Community Specialist Practice

MSc Community Specialist Practice
(District Nursing, General Practice Nursing, Children’s Community Nursing)

The MSc Community Specialist Practice is made up of theory and practice-based learning. It allows you to enhance your professional skills to a specialist level in one of the three routes – district nursing, general practice nursing or children’s community nursing. The design of the programme is in keeping with the statutory requirements set down by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It is grounded in community nursing practice in the areas indicated.

Special features

• Successfully complete the postgraduate diploma and you can record a Community Specialist Practice qualification with the NMC as a district nurse, general practice nurse or children’s community nurse.
• Successfully complete the Community Nurse Prescribing (V100) programme and you’ll also be able to record this qualification with the NMC.
• The degree prepares you for practice through learning and assessment in the practice context.
• You are able to submit assessments in Welsh or English.
• If you wish, you can return to complete a dissertation on a part time basis and gain the masters degree following a period of consolidation of practice - normally one year.

Career opportunities

Complete the programme and you’ll be able to assess and manage risk. You’ll also have the confidence to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations by using your initiative and taking on personal responsibility.

Complete the postgraduate diploma and you can record the qualifications of district nurse, general practice nurse or community children’s nurse and of community nurse prescribing with the NMC. If you choose to carry on studying at masters level, you’ll be able to go on to undertake doctoral level study. The masters level programme will enhance your research expertise and develop your skills in evaluation and originality in thinking.

Course content

• Process of Enquiry
• Leadership and Professional Issues
• Health Promotion and Education
• Community Nurse Prescribing (Level 6)
• Continuing Professional Development (Portfolio) Module (Level 6)

Route specific modules

District Nursing route

• Chronic Disease Management
• Palliative Care

General Practice Nursing route

• Minor Illness
• Management of Coronary Heart Disease in the Community
  or
• Chronic Disease Management

Children’s Community Nursing route

• Working with Families
• Management of Sick Children within the Community

Assessment

Written assignments, reflections and short examinations, and a portfolio which assesses competence in practice.

Entry requirements

You’ll need an honours degree in nursing or a cognate discipline; to be employed in a community nursing role (i.e. district nursing, general practice nursing or community children’s nursing) or be able to secure a placement equivalent to the above; to have a minimum of 2 years’ post-registration nursing experience and to meet the professional requirements for your chosen route.

These are:

For the district nursing route: to be registered on Part 1 of the UK NMC Register (equivalent to Parts 1 or 12 of the UKCC Register).

For the general practice nursing route: to be registered on Part 1 of the UK NMC Register (equivalent to Parts 1, 8, 12 or 15 of the UKCC Register).

For the children’s community nursing route: to be registered on Part 1 of the UK NMC Register (equivalent to Parts 8 or 15 of the UKCC Register).

Please refer also to information about the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Course length

Full time: 1 year
Part time: 2-3 years