MSc PG Dip Specialist Practice Community

This programme provides opportunities for the development of a critically informed understanding of contemporary issues in community and primary care and encourages an interprofessional approach to the study of Specialist Practice Community nursing.

Emphasis is placed upon the further development of critical and analytical skills using a reflective approach to professional practice. The programme acknowledges the rapidly changing emphasis on care provision within community contexts, and aims to equip postgraduate students with a portfolio of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary to work within a range of community settings.

Four defined pathways have been developed:

• District Nursing
• General Practice Nursing
• Learning Disability Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing

Why study Specialist Practice Community at Chester?

The overarching aim of the programme is to produce a competent, independent community practitioner working at postgraduate level, capable of promoting the development and delivery of community nursing practice across a variety of settings.

In addition to meeting the professional standards, this programme has been planned and developed in conjunction with stakeholders representing NHS trusts, and SPC nurses from district nursing, mental health, general practice nursing and community learning disability nursing. This has resulted in a contemporary and high quality programme whereby the integration of theory and practice is realised throughout.

Features:

• The programme is 50% theory and 50% practice and this is integrated across the duration of the programme. The theoretical component is undertaken in the University, and the practice component in a community setting under the supervision of a qualified Mentor or Practice Teacher from the defined area of practice.
   
• The Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Practice Community programme can be studied on a full or part-time basis and is modular in structure. Students can either undertake studies over one academic year (full time) or over two academic years (part time). The programme must be completed within four years. Students are awarded the MSc Specialist Practice following the successful completion of a dissertation.
   
• This programme is delivered at Riverside Campus, Chester.