PgDip Specialist Community Nursing - Community Children’s Nursing/ Community District Nursing/General Practice Nursing (MSc)

This module will examine the epistemology of research, the principles of ethical research and a critical analysis of how it is used in practice. Key aspects of content will address data collection and analysis methods and concepts of validity, reliability, rigour and trustworthiness. It will also incorporate other forms of evidence including audit and service evaluation. The emphasis throughout this module will be on the use and relevance of research skills to practitioners seeking to assess, improve or evaluate services. The module will harness students existing personal and life skills and knowledge of care as a basis for developing learning that is relevant and focussed on their practice needs and stage of professional development.

This module is aimed at all registered and practicing nurses or midwives, and allied health and social care professionals.

This module evaluates and applies established theories and models relevant to decision making in the context of health and social care. These are drawn from a wide variety of disciplines including clinical reasoning, philosophy and ethics, legal frameworks, Service User involvement, Inter-professional and Values Based Decision Making. Throughout, students will develop their critical thinking skills, with an emphasis on applying their learning to decision making in the students’ own health and social care context.

The module will focus on a specific assessment with attendant, interventions, patient management, health advice and health promotion for patients presenting with minor illness. You will consider your approaches in caring for adults and/or children drawing on advanced communication skills and techniques. The course requires you to develop both knowledge and skills, with practical clinical skills being developed in a minor illness field.  

Learners are required to secure an appropriate clinical field of practice and have access to a supervisor or practice assessor. 

Induction Days for new starters is 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2023 - attendance is required.

The aims of the module are to:

• Develop a critical, in-depth and systematic understanding of effective leadership and management to encourage innovation in practice.
• Demonstrate creativity in the application of leadership and management skills appropriate to the practitioner’s role and context.

This level 7 module will equip practitioners the skills and knowledge required for service innovation within the context of a commissioning environment. Marketing strategies will be explored together with creative approaches to service planning and innovation to support the health and well-being of individuals.

Course Aims

Develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of an aspect of health care relevant to their area of practice.

Course Content

This module will provide students with the opportunity to develop their interest in an aspect of care or management that is relevant to their professional practice.

If you are undertaking the GPN Foundation course - please Apply Here

Induction Days for Semester B new starters will be 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2024- attendance is required.

The aim of the module is to develop a critical understanding and perspective in relation to the management of complex health needs both at the individual and population levels across a range of community care settings.

This module will enable practitioners to consider their role in relation to the assessment and promotion of health and well-being of patients and families with complex and challenging needs. Data relating to complex care at individual, local and population level will be evaluated.

Induction Days for new starters are 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2023 - attendance is required.

Course Aims
Demonstrate a critical and systematic understanding of the case management of patients' health care needs across primary and community settings.

Course Content

This module will enable practitioners working in the community and primary care settings to develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake the case management of individuals and families with a range of health needs. Approaches to successful integration of multi-agency and multi-professional working as part of a case management approach to care will be examined.

If you are undertaking the GPN Foundation course - please Apply Here

Induction Days for Semester B new starters will be 3rd, 4th and 5th January 2024- attendance is required.

Course Aims

Build on existing skills and knowledge to facilitate a critical approach to the delivery of nursing care in the primary care setting and enable the achievement of key competencies outlined by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Course Content

This module will enable students to develop a critical understanding of the nature and organisation of primary care services including key policies influencing practice in this setting. The role of the general practice nurse is examined including the professional responsibilities and accountability involved. The module also incorporates a number of skills-based study days; childhood immunisation, cervical sampling, wound care and travel health which will enable students’ competence in the core skills required for general practice nursing and a critical appreciation of the evidence-base underpinning their practice.

Through this module, students will develop a wide range of transferable skills relating to the advancement of teaching, learning and assessment in practice and academic settings. Students will be enabled to articulate their understanding of pedagogic research and educational theories and their application to practice−based learning. This module facilitates students to advance their understanding of personal and professional development needs and lead strategic educational developments in the practice arena. 

Induction Days for new starters is 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2023 - attendance is required.

The module aims is to develop an in-depth and systematic understanding of health and social care policies and guidance which influence the delivery of services within primary and community care.

This module involves an examination of contemporary health policies and guidance and their implications for the role and practice of nurses working within primary care and community settings.

Strategies for the identification and assessment of community health needs will be critically examined together with approaches to promoting health and well-being. Throughout students will be developing their skills of critical appraisal and synthesis as they seek to utilise existing data, both epidemiological and qualitative.

Induction Days for new starters is 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2023 - attendance is required.

Course Aims

Build on existing skills and knowledge to facilitate a critical and systematic approach to holistic assessment of patient and family health needs.

Course Content

This module will equip practitioners with the necessary skills and expertise to holistically assess and plan health and social care interventions that are evidence based and promote patient choice and independence.  Students will be encouraged to develop effective communication skills that support working in partnership with patients, families and carers.

Induction Days for new starters is 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th September 2023 - attendance is required.

Course Aims

Develop a systematic and critical understanding of the principles of research and the skills required to undertake an in-depth analysis of current research.

Course Content

This aim of this level 7 module is to examine the role of research in providing an evidence based for practice and the students' role as a user of research and as a researcher. The module will be concerned with the development of research skills including, accessing and reviewing the literature, awareness of the principles of research and approaches that may be adopted; and understanding of data collection techniques and frameworks for analysis; ethical issues and their implications for research.

Course Aims

Demonstrate the competencies outlined in the RPS (2016) Competency Framework for all Prescribers in order to practise safely as health visitors and school nurses prescribing from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for Community Practitioners.

Course content

This Level 7 Module is designed to enable nurses and midwives undertaking a specialist qualification in either community public health nursing or community nursing to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to demonstrate a critical, evidence-based approach to safe, appropriate and cost-effective practice as from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for Community Practitioners, working in partnership with patients, parents, carers and members of the multi-disciplinary prescribing team. Students will be facilitated in the review and analysis of systematic approaches to assessment and diagnosis, drug actions and the use of evidence based sources to inform prescribing practice, including the decision not to prescribe. The legal and professional frameworks underpinning prescribing practice will be evaluated to ensure governance of their prescribing practice and promote safe and accountable practice in team members.