PgDip, MSc Specialist Community Nursing - District Nursing Pathway

Course summaryCare and support of people is increasingly being delivered in the community, in peoples homes, and settings close to their homes and therefore the role of the District Nurse is changing and expanding (NMC, 2022).District Nurses are advanced autonomous practitioners who manage a wide range of complex conditions, which requires not only advanced clinical skills, but also the management of risk skills, case load management and care coordination to ensure that people are cared for in their place of choice, reducing hospital admissions and improving quality of life, whilst also providing education to staff, patients, families and carers (QNI, 2023).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 your specialised area of practice, through the delivery of a coherent programme of study. The award options will have a contemporary focus and initially serve to meet the NMC Standards for proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications (NMC, 2022) for those aspiring to work within the field of District Nursing The programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes.The purpose of the programme is to enable nurses who hold a first level nursing registration with the NMC and can demonstrate success at degree level study, to complete a Masters' level qualification in Specialist Community Nursing to prepare them for a role of District Nurse.It will enable you to gain 120 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Community Nursing (District Nursing). You can, at a later stage, complete your full Masters' award by undertaking a 60-credit advanced project module or dissertation module.Your careerThe 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 District 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 meets the NMC (2022) Standards for Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications, and will enable you to become a well rounded specialist practitioner, capable of making positive and valued contributions in the field of District Nursing. This will be achieved through building upon the theoretical and clinical basis of your specialised area of practice, through the delivery of a coherent programme of study. The award options will have a contemporary focus and initially serve to meet the NMC Standards for proficiency for community nursing specialist practice qualifications (NMC, 2022) for those aspiring to work within the field of District Nursing.