Higher and Degree Apprenticeships / Available Apprenticeships / District (Community Nurse) Specialist Practitioner Apprenticeship

About the course

Demand for skilled community nurses continues to grow as healthcare services increasingly focus on preventing hospital admissions, supporting earlier discharge and delivering more care closer to home.

The District (Community Nurse) Specialist Practitioner Apprenticeship equips registered nurses with the advanced clinical, leadership and prescribing skills needed to meet these challenges. Apprentices learn to lead complex care delivery, manage caseloads, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

Combining workplace learning with academic study, the programme leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in District Nursing with integrated V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing. Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Queen's Institute of Community Nursing, it prepares practitioners for specialist district nursing roles and supports workforce development across community healthcare services.

What you will study

The programme integrates academic and practice learning throughout, enabling apprentices to apply theory directly within contemporary community practice settings. Modules are valued at either 15 or 30 academic credits and, on successful completion, apprentices are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma.

Alongside the academic modules, apprentices complete a practice learning module that runs throughout the programme. This includes a Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and portfolio, demonstrating achievement of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice Qualifications (2022) and the QNI District Nursing Standards for Specialist Practitioner Qualification (2023).

  • Specialist Practice in District Nursing - 30 credits
  • Clinical Skills for Community-Based Patients - 30 credits
  • Practice Assessment Document

  • Leadership and Innovation in Specialist Nursing Practice - 15 credits
  • Pharmacology for Prescribers - 15 credits
  • Applied Prescribing - 30 credits
  • Practice Assessment Document

Assessment

Achievement of the programme learning outcomes and professional standards is assessed through a range of authentic and innovative assessment methods. These are designed to help apprentices demonstrate their knowledge, skills and professional development throughout the programme.

Assessment methods include student presentations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), learning logs, written reports and academic assignments. Practice learning is supported by Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors, enabling apprentices to integrate theoretical learning within contemporary community practice settings.

Apprentices demonstrate achievement of the programme learning outcomes and NMC Standards through completion of the Practice Assessment Document, evidencing progression and proficiency across both academic and practice learning.

This apprenticeship incorporates an integrated End Point Assessment (EPA), so no additional assessment is required beyond successful completion of the programme requirements. The EPA is achieved through confirmation of programme completion, including ratification by the Assessment Board, oversight from the External Examiner, and notification to the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Entry Requirements

 

  • Current registration as a nurse on Part 1 of the NMC professional register, with no restrictions on practice, and registered with the NMC for at least one year.
  • A UK first degree, or equivalent, with second-class honours or above in a nursing field (BSc Hons 2:2 or above).
  • Applicants without the standard academic entry requirements may be considered in exceptional circumstances if they have appropriate nursing experience and evidence of recent study or academic writing at the required level.
  • Employed in a suitable role within a healthcare organisation for at least one year and contracted to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
  • Employer support to undertake the apprenticeship, including release to attend off-the-job training and participation in progress reviews.
  • A current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and evidence of meeting NMC good health and good character requirements.
  • Applicants must also meet the NMC Standards for Prescribing Practice entry criteria, including evidence of clinical need for prescribing in their role and support from two prescribers to act as practice assessor and practice supervisor.
  • If English is not the applicant’s first language, an IELTS certificate is required with an overall score of 7.0. A score of 6.5 in writing will be accepted alongside 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking.

 

Ready to find out how this programme can benefit you?

Take your next steps

Fees and funding

Funding band: £14,000.

Funding for the apprenticeship is provided through the Department for Education. Levy-paying employers with sufficient funds in their digital account can access 100% funding. Non-levy paying employers are usually eligible for 95% government funding, with 5% employer co-funding payable at the start of the programme.

Take your next steps

If you are an aspiring apprentice

Considering a degree apprenticeship but already employed? Our degree apprenticeships are employer-led, meaning your company invests in your development. Discuss this exciting opportunity with your employer and once you’ve got the go-ahead, contact us to find out more.

If you’d like us to contact your employer on your behalf, just reach out with your employer’s details and permission to contact and we’ll take it from there.

We'll provide clear guidance to both you and your employer, walking you through the application process and everything that comes after.

If you’re not employed you can also find degree apprenticeship vacancies on the National Apprenticeship Service website – it has more apprenticeship vacancies than any other site.

If you are an employer

Offering apprenticeships can help employers develop specialist community nursing capability, retain experienced staff and support high-quality care in homes and community settings. Contact us to discuss employer requirements, eligibility and the application process.

Employers can apply for funding through the Level 7 Apprenticeship Fund from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.
Level 7 apprenticeships mitigation funding

Key facts

Course title

District (Community Nurse) Specialist Practitioner Apprenticeship

Award

Postgraduate Diploma District Nurse Apprenticeship with integrated V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing.

Duration

24 months

Fees

Funding band: £14,000