In focus: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) programme
About the programme
Our Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) programme, provides the opportunity to build upon existing nursing knowledge and advancing evidence-based practice, ultimately allowing registered nurses to specialise and pursue a career as a health visitor or school nurse.
Recognising excellence: Rachel’s story
Name: Rachel Henshall
Date of graduation: 2024
Previous role: Nurse within Cardiothoracic Intensive Care
Special recognition: Dora Roylance Memorial Prize
Rachel has a keen interest in public health and completed a two-month placement with the health visiting team as part of her nursing course. After graduating she went on to work in cardiothoracic intensive care for almost nine years.
After having her own baby during the COVID pandemic she saw first hand the impact that health visitors could have on families and decided to pursue the profession by applying for the course at Northumbria University.
Speaking on her decision to make the move into health visiting Rachel said: “As soon as I started in practice, I knew I had made the right decision to make the move into health visiting. Offering non-judgemental, individualised care is key for building relationships with families and as health visitors I feel we do this well in Newcastle.”
Described as very hard working, professional and having a positive influence on the work environment, Rachel is noted for taking time for informal supervision in office bases which supports the learning of the whole team.
Receiving the Dora Roylance Memorial Prize
This year (2024) one of Northumbria University’s Degree Apprenticeship students, graduating from the SCPHN course as a health visitor, Rachel Henshall, has been awarded a Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) award, recognising her outstanding performance while completing the programme.
The Dora Roylance Memorial Prize is an academic award available at every university in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland where the SCPHN Health Visitor programme is delivered. The universities’ programme leaders can nominate one outstanding student each year to receive the prize.
This year it was awarded to Rachel with her accomplishments duly recognised by the QNI. You can find out more about this award here.
Speaking on the award, Rachel said: “Words can’t describe how I feel about it! I honestly feel so proud of myself. I put so much effort into the course – university study and practice – and for it to be recognised with an award is incredible. I couldn’t be happier.”
A word from us
Jen Menzies is Assistant Professor for Nursing, Midwifery and Health and Programme Lead for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) at Northumbria University. She nominated Rachel this year and said: “Rachel has been a pleasure to teach and support from day one.
“She is committed and positive in her attitude to both work and study and has flourished gaining fabulous marks for an outstanding piece of work for her final assignment which she plans to take forward in her career in the 0-19 service. Rachel is a really special student in all respects.”
You can read more about Rachel’s journey here.
About Northumbria University
Northumbria University offer a wide range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships for similar courses, as well as a variety of other sector specific courses to take individuals to the next level in employment and skill level.
Speaking on her time at Northumbria University Rachel said: “I’ve now graduated three times from Northumbria University within nursing and from my experiences I can’t fault it."
“The SCPHN course was a tough 18 month apprenticeship but worth it to be where I am now. The lecturers were always available and really supportive and the small group I trained with all supported each other throughout university and practice placements.”
To learn more about how Northumbria can help you progress further in your career, and accomplish long-term goals, see our degree apprenticeship portfolio here or explore our Health and Social Care CPD and Higher and Degree Apprenticeship offering here.
