About this course
LJMU's Specialist Community Practitioner (District Nursing) course combines theory and primary care practice, preparing practitioners to lead service development.
- Study for a District Nursing qualification, recorded with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- Follow a curriculum developed by a team of nationwide policy influencers
- Learn from expert nurses and visiting specialists
- Have your professional competencies, as set out by the NMC, assessed in theory and practice
- Benefit from practice placements with an NMC-approved practice teacher
- This course will only run subject to minimum numbers
- Apply via NHS Jobs
The course's student-centred approach values prior learning and experience and builds on existing clinical and theoretical knowledge.
You will be encouraged to share your past experiences as you network within your peer group and beyond.
Many sessions are co-taught with other community nursing programmes enabling you to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the roles played by, and the challenges faced by, other healthcare specialists.
You can study full-time or part-time. Modules are delivered one or two days a week and clinical placements intersperse the classroom learning blocks. Theory days can be used for activities such as complementary module-related sessions, masterclasses, personal study and assignment preparation.
You will be appointed a Personal Tutor to support and oversee your progress throughout the course and you will work with an experienced Practitioner on work placements. Formal teaching takes place in Tithebarn Street in the city centre campus. This vibrant location offers everything you could possibly need during your studies. The resident Avril Robarts library has computer rooms, learning spaces and on site catering facilities.
Formal teaching takes place in Tithebarn Street in the city centre campus. This vibrant location offers everything you could possibly need during your studies. The resident Avril Robarts library has computer rooms, learning spaces and on site catering facilities.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
You will study a mix of core and optional modules on your course to a total of 120 credits. 100 credits come from mandatory core modules and then you have a choice to select one 20 credit optional module from those available.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Leadership for Specialist Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take a central role in the development of practice within your working environment.
It will also provide an opportunity for you to engage in debate and discussion, so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader within your organisation.
You will further consider how you can influence and inspire others at both a local, regional, national and international level.
Contemporary Issues in District Nursing: Part 1
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to develop a critical awareness of the knowledge fundamental to the contemporary role of district nurse.
Clinical Examination and Diagnostics for District Nursing
20 credits
20 credits
During this module, you will gain the skills and knowledge required to perform clinical assessments of patients in the community setting. It will also help you develop skills in interpreting relevant diagnostic tests which may inform treatment plans, treatment modification or a suitable referral.
Research for Specialist Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides an overview and understanding of a broad range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their application in the clinical and social care environment. It enables you to read, understand and critically analyse clinical and social care research literature. You will:
- examine a variety of research methods, used within the sphere of health and social care practice and development
- develop skills in critical evaluation of literature available within the field of health and social care development and clinical management
Optional Modules
Independent and Supplementary Prescribing
20 credits
20 credits
Aimed at healthcare professionals, this module allows you to prescribe, safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as independent and/or supplementary prescribers, in accordance with both legal and the professional requirements of relevant professional bodies (NMC, HPC, RPSGB). It:
- gives you knowledge to address the specialist educational needs of nurses, pharmacists and allied health professionals working within specialist areas and with specific client groups
- prepares you to exercise advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and creative problem solving with regard to the unique challenges associated with medicines management among infants, children and young people, the elderly and other specific client groups
*Please Note: Students who wish to undertake V300 Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP), as part of the PgDip Specialist Community Practitioner Children's Nursing programme, must have at least one year post registration experience. Students wishing to undertake this module must also be deemed competent by, and obtain permission and support from their employer. All students who wish to undertake V300 Non-Medical Prescribing will have to complete an additional 'North West Non-Medical Prescribing Application form' which will be approved by the prescribing programme team prior to commencement on the NMP programme.
Contemporary Issues in District Nursing: Part 2 with V100
20 credits
20 credits
This module will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills to become an effective leader who can manage the care of individuals and groups within the primary care setting.
Contemporary Issues in District Nursing: Part 2 without V100
20 credits
20 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to critically review knowledge relating to the development of specialist district nursing practice. The knowledge and skills gained will help you to become an effective leader who can manage the care of individuals and groups within the community setting.
Students who do not already hold a V150/300 qualification will register on the Contemporary Issues in District Nursing: Part 2 with V100 module.
Negotiated Work Base Learning for Specialist Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module will help you to maximise learning opportunities and experiences relevant to your own area of work in order to facilitate practice, career and professional development.
Along with your practice teacher/mentor and the module leader, you will identify the area of study as part of personal development planning to meet the standards for community specialist practice (NMC 2001) and the voluntary standards for District Nursing (QNI 2016), where appropriate. There will be a focus on practice development for service delivery.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
You can study full-time (40 weeks) or part-time (80 weeks). Modules are delivered one or two days a week and clinical placements intersperse the classroom learning blocks. Theory days can be used for activities such as complementary module-related sessions, masterclasses, personal study and assignment preparation.
Teaching methods
At this level of study you are expected to work independently and much of the learning is self-guided. Lectures, workshops, seminars and reading lists provide a framework around which you can think, discuss, debate and produce your assessments.
Formal lectures introduce concepts whilst tutorials and workshops offer the opportunity for deeper investigation. You will then be invited to present a paper at a group seminar which will be used as a starting point for peer group debate.
