PG Dip Specialist Practitioner: District Nursing
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- City
About this course
Study at LJMU to complete a Specialist Practice Qualification in District Nursing with Integrated Supplementary and Non-Medical Prescribing (V300). This programme leads to recordable NMC qualifications in Specialist Practice and Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing.
The course will develop autonomous specialist practitioners who will be prepared to address the unique challenges of practice (beyond those of professional registration).
- Study for a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recordable qualification in District Nursing
- Learn from expert nurses and specialists on this contemporary course
- Benefit from a curriculum praised by the NMC for its enhanced practice perspective and outstanding fitness for practice
- Have your professional competencies (NMC, 2022) assessed in theory and practice
- Experience practice placement
- Foster critical thinking, analytical skills and reflective practice to acquire lifelong learning skills.
- Develop the skills, expertise, and attributes to become inspirational role models and mentor for other practitioners seeking to achieve higher levels of competency in specialist community practice.
The key principles covered in the course include:
- Advanced communication and clinical skills
- Meeting the needs of culturally diverse communities
- Effective collaboration with stakeholders
- Advocating the rights and needs of vulnerable populations
- Recognising public health needs
- Addressing inequalities and compassionate leadership
These principles are underpinned by the seven platforms of specialist practice (NMC, 2022) and enable district nurses to make autonomous decisions, in situations that require them to manage greater clinical complexity and risk, both in terms of the people they care for, the caseloads they manage and the services they work within, which in turn may be integrated with other agencies, professionals and disciplines.
Academic research and theoretical perspectives contribute to the generation of innovative practice development and the extension of professional roles. This programme is therefore designed to create critically reflective and responsive practitioners who will synthesise new knowledge to develop practice within the dynamic political context of health and social care. Practitioners will be prepared for future leadership roles in multi-professional, multi-agency teams who will work in increasingly complex environments.
Specialist practitioner students are aspiring to the role of a specialist practitioner community district nurse who is required to undertake additional education to ensure safe and effective practice within complex and sensitive settings whilst working with individuals, families, and communities. It is their personal and professional responsibility to do so and the course facilitates this within legal, ethical and competency frameworks related to practice. Valuing and challenging previous experiences prepares students to exercise higher levels of clinical autonomy within a framework of patient-led partnerships to meet the diverse needs of individuals families and communities.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
You will study core modules on your programme to a total of 120 credits.
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
Advancing Public Health, Evidence based Practice and Application
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work as a public health practitioner in the community setting within your field of practice.
It introduces the discipline of public health and the use of evidence to improve services. You will also learn how public policy can influence health needs and service development. The wider determinants of health and health inequalities will be examined in detail. Principles and concepts of health promotion will also be covered.
Clinical Assessment and Decision Making
20 credits
20 credits
Module content will include:
- History taking and holistic assessment of physical and mental health,
- Advanced communication skills,
- Pathophysiology,
- Physical examination,
- Interpretation of routine diagnostic investigations
- Clinical decision making incorporating therapeutic interventions.
- Safe, high quality and evidence based patient-centred care
- Typical and complex patient presentations
- Clinical judgement, risk and referrals
- Differential diagnosis
- Therapeutic and person-centred approaches
Advancing Leadership and Management
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.
Advancing Specialist Practice Qualification; District Nursing.
40 credits
40 credits
To help the student to maximise learning opportunities and experiences within their practice field. There is a necessity for the learner to be exposed to wider, complex issues within the community and how to strategically plan for care delivery.
Optional Modules
Negotiated work-based learning
20 credits
20 credits
To enable SPQ students to maximise learning opportunities and experiences relevant to their own area of work in order to facilitate practice, career and professional development
Independent and Supplementary Prescribing
20 credits
20 credits
Aimed at healthcare professionals registered with the HCPC & NMC, this module enables you to prescribe, safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as independent and/or supplementary prescribers, in accordance with both legal and professional requirements.
The module will prepare you to:
- complete an assessment of a patient/client/service users whilst developing a management plan in relation to their diagnosis/differential diagnosis.
- complete an episode of care through prescribing or deprescribing safety
All students who wish to undertake Independent & Supplementary Prescribing also known as 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 independent and supplementary prescribing programme.
Professional accreditation/links
The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
www.nmc.org.uk/Approved-Programmes
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
The timetable comprises 40% theory and 60% practice.
Module teaching is on two, and, very occasionally, three specified days of the week. The university day usually runs from 9.30am to 4pm and some sessions can be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Practice days are planned for most weeks throughout the course timetable.
This approach has been developed in partnership with students, practice assessors, NHS mangers and service users. It aims to support students to balance their practice and academic work. Practice day shift patterns vary by placement area, but generally attendance is required 9am-5pm.
Teaching methods
An important element of the programme is to recognise and utilise the current skills of the students and to build on these competencies. Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences and to network both within their peer group and externally. The teaching and learning activities will build on student experiences and will facilitate and encourage further development of existing theoretical and professional knowledge.
The use of interactive lectures and seminars, group work and problem based learning techniques help identify existing skills and, at the same time, encourage students to develop and tailor their portfolio of competencies to meet present and future challenges.
