Entry requirements

Degree:

2:2 in a nursing field

Further entry requirements may apply

Key facts

Study mode:

Part-time

Start dates:

September (Average one day a week for 24 months)

Fees:

If you are an employee of a Leicestershire Partnership Trust, or Northampton Healthcare Foundation Trust, the programme will be funded through NHS England.

Conditions apply

See all the key facts and full entry requirements

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma District Nursing with V300 programme builds upon collaborative partnerships with local practice partners to facilitate the academic progression and professional development of registered nurses in the community setting. You will study at academic level 7 over 24 months and develop specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours within the area of specialist community nursing practice: district nursing.

Theoretical and practice learning are integrated throughout the course as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC); you will attend taught modules at DMU on average one day a week and will attend practice placement (self-funders will need to secure practice placement to meet programme requirements). You will be required to complete and pass a zero-credited practice learning module that runs across both years; learning for this is demonstrated through the completion of a Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to apply for registration as a Specialist Community Nursing Practitioner (District Nurse) with the NMC. You will be awarded with a formal digital accreditation and certificate from the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), as well as becoming an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber (V300), and achieving your Postgraduate Diploma.

The programme can also be accessed via the apprenticeship route: PG Diploma District Nursing with V300 Prescribing Apprenticeship (B70274)

Please speak to the programme leader Donna Edwards for further information.

Donna Edwards

Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead

E: donna.edwards@dmu.ac.uk

Tel: 0116 250 6003

Key features

Undertake specially designed modules to meet the specific programme outcomes that are mapped to professionally recognised standards.
Develop your professional practice skills during clinical placements in a district nursing team that is supported by a practice-based practice supervisor and practice assessor.
Gain competencies that are mapped to the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Community Nursing Specialist Practice, QNI District Nurse Standards for Specialist Practitioners and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s standards for all prescribers.
Undertake an accredited prescribing course that will allow you to become a V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescriber upon successful completion.
Be taught and supported, at DMU and on placement, by specialist academic and clinical colleagues who have worked collaboratively to develop this specialist practitioner programme.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will exit with a Postgraduate Diploma, a digital accreditation and certificate with the QNI, as well as recognised status as an Independent and Supplementary Prescriber (V300).

Specialist Practice in District Nursing

This module will enable you to develop expert skills, knowledge and behaviours to become a community nursing specialist practitioner: district nurse.

Clinical Skills for Community-Based Patients

This module will enable you to develop practical skills and knowledge of assessment, consultation and examination of a community-based patient.

Leadership and Innovation in Specialist Nursing Practice

This module will enable you to explore communication, leadership and problems solving skills to enhance specialist practice.

Pharmacology for Prescribers

One of two prescribing modules. This module will enhance your knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and therapeutic uses of drugs when prescribing.

Applied prescribing

Second of the two prescribing modules. This module will encourage you to explore and critically appraise the skills, competencies and knowledge required to make a safe prescribing decision.

Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

This is a 0-credit module that is a pass/fail; you will collate evidence to complete a portfolio of practice to demonstrate that you have met the NMC and QNI standards

Module content will utilise digital communication and teaching methods such as self-directed learning via the university’s virtual learning platform Learning Zone whilst providing innovative and engaging teaching methods in and out of the classroom setting.

Teaching

Throughout the programme you will participate in learning opportunities that include attending taught modules on campus at DMU and learning in clinical practice.

Practice learning could include working with and leading community nursing teams, shadowing specialist practitioners, working in specialist teams and attending conferences. You will demonstrate your knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to reflect on learning and development of the NMC and QNI standards through completion of theoretical modules and the Practice Assessment Document.

The programme learning and teaching strategy will empower you to be co-creators of your own learning, encouraging independent, lifelong learning skills and skills of self-critical inquiry. Knowledge, skills and behaviours are developed through an incremental approach to learning over the duration of the programme and you will be expected to take responsibility for personal, professional and academic development.

Individual development can be supported by a dedicated student support team at DMU who aim to enhance your health and well-being, together with supporting academic learning. From the outset of the programme, you will be equipped with the skills necessary to facilitate self-directed study expected in the postgraduate learner, in line with the teaching and learning strategy at DMU.

Module content will utilise digital communication and teaching methods such as self-directed learning via the university’s virtual learning platform, the Learning Zone, whilst providing innovative and engaging teaching methods in and out of the classroom setting.

Assessment

Achievement of the programme outcomes, and professional standards, will be assessed by the utilisation of a variety of innovative assessment methods underpinned by the DMU principles of Universal Design for Learning, to ensure that all students are supported to reach their potential.

