Specialist Practice Community

MSc / Postgraduate Diploma

This 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 Practice Community nursing.

Course MSc / Postgraduate Diploma
Length 40 weeks full time over 1 academic year (or part time over 2 academic years) to exit with a PGDip award. The programme must be completed in four years
Start date September 2012

Emphasis is placed upon the further development of critical and analytical skills using a reflective approach to professional practice. The programme acknowledges the rapidly changing emphasis on care provision within community contexts, and aims to equip postgraduate students with a portfolio of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary to work within a range of community settings.

Four defined pathways have been developed:

  • District Nursing
  • General Practice Nursing
  • Learning Disability Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing

 

Why study this programme?

The overarching aim of the programme is to produce a competent, independent community practitioner working at postgraduate level, capable of promoting the development and delivery of community nursing practice across a variety of settings.

In addition to meeting the professional standards, this programme has been planned and developed in conjunction with stakeholders representing NHS trusts, and SPC nurses from district nursing, mental health, general practice nursing and community learning disability nursing. This has resulted in a contemporary and high quality programme whereby the integration of theory and practice is realised throughout.

 

Features

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

The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Practice Community programme can be studied on a full or part-time basis and is modular in structure. Students can either undertake studies over one academic year (full time) or over two academic years (part time). The programme must be completed within four years. Students are awarded the MSc Specialist Practice following the successful completion of a dissertation.

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 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 postgraduate 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 can be brought into the programme*

Examples of optional modules include:

  • Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing* (Core module for District Nursing students)
  • Interpersonal Skills*
  • Cognitive Behaviour Interventions*
  • Triage - Principles and Practice*
  • Clinical Skills for Minor Illness in the Community Setting*
  • Introduction to Psychosocial Interventions*
  • Health and Social Care Commissioning in Context
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups in Society
  • Work Based Project in Primary Care
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health
  • Health Inequalities in Primary Care
  • Tissue Viability in Context
  • Case Management for People with Long Term Conditions in Primary Care
Next: Assessment

The practice component is assessed in a community setting via a Practice-Learning Portfolio under the supervision of a qualified Mentor or 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 Practice Community pathways:

  • District Nursing
  • Learning Disability
  • Mental Health
  • General Practice Nursing
Next: Entry requirements

The admission criteria for student entry to the PGDip/MSc Specialist Practice Community programme are: 

  • 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 APCL/APEL)
  • A minimum of two years' post-registration experience*
  • Successful completion of a level 6 Mentorship module
  • Support from the sponsoring trust or organization

*Candidates who do not possess the full two years of experience in the specialist area may exceptionally be admitted to the programme using the following criteria, all of which must be met:

  • Support from sponsoring Trust or organisation
  • Evidence of practice in a closely related area of specialism
Beginning: Overview

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

    Irene Cooke, District Nursing Pathway Lead
    T:
    01244 511705
    i.cooke@chester.ac.uk

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