Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing), PGDip
Do you have the leadership qualities to become a district nurse and inspire your own team in the community? Our postgraduate diploma will support your ambitions.
This one-year qualification is for nurses who wish to pursue a career as a specialist practitioner in district nursing. We combine the study of health, policy, research and evidence-based practice to focus your career. You will explore and debate policy, theory and research related to district nursing.
Our expert tutors help you develop the required knowledge and skills to deliver patient care in district nursing services. You will learn essential leadership skills and how to head up your own team of staff responsible for this provision. Nursing skills theory is taught and assessed in our four laboratories on campus, which provide a safe and protected environment for your learning.
School
Location
Duration
- 2 years full-time
Start month
January
Home fees 2023/24
* January 2024 starters pay the 2023/24 fees.
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Welcome to our Specialist Practitioner (District Nursing) PGDip. Your teaching comes from an experienced team of expert practitioners and lecturers. These include academics and practitioners with a wide range of experience. All of our teaching team hold a teaching qualification.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
- An honours degree normally at 2:2 or above
- Current NMC Registration for nursing (first level)
- Community experience (minimum 6 months, preferably 2 years).
- Students for this programme require a mentor or practice teacher and are usually seconded or supported by their employer to undertake the programme"
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
COVID vaccine
An important part of many of our Health programmes is the opportunity to learn on placement and work with patients, service users and their families. On all our programmes leading to a professional accreditation with either the NMC or HCPC, placement in a health or social care setting is a compulsory learning outcome of the programme.
Prior to commencing on your chosen programme of study we strongly urge you to complete a full course of Covid-19 vaccinations. Although not currently compulsory, both the NMC and HCPC strongly encourage all registrants to be fully vaccinated. This is because There is a global scientific consensus, supported by our own medicines regulator in the UK, on the importance and value of full vaccination against Covid-19 and the benefits for people receiving care, vaccinated individuals themselves, their families, communities and the wider health and social care system.
While currently you can register with the NMC and HCPC as a non-vaccinated individual, their expectations and regulatory advice is clear, please see here for NMC position on Covid-19 vaccination and here for the HCPC’s position.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use Prior Learning?
Students are seconded from an employing Community NHS Trust. Numeracy and literacy testing as well as an interview are some of the usual methods of recruitment for the employing Trust as well as meeting the academic requirements for entry to the programme. You will also need to complete an online application form for the university, once places with employing Trusts have been confirmed.
How you will learn
Teaching
The course incorporates a range of different teaching methods and self- directed activities. We have a strong 50:50 theory and practice element to our diploma, meaning half of your learning time will be spent in practical work placements.
Class sizes
The typical student intake per year averages 20-30. Some lectures are also attended by students on the specialist community public health nurse programme and these would normally be attended by 40-50 students. Seminars/tutorials are also arranged with smaller numbers of students. This varies by module, particularly if they are shared between degrees.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for coursework, presentations and exams. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You can also join a range of student activities to support your learning.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc), independent learning, and assessments. For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of modules you are studying.
Assessment
You will be assessed through presentations, written assignments, exams and in practice through a practice assessment document.
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2023/24 fees *
| Full-time (per year) | Full-time (per year) | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
* January 2024 starters pay the 2023/24 fees.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies, as well as specific computer software (estimate, £150 per year)
- Memberships: applying for membership of a professional body may incur further costs
- Alternative placements: you may need to contribute towards any trips required for your course.
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Half of your learning time will be spent in practical work placements, where you will be assessed by qualified practitioners. We are proud to report that all our work placements have resulted in employment, with our students being recruited through the trusts they are seconded/sponsored by.
How long is my placement?
Placement runs throughout the course either as week placements or two days a week plus the final ten weeks of the course are spent in consolidation of learning and on placement.
What are the financial arrangements?
To undertake this course you will be seconded or sponsored and therefore will be paid a salary by the employing Trust; this is independent of the university.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to work in a wide range of community-based settings, mainly within health, social care and education sectors.
Are internships available?
Not applicable for this course.
Do you provide employability services?
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
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020 8331 9000• Live chat• courseinfo@gre.ac.uk•More information