Overview
(with pathways in Health Visiting and School Nursing)
This programme has been developed in response to a growing need for practitioners to respond to the emerging public health policy agenda and develop knowledge, understanding and skills of public health approaches to practice (Department of Health 2003; Department of Health 2004a; Department of Health 2004b; Department of Health 2005a; Department of Health 2005b; Department of Health 2006, Department of Health 2010). Such a context of practice requires that health care professionals develop a comprehensive range of skills to enable them to develop and lead population based services designed to tackle inequalities in health, prevent ill health and work in partnership with individuals, families and communities. Actualising health for wellbeing in meaningful, ethical and human caring ways for individuals and communities requires leadership and public health at Masters level thinking, and beyond.
Content and Modules
The Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing will enable registered nurses and midwives to achieve the standards of proficiency required to practice and register as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (NMC 2004) within the identified fields of health visiting and school nursing. The programme for the Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing is underpinned by the ten key principles of public health practice which can be grouped into four domains:
The search for health needs.
-
Stimulation of awareness of health needs
-
Influence on policies affecting health
-
Facilitation of health-enhancing activities
Further Information
In the future there will be opportunity for students to undertake a dissertation and achieve a Masters’ degree. The programme is committed to ongoing development of SCPHN’s and is contemporary in its content and delivery. A blended learning approach is used with time spent at University and in practice; students are supported in practice by an experienced practice teacher. Innovative methods of teaching incorporate virtual learning, wikis, blogs and discussions to enhance student focused education. Current developments in practice are recognising a national need for SCPHN practitioners; developing study to incorporate enhanced critical thinking, research knowledge, and reflective practitioners has potential to augment delivery of quality services to individuals and communities . The Masters programme encourages students to develop these skills.
Course Leaders
Jan Mitcheson j.mitchesonucs.ac.uk|
Lois Seddon l.seddonucs.ac.uk|