About the course

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.

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.

How you'll be assessed

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.

For those undertaking the Apprenticeship route, the End Point Assessment (EPA) must be completed within the EPA period of 3 months (beginning when the apprentice has passed the EPA gateway, ie. The employer is satisfied the apprentice is consistently working at, or above, the level of the occupational standard.  English/ mathematics Level 2 has been achieved. The Practice Assessment Document (PAD) submitted and mapped to Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs).

Entry Requirements

Funding

This is an NHS-commissioned programme with no student-tuition fees.

Our programme is now also available via an apprenticeship route. 

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.

Careers

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.