This programme aims to prepare you to use your discretion and judgement to make high-level clinical decisions in the leadership and provision of quality care. Focusing on the co-ordination and provision of holistic approaches to healthcare, it offers you the opportunity to positively influence healthcare delivery in the community, and influence your own development needs.

Course Details

If you want the chance to make a difference in community healthcare, apply for the University of Bolton’s Postgraduate Diploma in Community Specialist Practice (District Nursing). Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and developed in line with the NMC’s Standards of Specialist Education and Practice and the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI/QNIS) Voluntary Standards for District Nurse Education and Practice, this course aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to develop and influence community nursing services.

Working in a multidisciplinary team, you’ll be supported to complete core content that covers the topics of public health, innovation in healthcare management and leadership, critical evaluation for evidence-based practice, the principles of district nursing and non-medical prescribing (V100), as well as take on an elective module that you’ll select in conjunction with your employer.

Course Highlights:

• Designed to promote flexibility, this course has also been developed to respond to policy developments and the demands of the changing healthcare climate.
• Our teaching staff have many years of experience in the NHS and in a variety of settings.
• You’ll have access to our 24/7 virtual learning environment, WiFi across campus and both group and one-to-one support.
• You’ll have the opportunity to study in our innovative health teaching and research facility, Bolton One.
• On successful completion of this course you will be awarded a PgDip in Community Specialist Practice (District Nursing).

Career Opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to develop skills of critical reflection and learn to adopt a rigorous approach to planning and evaluation of care and care programmes, as well as employing a range of clinical, educational and public health interventions in a skilled and sensitive manner. You’ll also be supported to undertake care and programme management and provide leadership within appropriate team situations. In addition you’ll be encouraged to examine factors that promote or inhibit effective collaborative working.

Furthermore, you’ll be guided to display the values required in modern healthcare, such as compassion, advocacy, good communication and teamwork skills, and respect for patients’ privacy, dignity and individuality.

What Can I Do With This Qualification?

This course provides training for community specialist practitioners in district nursing. On successful completion of the PgDip, you’ll have your name recorded on part 1 of the NMC's professional register as a Specialist Practitioner (DN) and a nurse prescriber within the context of district nursing. Opportunities arising from this qualification include professional posts in community health care settings and supporting the management of out of hospital care.

After qualifying and gaining some experience, there are a variety of routes you could take as the next step in your career.