PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

Overview of the programme

This programme of study is made up of theory and practice based learning, and is grounded in public health practice. This allows registered nurses and midwives to enhance their professional skills to a specialist level in one of the two routes offered.

Successful completion of the course enables you to register on Part III of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register ad practice as a specialist community public health nurse. The course also includes the Community Nurse Prescribing (V100) programme (integrated in the Specialist Practice modules), which you will be able to record with the NMC.

This 52 week full-time (or part-time equivalent) programme comprises 22.5 weeks of theoretical study and 22.5 weeks of learning in a practice setting, under the supervision of a practice teacher and specialist mentor. The full-time route comprises of two days of attendance at Wrexham Glyndwr University, two days in practice and one study day per week during term time. The course is also available as a part-time modular route. The course is funded by the Welsh Government, and entry onto the programme is through joint application and interview by the sponsoring NHS Trust and Wrexham Glyndwr University.

KEY COURSE FEATURES

• Successful completion of the programme enables you to register on Part III of the NMC register and practice as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse.
• The course includes the Community Nurse Prescribing (V100) programme (integrated in the Specialist Practice modules), which you will be able to record with the NMC.
• The degree prepares you for practice through learning and assessment in the practice context.
• Students who follow the postgraduate routes may have the opportunity to return to complete a masters degree on a part-time basis if they leave with a postgraduate certificate. Also, if they complete a dissertation on a part-time basis they will also achieve the masters degree. This will develop your skills of evaluation, originality in thinking and research, so if you decide to study through to masters level you would also be able to go on to undertake doctoral level study.
• The modular route allows part-time students to complete modules with full-time students as and when they can join the programme.

ASSESSMENT & TEACHING

Assessment is via written assignments, reflections, short exams, presentations and a portfolio which assesses competence in practice.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Health Visiting is a diverse, satisfying and challenging role that involves bonding with families over time. It suits nurses and midwives with an interest in health promotion, public health and working in the community.

Health visitors are best placed to help families and young children. In fact, a growing body of evidence underlines the importance of the role in the first few years of a person's life and in recognition of these facts the Welsh Government have currently increased the recruitment numbers for Health Visitor training. The English Government have also increased recruitment of health visitors and therefore employment prospects with NHS Employers are good.

Those wishing to access this programme must hold current registration as a Nurse or Midwife, hold a diploma or degree in Nursing or Midwifery or a cognate discipline, there is a requirement to have access to a vehicle when in placement. Before you are offered a place on this course you will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance (previously known as CRB), and pay the appropriate fee, so that a check can be made on your suitability for working with children and vulnerable adults.