Assessments in each part of the programme will build upon skills developed throughout the programme and will reflect the robust scaffolding of content delivery.

Assessments will include student presentations, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, learning logs, written reports, and assignments. Assessment in practice will be facilitated, supported, and assessed by practice supervisors and practice assessors in practice, and academic assessors in DMU. You will demonstrate achievement of meeting the programme outcomes, and professional Standards through the completion of the PAD.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Why choose DMU?

Careers and Employability
Facilities

Your future career

District Nurse Specialist Practitioner graduates, have gone onto to work in district nursing teams in community NHS Trusts working as district nurse leads and managers.

Further study to complete a Master’s Degree at DMU is possible. Please visit the Professional Clinical Practice course page for further details.

Fees and funding

If you are an employee of a Leicestershire Partnership Trust, or Northampton Healthcare Foundation Trust, the programme will be funded through NHS England following a successful interview with your manager and a member of the university’s academic team.

As a self-funder the cost of the programme is £9,200 (total cost) and is subject to:

Meeting the programme entry criteria
Meeting prescribing programme entry criteria; completion and confirmation of associated prescribing appendices
Written agreement and confirmation of placement in a district nursing team that meets programme, quality and governance standards, and meets professional standards
Successful interview with the programme and placement team

Additional costs

The core textbooks for all modules are available in the Kimberlin Library, and journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically from your myDMU login.

Some students like to purchase their own text books or print course documents and we suggest allowing approximately £200 per year for this.

All students are required to pay for their DBS check if required for your programme or placement.

In addition, students will be required to pay for their travel costs to placements or project locations.

All students are provided the opportunity to participate in DMU Global trips. These trips are subsidised by the University, and the cost and subsidy vary by location.

Entry requirements

Degree:

2:2 in a nursing field

Current registration as a Nurse on Part 1 of the NMC professional register with no restrictions on practice; and be registered with the NMC for a minimum of one year.

A UK degree (or equivalent) with a second-class honours or above in a BSc nursing field (BSc hons 2:2 or above).

In exceptional circumstances non-standard entry is possible, the applicant must:

Have current registration as a Nurse on Part 1 of the NMC professional register with no restrictions on practice; be registered with the NMC for a minimum of one year.
Have 120 credits at level 5 (Dip HE), or have a UK (or equivalent) third class degree (with hons) in a nursing field, and should:
Possess 3 years post-registration nursing experience within a health practice setting within the last 5 years; and
60 academic credits at level 6 or 7; and/or
Be interviewed by the Programme Leader and will be asked to submit a piece of academic writing which will be assessed and marked at level 7; if the applicant passes this successfully they could gain entry to the PGDip DN Programme (examples of such applicants may have previously submitted papers for publication, or similar).

All applicants must meet the additional NMC Standards for Prescribing Practice (NMC, 2023) entry criteria:

Intend to practice in an area of clinical need for which prescribing will improve patient/client care and service delivery;
Ensure that there is a clinical need for prescribing in their role;
Have the support of two prescribers: one to take on the role of practice assessor and the other to take on the role of practice supervisor,
Have managerial and non-medical prescribing lead support (for self-funded candidates this is not required but a professional reference is required instead).

Applicants are required to supply a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); and evidence that the applicant meets the NMC good character requirements through completion of a good health good character form. Any applicants who have spent or unspent criminal convictions must declare these upon application.

Applicants must attend, and be successful at an interview with their employing NHS Trust, a service user and a member of the programme team from DMU. Self-employed or self-funding applicants will be interviewed by a service user and members of the programme and placement team.

Self-employed or self-funding applicants will need to have written and agreed practice learning placements arranged before commencing the programme.

If English is not the applicant’s first language, they will need to complete The International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They must provide an IELTS certificate that confirms an overall score of 7.0, however, a level 6.5 in writing will be accepted alongside a level 7 in reading, listening, and speaking.

Key facts

Course title

District Nursing with V300 Prescribing PG Dip

Award

PG Dip

Programme code

B70273

Study mode

Part-time

Study level

Postgraduate

Start dates

September

Duration

Average one day a week for 24 months

How to apply

Home/UK students

Save these details for your application

Programme title:: District Nursing with V300 Prescribing PG Dip PG Dip
Programme code:: B70273

You can apply using the DMU Application Portal. This method allows you to save, revisit and review your application before submitting it at any time of the day.

The following should be submitted with the application form:

Where required, one current reference on official headed paper or from a professional email address. This can be a work or academic reference and must be signed and recently dated
Copies of your academic transcripts
Copies of your degree or diploma certificates
Your personal statement

DMU Application Portal