Course summary

Highly regarded by students and practice partners for our teaching in this area, BNU has a strong reputation for its district nurse training. You will work with highly skilled academics, who have worked in the community – and spend 50% of your time in practice yourself, consolidating and deepening your understanding and skills. This course is for qualified nurses with a postgraduate diploma in nursing. You will be sponsored by a health organisation or trust and achieve a master’s, while gaining advanced skills and knowledge in an area of community nursing you want to specialise in. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? You'll benefit from an excellent standard of teaching provided by staff from the University and practice, in partnership with our NHS Trust partners. Our lecturers have a wide expertise in the field and also maintain close links with practice, ensuring that the programme is up-to-date with modern practice. We offer continuous support throughout the programme, and you will receive personal tutoring and benefit from a high level of research within the teaching team. Your personal tutor will help guide you through your studies, support you with your academic development and give advice when needed. Highly regarded by students and practice partners for our teaching in this area, BNU has a strong reputation for its health visitor and school nurse training. You will work with highly skilled academics, who have worked in the community – and spend 50% of your time in practice yourself, consolidating and deepening your understanding and skills. What will I study? This course covers all the areas needed to meet the NMC professional requirements for district nurses. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• understand the complexities of working in a community setting

• better appreciate strategic influences on policy

• take a critical approach to nursing care in the community, with a strong emphasis on providing holistic, evidence-based care to patients in their homes

• analyse how decisions about care are made, drawing on relevant research

• work at the forefront of caring for patients with a range of healthcare needs.

• Honing your critical thinking and leadership skills, you will learn to make better decisions, and be well equipped to lead large teams of nurses effectively in caring for patients in their own homes. You will also learn to take a more strategic view of community healthcare provision, drawing on the latest research, ideas and policy – as well as carrying out your own piece of research.