Many of the sessions are shared between the different routes of the community programmes and with other disciplines. Group discussions and workshops provide an ideal opportunity for students to gain knowledge about other specialist roles.
Applied learning
Students are encouraged to spend time working in other alternative practice areas when they are on placement. This will support students to develop key knowledge and skills that will support their future practice as a district nurse. These may include, but are not limited to, a hospice, A&E, or walk-in centre. Tailoring your practice learning when on placement will enable you to build up a network of contacts and a greater appreciation of your role a specialist practitioner district nurse and how this integrates into the complex, wider provision of health and social care.
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.
To gain the credits required for each module you must be able to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved all learning outcomes.
Assessments on the specialist practitioner district nursing programme include essays, presentations, exam, observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a practice assessment document.
You will receive regular feedback on your academic progress at key points throughout the programme.
Theory assessments are awarded pass, refer or fail and practice assessments are classed as competent or not competent in each specific area.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
Situated in the City Campus, the Schools of Public and Allied Health and Nursing and Advanced Practice work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate courses. 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 professional-standard clinical practice simulation suites, enriched with technology-enhanced learning equipment. We use the latest clinical technology for simulations and developing clinical skills in child, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery.
Course tutors
Sarah Edwards
- Programme Leader / Senior Lecturer
Sarah Edwards is the programme leader for the specialist practitioner district nursing programme and joined the team in May 2024. Prior to this Sarah had experience as a senior lecturer within another higher education institution teaching pre-registration nurse paramedics. During this time Sarah developed skills in module design and development of teaching learning, and assessment activities. She also gained experience of conducting pedagogic research and successfully completed her post graduate certificate in teaching and learning in higher education in 2024.Sarah has extensive experience as a registered adult nurse, upon qualification she initially worked within bone marrow transplantation then moved to community nursing in 2006. Sarah qualified as a community specialist practitioner district nurse in 2008, working as a district nurse in Liverpool, before specialising in practice education. For over 13 years Sarah has assessed and supported the professional development of post registration nurses enrolled on the community specialist practitioner district nursing programme across Merseyside and Greater Manchester. In 2014 she was awarded the Queens Nurse title by the Queens Nursing Institute (QNI), a title that recognises the commitment to leadership and the delivery of high-quality care within the community setting. Sarah’s innovation and commitment to workforce development was recognised nationally when she was a finalist at the Nursing Times Awards in 2017.Sarah has excellent networking abilities and is passionate about raising the profile and the highly skilled work of district nurses, she has presented at national and regional level, most recently presenting at the QNI regional meeting highlighting the role of the professional nurse advocate (PNA) within district nursing. Through her role as a PNA Sarah has implemented restorative supervision within clinical practice and continues to advocate for compassionate leadership, restorative supervision and quality improvement within community nursing.
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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
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I feel that my clinical competencies have developed noticeably thus far, having support from clinical specialists such a community matron has been pivotal in fine tuning such skills to ensure that high quality care is upheld at all times, anchored in solid evidence base. I feel that the role of the district nurse is often misconstrued as a generalist role, however I feel passionately that district nurses are specialists in holistic care, rather than simply generalist. The role of the district nurse continues to evolve and there are increasing innovations evolving into community nursing care. There is always a new skill to learn and it is the development of such skills that enables the flourishing journey towards a specialist practitioner; I feel I am on this journey.
Career paths
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.
The School of Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes.
The School's wide-ranging portfolio of cutting-edge postgraduate courses enables you to enhance your existing skills in the field of health and social care, develop specialised knowledge and expertise and improve your long-term job prospects.
All courses meet the needs of the current healthcare agenda and the growing demand from this ever-evolving sector for increasingly skilled healthcare professionals.
Each programme is informed by cutting edge research, ensuring you have the opportunity to study the latest developments alongside world class experts.
Tuition fees and funding
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.
Fees
The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Funding
There are two routes for funding for this course:
- Secondment (for those currently employed by a local NHS organisation that will provide the practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
- Self-funding (for those who are working within adult nursing and are able to access a suitable practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
Some organisations and companies will 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
In a relevant nursing subject
Consideration will be given to applicants who have evidence of successful Level 6 or Level 7 (within the last 5 years)
GCSEs and equivalents
GCSE/Equivalent Grade C or above in Maths and English
Additional requirements
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Relevant work experience
Must be registered as an Adult Nurse on the NMC Register, with a minimum of 1 year post registration experience
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Interview required
An interview will be conducted involving the prospective learner and the employer prior to offering a place on the programme
Further information
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Extra Requirements
Please note: Students wishing to undertake the V300 element of this programme 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.
Registered nurse (level 1) with relevant professional registration
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RPL
RPL is allowed on this programme
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the course directly with your NHS Trust.
Self-funding students will need to contact the programme lead directly via email - S.E.Edwards@ljmu.ac.uk
Additional interview requirements
Applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the programme. You will asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation; the title will be given to you two weeks prior to your interview date.
You will also need to provide an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Practice and an understanding of the community children's nursing role.
The portfolio should include relevant, practice reflections (NMC revalidation documents are accepted). 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.