Community Specialist Practice
BSc(Hons)

Course summary and entry requirements

Course duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2-5 years

Professional accreditation
On successful completion of this course you will have your professional pathway award recorded on your nursing record with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

About the course

The aim of this course is to prepare community specialist nurses who are responsive to the healthcare needs of various client groups across different settings. They will be equipped to meet the four broad areas of the NMC Standards for Specialist Education and Practice (2002), with the ability to assess and solve problems collaboratively and to promote social inclusion within changing healthcare environments. The pathways offered at University of Brighton include:
- General Practice Nursing
- Nursing in the Home / District Nursing.
Community Specialist Practice provides the opportunity to gain both a professional qualification and an academic award at degree level. Students are supported by a practice teacher (and mentors where appropriate) in practice placements within their employing trust.

Typical entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
6.5 overall and 6 in writing.
Degree and/or experience:
Registration with Nursing and Midwifery Council under
o General Practice Nursing RN1, RNA
o Nursing in the Home (District Nursing) RN1, RNA
Also:
- A health-related diploma (minimum of 120 Level 5 credits), or able to demonstrate achievement of 120 Level 5 credits.
- Evidence of study in the last five years at diploma level or above.
- Normally have a minimum of six months post-qualifying experience
- Demonstrate some knowledge of community health and practice
Applicants are short-listed and interviewed jointly by academic staff and employers.
Course content

Course structure

Students are allocated practice placements by their employing trust, and are assigned a practice teacher to support their learning in practice. Students undertake a period of alternative practice when they can spend a week in another context that is of demonstrable value to their role.
Our courses encourage shared learning between the community nursing specialities so that the benefits of developing intra-professional collaboration can be enhanced. Therefore programmes have been designed to include modules in which learning is shared with students from other disciplines, and where possible, other professions.
An exciting variety of learning approaches are utilised in the course including problem-based and work-based learning. You need to be highly motivated and be prepared to actively engage with all aspects of your learning.

Areas of study

A central mandatory module within the course relates to practice development - an essential skill for specialist practitioners. An individual approach to planning is taken with each student though a personal development plan and learning contracts that are agreed between the student, university and employer. Modules also allow students to focus their practice assignments on areas of value to their role. Core modules are as follows:
Work-based Learning
This module, shared across the community nursing, public health nursing and nurse practitioner courses, enables students to develop a specific project in practice. This module facilitates the development of knowledge and skills required to inform evidence-based practice.
Developing Practice: the challenges of change
The aim of this module is to develop practitioners who will take on roles in the management and development of effective strategies for health and social care interventions. This module is also shared across the community nursing programmes.
Nurse Prescribing from the Community Nurse Prescribers Formulary
This module is mandatory for those undertaking the Nursing in the Home / District Nursing pathway.
In addition to the core modules mentioned above students can choose from a wide choice of optional modules allowing them to study topics of personal and professional interest.
Fees and costs

NHS funding is available and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Please contact us directly for exact tuition fees and for information on the funding available for this course.
Location

Location Falmer

Our Falmer campus is located on the edge of the South Downs National Park on the outskirts of Brighton. Approximately 7,000 students are based here.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Brighton
Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.
Social scene
Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Arts
The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.
Sports
Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.
Career opportunities

Most graduates go on to work, or continue working, within the NHS in a variety of community nursing and primary care settings. The context of practice both within and outside the NHS is constantly changing and the opportunities for innovative approaches to service provision exist.

Visit the careers service website.