PGDip Community Nursing Specialist Practice (District Nursing)

In this module you will have the opportunity to explore the contemporary role of the community nursing specialist practitioner (district nurse). You'll consider what it means to be an accountable, autonomous professional and partner in care. There will be a focus on assessing people’s abilities and needs, and planning person centred care together with providing and evaluating evidence based care. There's a strong practice focus to the module and contemporary issues, challenges and barriers faced will be considered as well as looking towards opportunities for developing future practice. An emphasis is placed on reflective practice throughout and in developing skills in critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis that can be applied in both academic and clinical practice.

This module focuses on the role of the CNSPQ (DN) in promoting health and well being and preventing ill health as well as their role in care coordination. The social, cultural, environmental, technological, economic and political factors which influence health will be explored and you will investigate the health needs of their local population using local and national data and consider initiatives to address the need. You will critically evaluate how effective delivery of appropriate health care can be carried out within a primary care context - working in partnership with patients, their families and carers and colleagues within multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams to bring about improvements in health.

The Independent/Supplementary Prescribing (V300) blended learning course provides a programme of preparation for NMC registered nurses (adult, mental health, learning disability and children’s); midwives; and specialist community public health nurses. You will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required in order to practice as a safe, effective and competent, independent and supplementary prescriber, who is able to provide a high professional standard of care and be accountable for that care. [Here is more information about the Independent module.](~/courses/cpd/independent-and-supplementary-prescribing)

You will focus on leadership, particularly in relation to leading, supporting and managing teams. You will also learn about leading improvements in safety and quality of care and care coordination and systems leadership. You will have the opportunity to identify an area for improvement within your clinical practice area and develop an improvement plan for this initiative. There is a strong practice focus to this module and you will be encouraged to integrate your theoretical knowledge around leadership into practice as well as consolidating your skills and knowledge from throughout your programme as you work towards completing your CNSPQ (DN) proficiencies in the practice setting and preparing to graduate.

This practice-based module enables you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to take a comprehensive patient history and complete a thorough physical and psychosocial assessment. It will enhance your assessment skills and your ability to accurately describe the patient/client's history and examination findings, using appropriate terminology. You will learn how to report deviations from normal in a succinct manner to colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.

Note: If you only wish to take this as a standalone module (rather than as part of a long award such as an MSc), then you can apply to be a postgraduate associate student. Contact the Programme Administrator on aphls@brookes.ac.uk / 01865 48 8157 for further details and a link to the online application portal.

You will have protected learning time within your clinical area, supported by a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor. You will have opportunities to develop your proficiencies both within your practice area and the wider multi professional team across the NHS Trust and other relevant organisations. Examples can be:

• Induction into the practice area
• Practising and consolidating skills and knowledge developed within the modules
• Attending relevant meetings, shadowing staff, training sessions.
• Working with a multi disciplinary team and other relevant organisations e.g. social care and health.
• Visiting local support groups and community groups e.g. carers group.
• Public health visits where the focus is on developing understanding of preventative health
• Assessed practice working with the Practice Assessor
• Prescribing hours as part of the Prescribing module
• Five days alternative practice experience relevant to the CNSPQ (DN) role in a different organisation