PgDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nursing

Key information

Course Leader: Theresa Titchener

Start date: September 2024

Mode of delivery: Blended

School: Health & Social Work

Entry Requirements

A UK degree, or other qualification at equivalent level, in a health-related subject.

· Current and active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration as a nurse (level 1) and / or registered midwife.

· You will need to have access to an appropriate specialist community practice placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor for the duration of your studies on the programme. This is normally provided through the sponsoring employer.

· Applicants must demonstrate safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved SCPHN programme before being considered eligible to apply for entry.

· Normally students are sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme, however, it is possible for self-funded/ non-NHS/ self-employed students to enrol on the programme providing they are able to locate and negotiate an appropriate specialist community public health practice placement with a designated practice supervisor and practice assessor whilst enrolled on the programme, with an appropriate service provider e.g., NHS Community Trust or equivalent.

· Non-NHS, self-employed or self-funding applications must complete a SCPHN honorary contract with their allocated NHS Trust in addition to the University online application and supporting admissions form.

· Successful interview with the sponsoring employer, conducted in collaboration with the University to demonstrate the student’s understanding of the role of the Health Visitor or School Nurse, the demands of the programme and academic level of study required.

· Successful applicants are subject to disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks and occupational health assessments.

Pg Dip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nursing

For September starters there will be induction on 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th September 2024

About this Course

The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) empowers NMC-registered nurses and midwives to take a strategic lead in advancing specialist community public health nursing. This programme fosters effective collaboration across various disciplines and agencies, all with the goal of enhancing the health and well-being of infants, children, families, groups, and communities.

The programme fulfils the education and professional Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nurses developed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (2022) and Standards for post-registration programmes (2022). The programme leads to a registrable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional recognition in specialist community public health nursing in either health visiting or school nursing.

Students can choose to undertake the programme either with or without integrated Nurse Independent / Supplementary Prescribing (V300). Independent Nurse prescribing is integrated into the programme and cannot be awarded as a separate qualification. Students can only undertake Nurse Independent / Supplementary Prescribing (V300) with the support of their funding organisation and must be confirmed with the admissions tutor prior to applying for the programme.

Health Visiting and School Nursing professionals play distinct roles in the community, and this programme is designed to support you in your specific path:

School Nurses are autonomous practitioners who champion the rights of school-aged children and young people. They collaborate across health, education, and other agencies as part of a broader public health service, advocating for optimal health for all school-aged children and young people.

Health Visitors use their professional autonomy to adapt and tailor their approaches to meet the diverse and evolving health and well-being needs of children, families, and communities, thereby positively influencing their future health outcomes.

Why Choose this Course

This programme will equip you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your chosen field, whether you’re aiming to be a dedicated school nurse or a dynamic health visitor.

During the PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme you will:

Evaluate the current organisational and professional agendas that influence care delivery in primary healthcare and community settings.
Study leadership and management skills so that when you graduate you will be able to provide effective leadership within a mixed skill team and multi-agency work setting as well as to work proactively in a commissioning environment.
Combine learning at the University with hands-on experience in a practice environment, with an equal allocation of practice and theory hours.

Programme Structure

To attain a PGDip award you need to complete 120 credits. To top-up to an MSc you will need to complete a further 60 credits (180 credits) for MSc Top Up apply here. There is an interim award available of a Postgraduate Certificate which can be awarded after completing 60 credits. There is no professional qualification associated with this award.

Teaching Methods

On the PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme, you will experience a diverse range of teaching styles designed to enhance your educational journey. This programme prioritises the development of your capacity for self-directed study and interpersonal skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for the demands of the field.

We place a strong emphasis on structured research, well-prepared written and verbal presentations, and computer literacy. Alongside traditional lectures, seminars, tutorials, and simulation of practice which allows learners to actively engage with realistic scenarios relevant to their field, enabling them to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts. You will engage in case studies, individual and group projects, and other student-centred activities.

The programme's assessment methods are varied and dynamic, including essays, presentations, reports, and posters. This multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your skills and knowledge, setting you up for success in your professional career.

Modules

Exploring the Development of Children and Young People
The aims of this module are to enable students to adopt a structured approach to exploring the developing child and young adult. It will deliver the knowledge and skills required to work competently with infants, children and young people to assess and meet their physical, social, and psychological health needs.
Leading Innovation in Community Healthcare
The aims of this module are to enable students to take the lead in the rapidly changing diverse health and public health landscape while cultivating a culture of compassion, unwavering commitment to human rights, and health equity in their leadership approach.

Students will acquire the essential skills and knowledge necessary to champion innovative solutions and implement influential policy changes in the field of children, young people and adults.

Furthermore, the module aims to encourage active community involvement, streamline project development, and nurture the creation of proficient teams that can maintain high quality standards and improve the results of population health initiatives. Additionally, the module strives to instil a strong dedication to data driven decision making and financial proficiency among public health nurses and specialist practice community nurses, all within the framework of sustainable innovation.
Nurturing Mental Health and Family Wellbeing
The aims of this module are to enable students to develop specialised knowledge and skills related to the emotional and mental well-being of children, young people and their families across diverse settings. It encompasses screening, assessment, prevention and intervention for prevalent emotional and mental health issues. Furthermore, students will develop proficiency in using research and evidence-based tools to enhance mental health and family well-being, all while critically assessing the influence of mental health policies on mitigating social isolation among demographic groups.
Population Health Across the Lifespan
This module sits within the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing Programme. The module is one of six modules developed to meet the NMC Standards for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (NMC 2022)

The module will enable the students to critically examine and develop awareness of the fundamental concepts of public health and health promotion. Students will acquire skills in assessing and analysing population data within their specific field of practice enabling them to identify health needs and formulate interventions for addressing current public health challenges.

The module will also consider the intricate interplay between the needs of the populations, the allocation of resources and the commissioning of services all within the framework of existing legislative guidelines demonstrating a commitment to human rights.

In addition, it will identify gaps in research, evidence, and policy that impact on public health nursing practice and influence how to address them.
Complex Contemporary Issues in Safeguarding Children
This module aims to equip specialist community public health nursing students with a comprehensive understanding of child safeguarding. This module emphasises adopting health and trauma-informed approaches to address the multifaceted aspects of child safeguarding. It strives to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding and nurturing children.

By delving deeper into this domain, students will gain the expertise needed to effectively respond to the intricate challenges of safeguarding children. Students will explore the legal frameworks, policies, and procedures that underpin child safeguarding, ensuring they are well-versed in the relevant laws and regulations.
V300 Nurse and Midwife Independent Prescribing
THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY

This Level 7 module is designed to enable nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes to demonstrate a critical, evidence−based approach to safe, appropriate and cost−effective practice as an independent/supplementary prescriber, in partnership with members of the multi−disciplinary prescribing team.

Students will be facilitated in the critical 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 analysed critically to ensure governance of their prescribing practice and promote safe and accountable practice in team members.

The module involves a blended learning approach incorporating the University's managed learning environment, StudyNet. Inter−professional learning occurs with prescribing students from the allied health professions and pharmacist prescribing students.

Prerequisites

A UK degree, or other qualification at equivalent level, in a health-related subject.

· Current and active Nursing and Midwifery Council registration as a nurse (level 1) and / or registered midwife.

· Applicants must demonstrate safe and effective practice at the level of proficiency appropriate to the NMC-approved SCPHN programme before being considered eligible to apply for entry.

· Successful applicants are subject to disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks and occupational health assessments.

Course Leader

Theresa Titchener

Start date

September 2024

Mode of delivery

Blended

Faculty

Health & Social Work

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