Practice Nursing PG Cert

Developed in collaboration with Health Education East Midlands and local general practice, the Practice Nursing course aims to prepare registered nurses who have not worked in general practice to have a baseline competence in the role, through both theoretical and practice learning.

Overview
Structure and assessment
Facilities and features
Opportunities and careers
more about your DMU
Contact us

Overview

The Practice Nursing programme of 60 credits at level 7 (postgraduate) and was developed to address the issues of recruitment and competency across the East Midlands region. This programme can also be studied at undergraduate level (level 6).

It aims to prepare registered nurses who have not worked in general practice before to have a baseline competence in the General Practice Nursing (GPN) role through both theoretical and practice learning. This will allow employers in the future to expect a safe, competence practice nurse and a certain level of consistency in terms of knowledge, skills and competence.

This programme was shortlisted for a Health Services Journal Award - Workforce category in 2014.

This programme incorporates academic learning and work based learning and includes key clinical skills required for General Practice Nursing which include venepuncture, ear care, wound management and cervical cytology.

Reasons to study Practice Nursing at DMU:

Flexible study options allow you to study at a level to suit your professional needs; with progression opportunities from undergraduate level to PG Cert
The programme is subsidised by Health Education East Midlands with a contribution from General Practice of £500 for each eligible student
The course will prepare you with the competency in a number of key clinical skills in a short space of time, including venepuncture, ear care, wound management, immunisations and vaccinations and cervical cytology
Module content is also aligned to the Royal College of General Practitioners’ (RCGP) competencies
Our team of experienced academics are all specialist practice and community nurses, ensuring your learning is relevant to current practice and a wide range of issues and contemporary debates in the field
Benefit from direct input and visiting lecturers from experienced practitioners in the field; broadening your perspective of practice nursing regionally and nationally
Inter-professional learning develops your ability to work as part of a multi-professional team

For additional information, please visit Health Education’s General Practice Nursing Programme webpage.

Scholarships:
At DMU, we are committed to helping our graduates enhance their careers and personal development through further study.

Vice-Chancellor’s Sports Scholarship
Find out more about the Vice-Chancellor's Sports Scholarships worth up to £6,000.

UK/EU
International

Key facts for UK/EU students

Institution code: D26

Course code: B70096

Module code: PNUR 5000

Duration: 40 weeks over two semesters

Attendance: 17 days of theoretical content, usually on Thursdays

Location of study: De Montfort University Leicester UK

Fees and funding:

This programme is currently supported by the Local Education Training Board and Health Education East Midlands.

Employers are required to pay a £500 contribution towards the cost of the programme.

For students outside of the East Midlands please contact:

Allison Brindley
E: Allison.brindley@dmu.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)116 257 7126

How to apply

Application guidance document

Submit a study-related enquiry

Not available to international students.

Entry criteria

A UK honours degree (2:2 or above in a relevant subject, or equivalent)
A minimum of 60 credits (inclusive of research) at level 6
Evidence of recent study (within the last 5 years)
Effective registration on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) professional register
Be employed as a general practice nurse by the start of the programme
You must complete a declaration form and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the course, which need to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admission policy

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 7 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Please visit dmu.ac.uk/international for more information.

Structure and assessment

Course modules

PGCE Practice Nursing:

Introduction to Practice Nursing (60 credits, level seven).

The Introduction to Practice Nursing is a 60 credit module that runs over two semesters. The aim of this module is to prepare registered nurses who have been recently appointed in general practice to have a baseline competence in the General Practice Nursing (GPN) role through both theoretical preparation and work based learning. This will allow employers in the future to expect a safe, competent practice nurse and a certain level of consistency in terms of knowledge, skills and competence from the GPN.

Teaching and assessment

The course adopts a range of teaching and learning strategies designed to facilitate the learning of a professional group; aiming to be efficient and motivating in the transfer of theoretical and practical knowledge, and to engage positively in actively negotiating, constructing and evaluating learning.

Strategies include:

Teacher-led sessions
Student-led seminars and presentations
Discussions and tutorials
Independent study
Focused reflection
A range of experiential teaching methods

Contact hours:

The programme includes 16 face to face taught days of 6 hours in length and a day dedicated to on line learning. There is also time available of three hours throughout the programme for students to access support for academic work from the programme team. This includes group tutorials and one-to-one sessions.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the optional modules you choose to study.

Large group teaching: you will typically have 6 hours of lectures each week

Academic expertise

A key strength of our team is that they are experienced and specialist practice and community nurses; familiar with a wide range of accompanying issues and contemporary debates.

Visiting lecturers will also contribute to the modules to broaden your perspective of practice nursing regionally and nationally.

Facilities and features

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Investment of £12 million in Health and Life Sciences has developed our first-class teaching and learning facilities to help you develop your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom.

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to apply theory to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.

Library services

The main Kimberlin Library is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (other than in exceptional circumstances) and offers a huge range of online resources, all of which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.

The library is run by dedicated staff who offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching and reference management and assistive technology, and mathematical skills for non-maths students. There is also a Just Ask service for help and advice, available via email or telephone.

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and the The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Opportunities and careers

Scholarships

As part of the university's commitment to enhancing the personal and career development of our graduates. We offer an Alumni scholarship programme. For more information visit Health and Life Sciences Alumni Scholarships.

Graduate careers

Due to an increasing clinical service load in primary care, with the trend to devolve clinical responsibility from secondary care, practice nurses are often first point of contact in terms of public health promotion and intervention, signposting and identifying onset of conditions.

The role of a practice nurse is now much more diverse in their management of health, including Quality Outcome Framework (QOF), with many having acquired specialist skills and knowledge. This course provides you with a relevant and recognised qualification in general practice nursing, enabling you to fulfil your role as practice nurse, and enhancing your current and future career opportunities.