The Public Health and Specialist Community Nursing (SCPHN/SPQ) programme prepares you to practise independently as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor or School Nurse) or Community Nurse Specialist (Community Nursing in Health and Social Care, Community Childrens Nurse, District Nurse or General Practice Nurse).

Course overview

The programme of study takes you through a specialist community public health or community nursing specialist trajectory which allows you to consider health attainment, promotion, and illness prevention in the context of local, regional, national and international public health, health and social care policy and practice.

You will learn about the latest theory and practice influencing service provision and critically evaluate approaches to developing and delivering effective services to enhance your role.

You will have the opportunity to develop your skills in:

• Critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis
• The integration of research and theory to practice
• Leadership
• Clinical risk assessment and risk management
• Developing / strengthening awareness of equality and diversity.

Teaching and assessment

During the programme both practice and theory will develop your learning. You will spend time in the practice setting working alongside a practice assessor and practice supervisor, where you will have protected learning time, alongside this you will be required to attend City St Georges, University of London, undertaking the theory-based modules on the programme.

During the programme you will be encouraged to analyse and apply theory in practice, and practice into theory in order to learn about the policy and practice of public health and specialist community nursing.

You will be given the opportunity to learn how to lead the interdisciplinary and interagency team in the delivery of evidenced based care, manage complex issues systematically and creatively, and demonstrate originality in problem solving.

This programme uses a blended learning approach. This approach combines the use of online educational materials, platforms and synchronous online sessions and in person-based teaching and learning methods.

The learning and teaching strategies will include formal lectures, seminars student-led seminars group projects simulated practice negotiated learning, online synchronous and asynchronous learning, self-directed and practice-based activities.