MSc Community Health Studies (Specialist Practitioner District Nursing) V100
01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2026
| Course Leader | Angela Hiscocks |
|---|---|
| Course Team | Eileen Munson, Simon Young, Iwan Dowie, Joanne Smith, Cheryl Doyle, Donna Pace |
| Awarding Body | University of South Wales |
| Teaching Institutions | University of South Wales |
| Modes of Study | Part Time, Full Time |
Document Version
| Version | 3 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2021 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
QAA Benchmarks
Educational Aim
• Provide registered nurses with the opportunity to pursue a programme of continuing professional education and clinical development in the field of community nursing. Primarily, to enable such students to achieve PGdip/MSc in Community Health Studies and a Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ) in District Nursing, to be recorded with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Enable students to develop higher levels of knowledge, skills, expertise and capacity in community health studies, facilitating their ability to challenge current practice, and assisting their contribution to the development of practice in district nursing.
• Demonstrate the ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, making sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicating conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Develop students’ abilities to critically appraise, evaluate, synthesise and disseminate research and evidence, so informing practice.
• Allow students to attain competence, through critical examination and self awareness of their efficiency and effectiveness within evolving community nursing practice.
• Foster leadership abilities whilst focusing the student towards self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks within community practice.
• Instil the attitude of life long-learning, promoting a sense of exploration and enquiry, encourage enhancement of knowledge, understanding, application to practice, analysis, evaluation and synthesis to develop new skills to a high level.
• Embrace current specialist practice standards as defined by the NMC and map standards to module learning outcomes to ensure the programme facilitates achievement of relevant standards for each course.
Learning Outcomes
| A1 | Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the professional, ethical and legal perspectives relevant to their practice. |
| A2 | Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant research based evidence underpinning district nursing |
| A3 | Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts that form the basis for district nursing within a changing society and rapidly evolving health care system. |
| B1 | Critically appraise and synthesise theoretical and research evidence to inform and transform practice |
| B2 | Critically evaluate, from multiple perspectives, the development of policies and hypothesise the impact of such policies on district nursing practice. |
| B3 | Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of relevant concepts, theories and frameworks that underpin district nursing practice. |
| B4 | Develop originality in the application of knowledge to district nursing practice and demonstrate how such knowledge will inform practice. |
| B5 | Demonstrate a reflexive approach to appraising the critical issues encountered within district nursing, and articulating solutions within academic and clinical work |
| C1 | Critically examining and appraising what constitutes effective functioning in a multi-professional and multi-disciplinary health care context. |
| C2 | Demonstrate competence and appraise their professional practice, and leadership qualities within district nursing |
| C3 | Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the changing needs of the service and the profession, and develop leadership skills to take change forward. |
| C4 | Demonstrate that district nursing practice is based on systematic evidence by appropriate selection, critical appraisal and dissemination of research findings. |
| C5 | Demonstrate through a research proposal their role in innovating research based practice |
| C6 | Meet the current NMC Standards for Specialist Education and Practice, and the Department of Health's (2004) Knowledge and Skills (KSF) dimensions mapped to each module. |
| C7 | Develop competence in district nursing through critical examination and application to practice. |
Course Structure
Level 7 Modules
| Module Code | Module Id | Module Title | Module Status | Credit Value | Module Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU4T003 | MOD010864 | Dissertation | Running | 60 | specified |
| CA4H001 | MOD003495 | Decision Making | Closed | 10 | core |
| CA4S041 | MOD003539 | Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing) | Closed | 20 | specified |
| CA4S065 | MOD005342 | Diabetes Care | Closed | 20 | optional |
| CA4S066 | MOD007991 | Living well with Long-term Health Conditions | Closed | 20 | optional |
| CA4S067 | MOD007993 | Minor Illness for Primary Care Nurses | Running | 20 | optional |
| CA4S084 | MOD010867 | Law, Ethics and Nurse Prescribing | Closed | 20 | specified |
| CA4U002 | MOD004171 | Fundamentals of Community Practice | Closed | 30 | core |
| FC4S021 | MOD004022 | Research Methods for Practice | Closed | 20 | specified |
| FC4S024 | MOD007994 | Transitions and Continuations of Care | Closed | 20 | optional |
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Employer Engagement
Cwm Taf University Health Board
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board
Powys Teaching Health Board
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Means of Assessment
Theory
Assignment, essays, case studies, poster, examination, presentations
Clinical assessment pass or fail of clinical learning outcomes assessed by a sign off mentor with DN SPQ
Learning Support
USW Library
Blackboard
Student Support
Study Skills Support
Disability and Dyslexia Support
Course Exit Points
| Award | Criteria | Final |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science | 180 credits of which at least 150 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6. MSc Community Health Studies (Specialist Practitioner District Nursing with integrated V100 Nurse Prescribing) All students must confirm a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Check prior to entry to the NMC register as a Specialist Practitioner | Final |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 credits of which at least 90 must be at Level 7 and no more than 30 at Level 6. PGdip Community Health Studies (Specialist Practitioner District Nursing with integrated V100 Nurse Prescribing) All students must confirm a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Check prior to entry to the NMC register as a Specialist Practitioner | Exit |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 credits with at least 40 at Level 7 and no more than 20 at Level 6. PGCert Community Health Studies without Specialist Practitioner Qualification. | Exit |
Progression Route
Entry Requirements
Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:
• Students must be on part one of the NMC register
• Students must have the mark of entry related to adult branch or parts 1, 2, 7, 12, RNA or RN2 of the register.
• 120 credits at level five and generally 120 credits at level 6, in addition demonstration of ability to study at level 7, consideration will be given through the mechanism of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to any applicant who does not possess the level 6 credits
• Potential students will be working within a community nursing setting in Wales or will have a guaranteed ‘community’ base for the duration of the course in order to achieve the clinical component of the course.
• All students must have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Check and this must include the annual update verification.
Inclusive Curriculum Statement
The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/
Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution
N/A
Methods Of Quality Standards
N/A
Quality Of Standards Indicators
N/A