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Community Nursing Specialist Practice (District Nursing)

PGDip

Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026

Full time: 1 year (45 scheduled weeks)

Part time: 2 years (90 scheduled weeks)

Location: Headington

School(s): Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

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Overview

Our PG Dip in Community Nursing Specialist Practitioner (District Nurse) programme facilitates the development and progression of experienced registered nurses within the context of the community setting. The programme explores fundamental community nursing practice in relation to the role of the contemporary district nurse to support the development of a resilient and competent practitioner and leader. This programme incorporates the independent prescribing module.

On successful completion of the programme students are eligible to apply to the NMC to have their NMC record annotated for:

  • Community Nursing Specialist Practitioner (District Nurse)
  • Independent Prescriber (V300)

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District Nursing student providing care to elderly patient on placement at Oxford Brookes University

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Blended learning

    Students will attend a combination of in person seminars at the Headington/ Marston campuses and online seminars and simulation based education.

  • Integration of Theory and Practice

    Students have protected learning time in clinical practice throughout their programme and are supported to integrate the theory to practice in each module in a meaningful way such as developing a service improvement plan.

  • Experienced Tutors

    Academic staff have extensive experience of NHS and general management at both senior and director level.

  • Strong Research Profile

    Our research staff collaborate with researchers from across Oxford Brookes University and from the Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, amongst others.

  • Great Career Prospects

    The programme has been designed to prepare students for employment and career progression in a Community Nursing Specialist Practitioner role.

  • Accreditation(s)

    The PG Diploma in Community Nursing Specialist Practice (District Nursing) programme was approved by the NMC in May 2024.

    • Nursing and Midwifery Council

Course details

Course structure

The PG Dip in Community Nursing Specialist Practice (District Nursing) consists of 5 modules: three core District Nursing modules with the themes of clinical care, leadership, evidence based learning and education, and two multi-professional advanced practice modules which are Advanced History Taking and Independent Prescribing.

The module delivery is blended, you will attend a combination of in person seminars at the Headington campus and online seminars. In addition to seminars, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in simulation based education sessions for all modules e.g. skills development and practice within the advanced history taking module.

You will have protected learning time, please see the module section below for more details.

Male nurse providing care in the home

Learning and teaching

Each module has an appropriate division between structured and/or blended learning activities, and private study. You will have opportunities to share existing knowledge and experience, and develop new knowledge and skills. In order to optimise your contribution, from the range of knowledge, skills, and experience within the group, a variety of teaching and learning strategies will be employed. You will learn through the following activities:

  • Seminars
  • Group discussions
  • Simulation based education
  • Skills practice
  • Online learning
  • Academic skills masterclasses

You will use self-reflection, the integration of theory and practice and interprofessional collaboration as part of your studies. You will:

  • experience a lively, challenging and supportive learning atmosphere
  • share your learning with peers and colleagues
  • consider how you can contribute to the development of others.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a variety of methods:

  • written assignments
  • practice portfolio
  • examinations.

Your practice knowledge and skills will also be assessed. This allows you to demonstrate your ability to develop and critically reflect on practice in line with current professional standards.

Your community practice teacher will assess your competence in practice.

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

  • Foundations of Community Nursing Specialist Practice District Nursing 1

    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.

  • Foundations of Community Nursing Specialist Practice District Nursing 2

    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.

  • Nurse or Midwife Independent / Supplementary Prescribing (V300)

    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.

  • Foundations of Community Nursing Specialist Practice District Nursing 3

    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.

  • Advanced History Taking and Assessment

    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.

Placement

Compulsory modules

  • Placement

    There will be an expectation that the course will consist of 45 weeks of structured learning in the 52 week programme (or 90 weeks - 104 weeks part time). This will comprise of 50% theory and 50% practice based experience. The student will be able to chose 5 days alternative practice placement experience in an alternative Health Visiting or School Nurse setting. 

    In addition, the student will gain 10 days in alternative practice settings (public health days)  which will be aligned to the public health nurse role in building a wider picture of community practice.

Protected Learning Time

Compulsory modules

  • Protected Learning Time

    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 

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

We have a strong research profile. Our experienced researchers work in the following areas:

  • cancer care
  • children and families
  • drugs and alcohol
  • physical rehabilitation and enablement
  • interprofessional education and collaborative practice.

Our researchers have won external research and consultancy contracts including grants, fellowships and studentships for NHS staff.

Our research staff collaborate with researchers from across Oxford Brookes University and from the Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, amongst others.

Academic staff have extensive experience of NHS and general management at both senior and director level.

They also have a significant record of research and publications on the topics of management and leadership.

Student researching on a laptop

Careers

By completing this programme of study, you will be well-prepared to function in a Community Nursing Specialist Practitioner (District Nurse) role and to achieve career progression. The programme has been designed to prepare you for employment and career development e.g. the focus on leadership throughout the programme. Previous District Nurse students have gained employment as District Nurse Team Leaders, Clinical Development Leads and within education. Several former District Nurse students have achieved the Queen's Nurse title.

Entry requirements

This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.

How to apply

Application process

Oxford Brookes University works in partnership with a number of NHS Trusts including: Oxford Health Foundation NHS Trust, South Warwickshire NHS Trust and Berkshire NHS Trust. Please ensure that you have been offered a place in an NHS Trust before applying to Oxford Brookes University.


Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
NHS funded (see further below)
Home (UK) part time
NHS funded (see further below)
Home (UK) full time
NHS funded (see further below)
Home (UK) part time
NHS funded (see further below)

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
NHS funded (see further below)
Home (UK) part time
NHS funded (see further below)
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
NHS funded (see further below)
Home (UK) part time
NHS funded (see further below)

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Financial support and scholarships

Funding is secured via application to an NHS Trust for a student post for the 52 week course (Student School Nurse or Student Health Visitor); this will involve an application to NHS jobs for the student vacancy followed by a joint interview with a community NHS Trust and the University. A values based recruitment strategy is used for all aspects of selection. please ensure that you are familiar with NHS Constitution values for professionals.

You should not apply for this course at Oxford Brookes until funding has been secured with an NHS Trust and you have a conditional offer in writing from an NHS Trust to commence the course.

For more information please contact the Programme Administrator.

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Travel expenses will be incurred (only travel within the practice placement will be reimbursed).

Core texts are available in the university library, there are no essential purchases of books required.

Online submission of assessments eliminate printing costs for all modules.

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.