To support your independent study, course materials, presentations and handouts are available on the University's virtual learning environment. Practice is at the heart of the curriculum and all course modules build the foundations for this practice.
During your placements you will work with a Practice Teacher and will need to demonstrate what you have learnt through the Practice Evidence Tool.
You will be appointed a Personal Tutor to support and oversee your progress throughout the course and you will work with an experienced Practitioner on work placements.
Applied learning
This is a very practical course featuring 20 weeks of practice placements.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Joanna Lavery
Programme Leader
I enjoy supporting others to advance their clinical skills to realise their full potential.
I enjoy supporting others to advance their clinical skills to realise their full potential.
Joanna has been in post at LJMU since November 2019.She qualified as a registered nurse from LJMU in 1999 and has been fortunate enough to work in a number of areas including neurology, neurosurgery, and critical care. After a period working in Australia, she returned to Liverpool and gained her SCPDN qualification, moving into a community role as a district nurse. She held posts as a district nurse care manager and community matron, becoming involved in advanced practice and service development. She made the leap back into secondary care working as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in acute medicine and ambulatory emergency care.Joanna has since transitioned into higher education and is commencing her PhD in Cardiorenal and Metabolic Syndrome. She has a varied range of research interests including patient care, evidence-based practice, and the experiences of others within healthcare.
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Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
Based in the City Campus, the School of Nursing and Allied Health works with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes. In addition to specialist facilities, you will find high quality meeting and seminar rooms and lecture theatres, the Avril Robarts Library, plus a large cafe, IT facilities and social spaces.
LJMU's excellent educational and professional training facilities include 1.6 million practice suites which show a patient's journey from the home environment through to rehabilitation. We use the latest clinical equipment for simulations and developing clinical skills in child, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery. We also have purpose-built, soundproof booths with video camera and playback facilities.
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
This District Nursing programme is specifically designed to balance academic content with practical experience. It is geared towards securing motivating and rewarding employment. Underpinning all aspects of the training offered is a commitment to: ethical and anti-oppressive values, the values and principles of the NHS Constitution and Professional Body requirements.
As a graduate you may go on to lead and develop future services, or work as an operational manager.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Professional accreditation/links
LJMU's PgDip Specialist Community Practitioner District Nursing is recorded with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Fees and funding
Funding
There are two routes for funding for this course:
- Sponsorship (when a local NHS trust or organisation will sponsor you to train for the duration of the programme at LJMU)
- Secondment (for those currently employed by a local NHS organisation that will provide the practice placement whilst studying at LJMU).
Employer sponsorship
Some organisations and companies fund the cost of postgraduate studies for their employees as they recognise the value of having well qualified staff. Check out our courses and see if there are any on offer that could enhance your current career. Remember, employer support doesn't always have to be financial; it can take other forms too, such as flexible working arrangements, day release and time in lieu of study.
Funding sources
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From Postgraduate Masters Loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- 120 credits at Level 5 (to study at Level 6) or 120 credits at Level 6 (to study at postgraduate level) in nursing
NVQ
- 120 credits at Level 5 (to study at Level 6) or 120 credits at Level 6 (to study at postgraduate level) in nursing
Additional requirements
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Relevant work experience
- to be practising as an Adult nurse
- current level one registration on the NMC professional register (part one)
- a minimum of one year’s post-registration experience
Further information
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Extra Requirements
- non-graduates may, in exceptional circumstances, gain entry to the programme by virtue of a strong portfolio, which provides evidence of significant achievement, plus a DipHE in a related area (eg nursing or public health) and written work equivalent to the standard of a first degree
- confirmation of satisfactory references and DBS check are also required
- Students who wish to undertake V300 Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) as part of the PgDip Specialist Community Practitioner Community Children's Nursing Programme must have at least one years’ post registration experience. Students wishing to undertake this module must also be deemed competent by, and obtain permission and support from their employer.
- students must be seconded or sponsored by an NHS Organisation
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RPL
- RPL is accepted on this programme
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the programme directly with a supporting NHS Trust via NHS jobs. You should complete the form thoroughly and provide a detailed personal statement which reflects your suitability and aptitude for the programme.
A supporting statement should be provided as part of the application and it must demonstrate:
- A sound knowledge of health policy relating to the role you have applied for (150 words)
- Understanding of the role of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse or Specialist Community Practitioner (200 words)
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills (150 words)
- Leadership potential (150 words)
- A track record of professional values, behaviour and teamwork (150 words)
- Computer literacy skills (50 words)
- Appreciation and application of research and evidence-based professional practice (150 words)
Your statement should also demonstrate the following:
- Professional values and behaviour
- Reliability, innovation and flexibility
- The ability to learn and work hard under pressure
- Self-awareness
- Provision of an academic and professional reference
- Access to transport
Please note: all of the above will also be assessed at interview.
Additional interview requirements
You will need to present an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Practice or Specialist Community Public Health Nursing and an understanding of the role you are applying for (District Nurse, Community Children' Nurse, Health Visitor or School Nurse).
The portfolio should include relevant, reflective diaries. You must also demonstrate that you will be able to adapt to student status.
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The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.