Community Specialist Practice BSc(Hons)

Course in brief

This course is for registered nurses wanting to qualify as a general practice nurse, health visitor, or as a nurse in a home setting.

Successful completion of the course will allow you to register your further qualification on your nursing record with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Option modules in specialist pathways means you can create your own study programme to suit your professional or personal aspirations. You will have a clear focus on your intended direction by mapping out a development plan before the start of your course.

As a student on the course, you will share your learning with other community nursing specialities, allowing you to benefit from intra-professional collaboration. Our programmes are designed to allow students from other disciplines, and in some cases other professions, the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.

We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments.

Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with community specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in community practice.

The recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – are embedded in our curriculum.

We have a dedicated team of academic staff who are actively engaged in internationalising the nursing and midwifery curriculum, and we offer all our students the chance to experience practice in another country.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code Not applicable. Apply direct to the university.

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2.5 years

This course meets NMC standards and course graduates are eligible for registration.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2018. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

How to apply

The next available course starts in September 2018 and the application process for trust sponsorship will be open through NHS jobs between 1 February and 28 February 2018.

The Trust and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) will shortlist the applications and, if successfully shortlisted, your details will be forwarded to the university where you will be asked to complete an online application form and invited to interview.

Please note that it will not be possible to make an application to the university unless you have applied and been shortlisted. Any applications that do not meet this criteria cannot be considered.

Interview process

References from previous or current employers and an academic reference are required.

Interviews are carried out with a representative from the university and representatives from the NHS trusts, including a practice teacher representative.

At interview the following will be considered:

Knowledge of the role
Communication skills
Potential for development of community specialist nursing

Offers are subject to the identification and approval of a practice teacher. Offers may be held for a period of one year.

Module choice will be planned taking account of the requirements of your sponsoring trust and previous study.

A maximum of 30 level 6 credits APL / AP(E)L / RAWL may be brought into the course if they meet the learning outcomes and have been undertaken in the previous five years. For students who have obtained credit under the 4 HEI agreement, a maximum of 40 level 6 credits (not including dissertation module) may be brought into the course provided they meet the learning outcomes and have been undertaken in the previous five years.

The course cannot be accessed by international students as it is regulated by the NMC and students must be NMC-registered in order to gain access to the course.

Degree and experience

Candidates will have their name on the parts of the NMC register as identified below.

General Practice Nursing RN1, RNA

Nursing in the Home (District Nursing) RN1, RNA

Applicants to the course are expected to:

1. have a health or social care-related diploma of higher education, or foundation degree (minimum of 120 level 5 credits)

Or:

hold a current registered qualification in health or social care with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Health and Social Care Professions Council or equivalent PSRB

2. normally have successfully completed study within the last five years at Level 5 or 6

Or:

successfully complete a Level 6 module prior to registering on the award

3. demonstrate some knowledge of community health and practice

4. have a minimum of six months' post-registration experience

5. have access to a placement in a local NHS trust/GP surgery through a training contract

6. have appropriate clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service, organised by the sponsoring organisation.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

Course in detail

Course structure

The course delivery is a blend of practice placements and classroom-based learning. A variety of learning and teaching strategies are used including problem-based and work-based learning.

You will be allocated practice placements by your employing trust and assigned a practice teacher to support your learning in practice. You undertake a period of alternative practice where you can spend a week in another context that is of demonstrable value to your role.

Modules are delivered in intensive or extensive mode over a semester. The course is delivered in a variety of ways, and is flexible enough to meet the needs of part-time students. Delivery is typically via e-learning, lectures, seminars, workbooks for work-based learning and simulation in our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite and Flexible Learning Environment.

You will complete personal development plans and learning contracts that are agreed between yourself, the university and your employer.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Syllabus

During the course you will develop your ability to: assess risk in complex situations, cultivate effective relationships based on trust and openness, work flexibly with other services in a range of settings, deal with conflicting priorities and ambiguous situations, and know when to use different and sometimes contradictory theories and perspectives.

