Organisation.
    • The selection process is undertaken in association with the sponsoring NHS Trust/Organisation. 

    Please note this programme is available for Home students only who are employed in a community nursing role and are seconded by their employer or funded to undertake the apprenticeship route.

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    Funding

    Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2023 start date falls in the 2022/23 academic year. Please see the 2022/23 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2023.

    Planning your funding

    It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

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    Your career

    The aim of this programme is to support you in the development and enhancement of essential knowledge and skills as a registered practitioner and equip you for a career in specialist community nursing. This will be actualised through building upon the theoretical and clinical basis of your specialised area of practice and developing your intellectual, personal and professional capabilities.

    Our educational programme and learning environment has a contemporary focus which serves to meet the NMC Standards for Specialist Community Nursing (NMC 2004) and to help you to become a well-rounded practitioner, capable of making a positive and valued contribution in the field of District Nursing.

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt.  These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe,  respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

    Assessment

    Keele University Learning and Teaching Strategy (2011) has informed the development of assessments within this programme. The purpose of the assessments is to measure students’ achievement of the programme learning outcomes  Assessment methods include essays, Reflective analysis/accounts. Portfolios: Examinations, Presentations and Clinical Assessment of Competence in Practice.

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    Keele Postgraduate Association

    Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

    KPA interior

    Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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    Facilities

    The School of Nursing and Midwifery utilises modern teaching facilities, including skills labs and the anatomy suite where appropriate, to enhance and support the student learning experience. All facilities are equipped with computers, internet access and projection equipment. Rooms are designed to be flexible and can be used for larger groups, also more informally for small groups working together.

    The learning resources available to students on the programme include: 

    An extensive collection of materials relevant to postgraduate study held in both the main University Library on Keele campus, and in the Health Library on the campus of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. A number of relevant journals are also accessible online to all registered students, and are accessible from anywhere in the world with a University username and password

    The Keele Learning Environment (KLE) provides easy access to a wide range of learning resources including lecture notes and presentations, discussion boards and blogs enabling students and tutors to discuss topics, all information about the programme and all modules, and other materials designed specifically for particular modules.

    Computers for student use are situated in both the Main Library, also in the Health Library.

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