Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

MSc / Postgraduate Diploma

The programme provides opportunities for the development of a critically informed understanding of contemporary issues in community and primary care and encourages an interprofessional approach to the study of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing practice.

Course MSc / Postgraduate Diploma
Length 52 weeks full time 1 Academic Year (or part time over 2 academic years). The programme must be completed within four years.
Start date September 2012

Emphasis is placed upon the development of critical and analytical skills and a reflective approach to professional practice. The programme takes account of the rapidly changing emphasis within the community and aims to equip students with a portfolio of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes applicable to work in a variety of community settings.

Three areas of defined practice are recognised, therefore the following pathways have been developed:

  • Health Visiting
  • Occupational Health
  • School Nursing

 

Why study this programme?

Specialist Community Public Health Nursing practitioners have a unique contribution to make within practice which has distinct characteristics that include public health protection. The responsibility to work with both individuals and a population may mean taking decisions on behalf of a community or group without having direct contact with every individual in that area.

Additionally, Specialist Community Public Health Nursing practitioners recognise the need to work with other agencies in order to optimise health opportunities for populations. The educational preparation of Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) is therefore essential to meeting the complex and diverse needs of communities in the future, and this programme of study aims to prepare SCPHN postgraduate practitioners to embrace these new, radical and challenging roles.

 

Features

The programme is 50% theory and 50% practice and this is integrated across the duration of the course. The theoretical component is undertaken in the University, and the practice component in a community setting under the supervision of a qualified Practice Teacher from the defined area of practice.

The PGD programme is full or part-time and modular in structure and is therefore flexible and may be studied full time over one academic year or part time over two academic years. Students who wish to exit with an MSc award must successfully complete the dissertation module. The programme must be completed in four years.

This programme is delivered at Riverside building in Chester.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

The core modules for the programme are:

 

Health Improvement and Well Being in Context Credits 15
Health Improvement and Well Being in Action
Credits 15
Research
Credits 15
Leading Innovative Contemporary Practice
Credits 15
Specialist Community Public Health Practice Credits 30

Plus Optional Modules

Two optional modules with a credit value of 15 each can be chosen from either the Faculty or wider university.

The programme attracts students from diverse clinical backgrounds, therefore a range of alternative modules are offered to meet the students' and service requirements.

Students are consequently able to pursue professional or academic interests.

One Level 6 module* may be studied within the programme.

 

Examples of optional modules include:

  • The Working Environment
  • Individual Work Based Learning*
  • Brief Interventions for Mental Health
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups in Society
  • Interpersonal Skills*
  • Developing Alliances in Working with Children, Young People and Families
  • Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing*
Next: Assessment

The practice component is assessed in a community setting via a Practice Learning Portfolio under the supervision of a qualified Practice Teacher.

Taught modules are assessed in a variety of ways e.g. examinations, written reports, assignments, seminar presentations, oral examination and portfolio.

Next: Careers

Specialist Community Public Health Nursing defined areas:

  • Health Visiting
  • School Nursing
  • Occupational Health Nursing
Next: Entry requirements

Applicants must also meet the following requirements:

  • Registration on the appropriate part of the NMC register
  • Successful completion of a degree in nursing or a health-related field, or equivalent (i.e. 120 credits at level 4, 120 credits at level 5 and 120 credits at level 6, either through study or AP(E)L)
  • Normally a minimum of two years' post-registration experience*
  • Normally successful completion of a level 6 Mentorship module *
  • Support from the sponsoring trust or organisation*


*Candidates who do not possess the above requirements may exceptionally be admitted to the programme using one of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled upon a combined pre-registration nursing/ Health Visiting programme
  • Support from sponsoring Trust or organisation
  • Evidence of practice in a closely related area of specialism
Beginning: Overview

Useful links

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Health and Social Care Admissions
    T:
    01244 511000 - Please ask for Health & Social Care Admissions
    F:
    01244 511302
    hscadmissions@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Helen Carr, Programme Leader
    T:
    01925 534050
    h.carr@chester.ac.uk

  • Faculty of Health and Social Care, General Enquiries
    T:
    01244 511000
    F:
    01244 511270
    enquiries@chester.ac.uk