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REF 2021 Our Research environment is rated 100% world leadingThis full time 18-month supernumerary Higher Apprenticeship programme with opt-in MSc award will provide opportunities to develop understanding of specialist practice district nursing practice and capitalise on opportunities for applied learning within the context of practice.

Apprentices must be paid employees of a partner organisation: therefore, must be either an existing employee or new employee who has been recruited specifically to undertake the apprenticeship course. On the programme, apprentices will be part of a shared approach to learning that is tripartite between the apprentice as a learner, the employer, and the university. Apprentices will therefore combine academic studies with work-based development of specialist skills relating to district nursing. After successfully completing this programme, apprentices will be recognised as a Specialist Practice District Nurse, recorded on the third part of the NMC register. Apprentices may also receive a Master’s degree (or postgraduate diploma if you opt out of the Master’s dissertation) from the University of Northumbria. In addition, apprentices will receive a SPDN apprenticeship award on completion of the end point assessment (EPA) and summative practice progress meeting. The apprenticeship programme is annotated with the NMC to allow an apprentice to work as a Specialist Practice District Nurse.

Apprenticeship Standard

Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviours and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE. For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

Course Information

Level of Study
Postgraduate

Mode of Study
18 months full-time

Department
Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

Register your interest

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Admission onto a higher or degree apprenticeship can only take place if applicants are currently employed and their employer has a training agreement in place with Northumbria University.

Applicants should normally have:

A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a any subject.

Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and employed as a first level nurse.

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 7 in each component (or approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or Functional Skills English and Maths at level 2 and be able to provide evidence of these qualifications.

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

HA7000 -

Research and Evidence for Contemporary Practice (30 Credits)

This module forms part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Apprenticeship route) (SCPHN) and Specialist Practice District Nursing (Apprenticeship route). This Semester One module will build on your existing knowledge of evidence-based practice and its application to specialist community public health nursing and district nursing. You will develop the skills to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence, including research; theoretical concepts; practice knowledge; public health data; policies; guidelines and patient perspectives. Regarding research, you will develop key skills associated with literature review and appraisal, as well as a critical understanding of research paradigms and related methodology. You will be able demonstrate your research knowledge, understanding and skills through the design of a research proposal, focussing on an identified topic relating to public health practice. Importantly, you will explore concepts of best evidence and clinical expertise within the context of patient/client centred care, specifically patient preferences and values in relation to shared clinical decision-making. You will also develop and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences associated with specialist practice through clinical placement, underpinned by the clinical and managerial expertise of your practice assessor/supervisor and supported by your academic assessor. Through the collection and assessment of a variety of robust evidence sources, you will be able to demonstrate competency and successful completion of NMC and Apprenticeship standards related to your specific area of specialist practice.

More information

HA7003 -

Leading and Advancing Specialist Practice (20 Credits)

This module is for students on the MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) and MSc Specialist Practice District Nursing Apprenticeship routes.
This module will help you advance your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to leading and advancing practice in your specialist field of SCPHN (Health Visiting and School Nursing). You will have the opportunity to identify and audit an area of contemporary public health or professional practice from your specialist field. Audit is a quality improvement process, which seeks to improve service user care and outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. In completing an audit, you will source and critique a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership, and change theory and contextualise learning in order to prepare you for advancing and leading specialist practice. The module content will include, clinical audit approaches, leadership and change theory, development of strategic leadership skills and networking, promotion of research-based practice and integration of research and theory to practice. You will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours of resilience. You will have the opportunity to apply and relate what you learn on the module towards your academic assessment, which is the development and presentation of a poster and written abstract for use in your area of specialist practice based on the process and findings of your specific audit.

More information

HA7005 -

Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills (30 Credits)

This module focuses on advanced clinical skills assessment in specialist practice and is a core module for those students on MSc Specialist Practice District Nursing Apprenticeship programme. This is a practice focused module where you will strengthen and develop further your knowledge base in relation to body systems, which will include anatomy, physiology, and pathology in the context of clinical assessment. The module content acknowledges and supports notions of holism, and you will, therefore, address not only physical but psychological/social dimensions within clinical assessment, taking into consideration health needs and aspects of health promotion. You will advance your specialist knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in undertaking a comprehensive clinical assessment focusing on practice-based scenarios, within the simulation suite. You will also demonstrate your ability to accurately document your findings, identifying pertinent clinical and care solutions and effectively communicate these appropriately within the inter-professional team and service users.

More information

AC7066 -

Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) (40 Credits)

This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with your regulatory body (NMC or HCPC). The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.

More information

HA7000 -

Research and Evidence for Contemporary Practice (30 Credits)

This module forms part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Apprenticeship route) (SCPHN) and Specialist Practice District Nursing (Apprenticeship route). This Semester One module will build on your existing knowledge of evidence-based practice and its application to specialist community public health nursing and district nursing. You will develop the skills to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence, including research; theoretical concepts; practice knowledge; public health data; policies; guidelines and patient perspectives. Regarding research, you will develop key skills associated with literature review and appraisal, as well as a critical understanding of research paradigms and related methodology. You will be able demonstrate your research knowledge, understanding and skills through the design of a research proposal, focussing on an identified topic relating to public health practice. Importantly, you will explore concepts of best evidence and clinical expertise within the context of patient/client centred care, specifically patient preferences and values in relation to shared clinical decision-making. You will also develop and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences associated with specialist practice through clinical placement, underpinned by the clinical and managerial expertise of your practice assessor/supervisor and supported by your academic assessor. Through the collection and assessment of a variety of robust evidence sources, you will be able to demonstrate competency and successful completion of NMC and Apprenticeship standards related to your specific area of specialist practice.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

