Specialist Practitioner Qualification (District Nursing) (PG Diploma entry) MSc

Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the course covers all the key areas of contemporary district nursing practice, from mental health across the lifespan and long-term conditions, to effective caseload management and selfcare.<br/><br/>This course is for qualified nurses with a postgraduate diploma in nursing. You will be sponsored by a health organisation or trust and achieve a master’s, while gaining advanced skills and knowledge in an area of community nursing you want to specialise in.<br/><br/>**Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?**<br/>Youll benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University and practice, in partnership with our NHS Trust partners. Our lecturers have a wide expertise in the field and also maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is up-to-date with modern practice.<br/><br/>We offer continuous support throughout the programme, and you will receive personal tutoring and benefit from a high level of research within the teaching team. Your personal tutor will help guide you through your studies, support you with your academic development and give advice when needed.<br/><br/>Highly regarded by students and practice partners for our teaching in this area, BNU has a strong reputation for its health visitor and school nurse training. You will work with highly skilled academics, who have worked in the community – and spend 50% of your time in practice yourself, consolidating and deepening your understanding and skills.<br/><br/>**What will I study?**<br/>This course covers all the areas needed to meet the NMC professional requirements for district nurses.<br/><br/>By the end of the course, you will be able to:<br/><br/><br/>- understand the complexities of working in a community setting<br/><br/><br/>- better appreciate strategic influences on policy<br/><br/><br/>- take a critical approach to nursing care in the community, with a strong emphasis on providing holistic, evidence-based care to patients in their homes<br/><br/><br/>- analyse how decisions about care are made, drawing on relevant research<br/><br/><br/>- work at the forefront of caring for patients with a range of healthcare needs.<br/><br/><br/>- Honing your critical thinking and leadership skills, you will learn to make better decisions, and be well equipped to lead large teams of nurses effectively in caring for patients in their own homes. You will also learn to take a more strategic view of community healthcare provision, drawing on the latest research, ideas and policy – as well as carrying out your own piece of research.<br/><br/><br/>**How will I be taught and assessed?**<br/>The course makes use of a range of flexible learning and assessment approaches, to ensure you learn in the way that suits you best. We will be looking, in particular, at how well you apply the theory to your own nursing and leadership practice.<br/><br/>You will benefit from strong support throughout, with personal and link tutors at the University, and a practice teacher supporting you to learn in your trust.<br/><br/>As well as spending half your time in practice, case study-type simulations will allow you to explore the kind of issues you will face as a district nurse. You will also work closely with students from other community nursing courses at BNU, building your experience of working in a multi-professional way.<br/><br/>**What are my career prospects?**<br/>As a graduate of this course, you will be well equipped to advance your career as a team leader in district nursing. Your specialist skills and knowledge will also be sought after in areas such as managing community services, other management roles and teaching.<br/><br/>Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders.