Post Graduate Diploma in District Nursing

Core skills

• A systematic understanding of knowledge and critical awareness of current problems and new insights. 
• Skills of enquiry and research. 
• Coaching and teaching. 
• Decision making skills in complex and unpredictable situations. 
• Leadership and Management skills, prioritisation of individual and team workload and caseload management. 
• Advanced systematic history, consultation and physical assessment skills. 
• Prescribing skills. 
• Enhanced communication skills. 
• Fluency and confidence in the performance of the clinical skills associated with the provision of community care.  

Areas of specialism 

• Develop a contemporary approach to community health and the delivery of community nursing care. 
• Leadership and management in the community setting, coordinating care and managing complex and dynamic patient caseloads, prioritising care and resources.
• Advanced case management for people with highly complex and unpredictable needs including those at the end of their lives. 
• Skills to ensure quality processes, service evaluation and improvement methodology.   

Course details and entry requirements

Course type: Full-time.

Duration: Two years. 

Hours of study: Students will spend 1-2 days a week in the university and then the rest of the time in practice-based learning. Applicants must have the support of their employer. 

Delivery method: A blended approach to learning with face to face study days and highly directed online study resources and work-based learning. 

Entry requirements: 

• Entrants must be registered nurse (Level 1) and have a minimum of one years post-registration experience.
• Entrants must possess the competence, experience and academic ability to study at the required level of the programme.
• Entrants should have completed study at Level 6 or higher within the last 5 years*.
• All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at Grade C or above.
• Students will be required to be working in a community setting that will facilitate the successful completion of the programme learning outcomes and achievement of a minimum of 600 hours district nursing and community practice.
• Applicants where English is not the first language must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice, that is, IELTS of 7 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each part.

* In order to commence the programme, entrants must meet the University’s entry requirements for study at postgraduate level. 

Applicants will normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2.2 or above; or European first cycle equivalent plus a professional qualification in health or social care. Those individuals without a degree but with appropriate practice related experience relevant to the programme may be eligible to apply. Candidates without a first degree at 2.2 or above (or European first cycle equivalent) will normally be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process. It is necessary to assess the potential student’s ability to study at masters level and therefore an interview will be necessary

Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are considered and if suitable accepted for Recognition of Prior learning, following University regulations and Faculty procedures.

Fee: £5,500 per annum. 

Other key facts: Students will remain as part of the workforce and continue to contribute to patient care whilst working towards their qualification. 

Offers are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report.