MSc Specialist Practice District Nursing

Course summary

• explore your chosen topic in-depth
• learn how to critically and creatively apply research methods
• develop your understanding of ethical and scientific practices
• present your findings to your professional community
• identify a pathway of learning that supports progression towards or within an advancing / specialist clinical role.

This dissertation course is a self-directed piece of work specific to your professional interests. Your findings will be used in the community to help improve district nursing practice.

On completion of the course, you’ll be prepared to shape and improve services for patients as part of a successful career in district nursing.

How you learn

You will manage most of your own workload, but will also be supported by a supervisor. You’ll set mutually agreed deadlines, arrange meetings and share your work with your supervisor to get the most out of your learning. You’ll be encouraged to create and set your own research goals, helping you to develop your knowledge of your subject area.

At the start of the course you submit a proposal outlining what you have chosen to study. Masters dissertation projects can be very diverse and can include

• research projects
• evaluation projects
• service development projects
• advanced professional practice projects
• theoretical or literature based projects

You learn through

• self-directed study
• supervised learning

Future careers

Graduates of this course have gone on to work as

• specialist practitioners (district nursing)
• community practitioners (nurse prescribers)

Accreditation

Successfully completing the course allows you to be on the NMC register as a
• specialist practitioner – district nursing
• community practitioner – nurse prescriber

To complete the course you typically need to have completed the PgDip in Specialist Practice District Nursing; to have the recordable NMC Specialist Practice District Nurse Qualification; to have relevant work experience; to have relevant workplace opportunities and organisational support; to have current registration on part 1 (Nursing) of the Nursing and Midwifery Councils (NMC) register; self-declaration of good health and character, as required by the NMC.