Core modules

Developing Practice: the challenges of change
Development through Work-based Learning
V100 Prescribing from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary or Health Assessment for Prescribing; Clinical and Professional Aspects of Prescribing; Pharmacology (V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing)

Options*

Case Management for Health and Social Care
Physical Assessment of Adults
Diabetes: Delivering Innovative Care
Mentor/Educator/Sign-Off Mentor in Practice Preparation
Cervical Screening
Contraception and Associated Sexual Healthcare
Chronic Disease and Frailty

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Facilities

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite
Our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite is among the best equipped in the country, and is an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.

You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Provided by the NHS’ South East Coast Ambulance Service, you may have access to our Simbulance, enabling you to work alongside paramedic students in an interprofessional learning environment. On board is a high fidelity mannikin with multiple uses, and a child-size mannikin for paediatric scenarios.

Learning by simulation means you will be confident in your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in your professional life.

Flexible Learning Environment
The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where you'll be able to practise skills and learn from other students while taking part in a realistic training experience.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that students can be directed and monitored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

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Study abroad

Post-registration students

As a qualified nurse or midwife you may be interested in developing a European or an international dimension to your learning and development.

Here at the School of Health Sciences we can offer the opportunity to do this through our international work-based learning module. If you have a particular clinical interest, for example public health nursing, and are interested in how this is delivered and practised in Scandinavia we can arrange for you to access a placement area with one of our partners in Finland, Norway, Sweden or Denmark. We can also help structure your experience through establishing focused learning outcomes and detailed preparation.

Our courses are vibrant and internationally aware. Many of our academic staff have international health and education experience and some are members of groups such as Sigma Theta Tau and the Florence Nightingale Scholars.

We also have a vast range of modular opportunities for the following students:

UK nurses seeking additional hours/knowledge to enable registration in the USA and links with recruitment agencies
EU nurses wanting to register in the UK with the NMC and requiring additional hours/knowledge
International nurses wanting to register in the UK with the NMC and requiring additional hours/knowledge

Please do contact the admissions team for further information about these modules, by emailing namcpeadmissions@brighton.ac.uk.

Careers and employability

The skills and knowledge that you acquire can be applied to a wide range of community nursing or public health roles in various settings.

Once qualified, you will have the opportunity to enhance your practice, progress to a higher-graded band and take part in research and practice development. The context of practice both within and outside the NHS is constantly changing and the opportunities for innovative approaches to service provision exist.

Most graduates go on to work, or continue working, within the NHS in a variety of community nursing and primary care settings.

Fees and funding

Your fees

This course, which provides professional development for qualified health practitioners, is not currently affected by the recent government changes to funding for new students starting health courses in 2017.

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

Most students obtain funding through their trust, some choose to self-fund, and others secure funding through scholarships or bursaries.

How to apply

Applications are accepted in the February of each year, which is also when the relevant application form is made available by the School of Health Sciences.

For more information, contact the programme administrator on CommunityNursing@brighton.ac.uk.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

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Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We have halls of residence across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Eligible students can apply for any of these options. Find out if you are eligible…
You’ll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Falmer campus is linked to halls on the Falmer campus and Varley Park.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms and catering options. Varley Park is less than a mile from Falmer and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on campus and offer a range of room types and catering options.

We also offer Unihomes and Unilets, student houses that we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option offers the most choice and flexibility and can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments.

There’s plenty of support if you choose private rented accommodation. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. And we run our housemates service over the summer for students, new and returning, looking for a place to live.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages.

Hillside hall of residence at Varley Park

Varley Park accommodation near to the Falmer campus

Student in our Moulsecoomb Place hall of residence

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus

Find out more

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School of Health Sciences
01273 644095
CommunityNursing@brighton.ac.uk

Programme specification

The programme specification is the official university document for each course. They are updated each year, and give a very detailed breakdown of what your course might look like.

Programme specification