Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

Attendance is via either a full or part-time route which will be negotiated with the sponsoring Provider Service.

The course comprises of 45 programmed weeks for full time students (50% of which is in practice), or no more than 208 weeks for part-time students which is in accordance with NMC 2004 SCPHN regulations.

The course consists of five compulsory modules, one of which is a practice-focused module underpinned with key theoretical concepts. This module is delivered for the duration of the course and enables theory to inform practice and vice versa. A consolidating period of practice equivalent to at least ten weeks at the end of the programme is incorporated into this award. All modules are linked to service developments within Primary Care and are intended to develop core skills in research, practice development, public health activity and education.

• Registered qualification with the NMCon part 3 of the register
  
• Practice-based learning
• Robust mentorship programme in place to support students in practice
• Shared learning on some modules
• Sponsored programme via Provider Services
  

• Strengthening individual and community practice in action
• Community practitioner nurse prescribing formulary
• Applied public health
• Health and social research methods for the evidence-based practitioner
• Practice-focused research project

Robotham A. & Frost M. (eds) (2005) Health Visiting - Specialist Community Public Health Nursing. Elsevier. London

Hubley J & Copeman J (2008) Practical Health Promotion. Polity Press

Students are advised to contact the course leader as soon as possible if they require information as to which Provider Services are likely to offer sponsorships 

Students following a full-time course (45 weeks) will not usually have annual leave during the course as this is given at the end of the programme (seven weeks annual leave over the summer period). Over Christmas and Easter however block weeks of study leave are timetabled on both occasions.

Please contact Sue Everett, course leader, for any further information -  sue.everett@northampton.ac.uk.

This programme is assessed in both theory and practice and comprises a range of assessment strategies which enables students to demonstrate knowledge, synthesis and analysis in a variety of forms. Assessment strategies include portfolio of evidence; exams; viva voce; presentations; essays and dissertation.

This course is supported by designated practice teachers within the clinical environment.

The University offers a wide range of facilities to support student learning, and these can be seen on the University website http://www.northampton.ac.uk/.

An initial theory (University based work) induction programme is timetabled at the beginning of the course, followed by a practice induction period. Following this the course integrates both practice and theory, so for those students following the full-time course, they be in practice for part of the week and at University for the remainder of the week. One study day per week is also timetabled whenever possible. There are block weeks in practice which usually occur at least once per term, and block study weeks which, wherever possible, are timetabled to coincide with assignment submission dates.

Students following a part-time will under normal circumstances attend University for one day per week, practice for the second day and have half a day study time each week. Block weeks will be timetabled as above, but will be for two and a half days per week.

The course is delivered by a wide range of teaching and learning activities including lectures; enquiry-based learning; online activities; workshops; tutorials and group work. Specialist practitioners and service users input into the teaching elements of the course whenever possible.

The specialist nature of this award will enhance graduates opportunities to extend their responsibilities and undertake new roles in practice within clinical teams. On successful completion students will be registered with the NMC on third part of the register and will be able to apply for band 6 and 7 posts as Specialist Community Public Health Practitioners working within a wide variety of settings.

50% of the programme is in a practice environment which is commensurate with the specific annotation students are following ie Health Visiting or Children's and Young Peoples Nurses (School Nursing).

This element of the programme is supported by designated practice teachers who have undertaken a formal education programme to fulfil this role.

Sponsorship interviews are usually undertaken between March and June and these are usually advertised on Trust websites.