Specialist Practice Community

BSc (Hons) Single

The programme provides opportunities for the development of a critically informed understanding of contemporary issues in community and primary care and encourages an inter-professional approach to the study of Specialist Practice Community. 

Campus Chester
Course BSc (Hons) Single
Length 40 Weeks full time over one academic year or part time over two academic years. The programme must be completed in 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 is cognisant of the rapidly changing climate within the community and aims to equip undergraduate students with a range of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes to facilitate working in a variety of community settings.

Four distinct pathways have been developed:

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

 

Why study this course?

The overarching aim of the programme is to produce a competent, independent community practitioner working at graduate 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 BSc 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.  

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

 

The core modules for the programme are:

Credits
Public Health and Well Being in Context 15
 Public Health and Well Being in Action 15
Evidence Based Practice in Context
15
Leading Contemporary Practice
15
Specialist Practice
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.

Examples of optional modules include:

  • Community Practitioner Nurse Prescribing (Core module for District Nursing students)
  • Interprofessional Working with Children, Young People and Families
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups in Society
  • Long Term Conditions in Context
  • Tissue Viability in Primary Care
  • Cognitive Behavioural Approaches in Community Settings
  • Clinical Skills for Minor Illness in the Community Setting
  • Individual Work Based Learning (Single Module)
  • Interpersonal Skills
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
  • General Practice Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Learning Disability Nursing
Next: Entry requirements

Single Honours

 

UCAS:
 
GCE A Level: 
 
BTEC:   
 
Irish/Scottish:
 
International Baccalaureate:
 
QAA:
 
Extra Information:

The criteria for entry on to the programme will be registration on the appropriate part of the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register (NMC) for the chosen pathway. In addition, practitioners will have a minimum of one year's relevant post registration experience and support from a sponsoring trust.

Applicants must also meet the following academic requirements:

  • 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5 with evidence of continuing professional development
  • Successful completion of a mentorship module

*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 vidence 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