HA7000 -

Research and Evidence for Contemporary Practice (30 Credits)

This module forms part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Apprenticeship route) (SCPHN) and Specialist Practice District Nursing (Apprenticeship route). This Semester One module will build on your existing knowledge of evidence-based practice and its application to specialist community public health nursing and district nursing. You will develop the skills to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence, including research; theoretical concepts; practice knowledge; public health data; policies; guidelines and patient perspectives. Regarding research, you will develop key skills associated with literature review and appraisal, as well as a critical understanding of research paradigms and related methodology. You will be able demonstrate your research knowledge, understanding and skills through the design of a research proposal, focussing on an identified topic relating to public health practice. Importantly, you will explore concepts of best evidence and clinical expertise within the context of patient/client centred care, specifically patient preferences and values in relation to shared clinical decision-making. You will also develop and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences associated with specialist practice through clinical placement, underpinned by the clinical and managerial expertise of your practice assessor/supervisor and supported by your academic assessor. Through the collection and assessment of a variety of robust evidence sources, you will be able to demonstrate competency and successful completion of NMC and Apprenticeship standards related to your specific area of specialist practice.

More information

HA7003 -

Leading and Advancing Specialist Practice (20 Credits)

This module is for students on the MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) and MSc Specialist Practice District Nursing Apprenticeship routes.
This module will help you advance your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to leading and advancing practice in your specialist field of SCPHN (Health Visiting and School Nursing). You will have the opportunity to identify and audit an area of contemporary public health or professional practice from your specialist field. Audit is a quality improvement process, which seeks to improve service user care and outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. In completing an audit, you will source and critique a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership, and change theory and contextualise learning in order to prepare you for advancing and leading specialist practice. The module content will include, clinical audit approaches, leadership and change theory, development of strategic leadership skills and networking, promotion of research-based practice and integration of research and theory to practice. You will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours of resilience. You will have the opportunity to apply and relate what you learn on the module towards your academic assessment, which is the development and presentation of a poster and written abstract for use in your area of specialist practice based on the process and findings of your specific audit.

More information

HA7005 -

Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills (30 Credits)

This module focuses on advanced clinical skills assessment in specialist practice and is a core module for those students on MSc Specialist Practice District Nursing Apprenticeship programme. This is a practice focused module where you will strengthen and develop further your knowledge base in relation to body systems, which will include anatomy, physiology, and pathology in the context of clinical assessment. The module content acknowledges and supports notions of holism, and you will, therefore, address not only physical but psychological/social dimensions within clinical assessment, taking into consideration health needs and aspects of health promotion. You will advance your specialist knowledge, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in undertaking a comprehensive clinical assessment focusing on practice-based scenarios, within the simulation suite. You will also demonstrate your ability to accurately document your findings, identifying pertinent clinical and care solutions and effectively communicate these appropriately within the inter-professional team and service users.

More information

AC7066 -

Non-Medical Prescribing (V300) (40 Credits)

This module will facilitate your development of the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prescribing from a legally specified UK formulary. Successful completion of all components of the module will lead to the achievement of a recordable prescribing qualification with your regulatory body (NMC or HCPC). The subject areas you will study include assessing the patient and considering prescribing options, pharmacology for prescribing and de-prescribing, legal and regulatory frameworks, providing information, reaching shared decisions, monitoring and reviewing treatments, prescribing safely, professionally and as part of a team and improving prescribing practice.

More information

HA7000 -

Research and Evidence for Contemporary Practice (30 Credits)

This module forms part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Apprenticeship route) (SCPHN) and Specialist Practice District Nursing (Apprenticeship route). This Semester One module will build on your existing knowledge of evidence-based practice and its application to specialist community public health nursing and district nursing. You will develop the skills to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence, including research; theoretical concepts; practice knowledge; public health data; policies; guidelines and patient perspectives. Regarding research, you will develop key skills associated with literature review and appraisal, as well as a critical understanding of research paradigms and related methodology. You will be able demonstrate your research knowledge, understanding and skills through the design of a research proposal, focussing on an identified topic relating to public health practice. Importantly, you will explore concepts of best evidence and clinical expertise within the context of patient/client centred care, specifically patient preferences and values in relation to shared clinical decision-making. You will also develop and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences associated with specialist practice through clinical placement, underpinned by the clinical and managerial expertise of your practice assessor/supervisor and supported by your academic assessor. Through the collection and assessment of a variety of robust evidence sources, you will be able to demonstrate competency and successful completion of NMC and Apprenticeship standards related to your specific area of specialist practice.

More information

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.



Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support




All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

Current, Relevant and Inspiring

We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
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Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

At Northumbria University, our higher and degree apprenticeships are more than a learning programme; they are a partnership. We work with organisations to create courses that meet the demands of businesses.

 

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CPD and Short Courses

Our Continual Professional Development (CPD) courses are designed to open up exciting new possibilities for individuals and organisations. By increasing skills and knowledge and introducing new ways of thinking and working we create impact in performance at all levels.

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