PG Dip Specialist Practitioner: Community Children's Nursing

Why study this course with LJMU?

The Specialist Practitioner Community Children's Nursing qualification has been designed to equip learners with the knowledge and specialist skills to work as a SPQ CCN. The course will develop autonomous specialist practitioners who will be prepared to address the unique challenges of practice (beyond those of professional registration) to manage greater clinical complexity and risk, both in terms of the children, young people and families they care for, the caseloads they manage and the services they work within to address complex situations, advocating for individuals, families and communities. The course is delivered alongside the postgraduate diploma SPQ District Nursing and SCPHN School Nurse/Health Visitor.

About this course

Study at LJMU to complete a Specialist Practice Qualification in Community Children's Nursing with Integrated Supplementary and Non-Medical Prescribing (V300). This programme leads to recordable NMC qualifications in Specialist Practice and Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing.

• Study for a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recordable qualification in Community Children's Nursing
• Learn from expert nurses and specialists on this contemporary course
• Benefit from a curriculum praised by the NMC for its enhanced practice perspective and outstanding fitness for practice
• Have your professional competencies (NMC, 2022) assessed in theory and practice
• Experience practice placements

The key principles covered in the course include:

• advanced communication and clinical skills
• meeting the needs of culturally diverse communities
• effective collaboration with stakeholders
• advocating the rights and needs of vulnerable populations
• recognising public health needs
• addressing inequalities and compassionate leadership.

Please note: This course will only run subject to minimum numbers.

These principles are underpinned by the seven platforms of specialist practice (NMC, 2022) and enable community children’s nurses to make autonomous decisions, in situations that require them to manage greater clinical complexity and risk, both in terms of the people they care for, the caseloads they manage and the services they work within, which in turn may be integrated with other agencies, professionals and disciplines.

Academic research and theoretical perspectives contribute to the generation of innovative practice development and the extension of professional roles. This programme is therefore designed to create critically reflective and responsive practitioners who will synthesise new knowledge to develop practice within the dynamic political context of children and young people’s health and social care. Practitioners will be prepared for future leadership roles in multi-professional, multi-agency teams who will work in increasingly complex environments.

Specialist practitioner students are aspiring to the role of a specialist practitioner community children’s nurse who is required to undertake additional education to ensure safe and effective practice within complex and sensitive settings whilst working with children, young people and their families. It is their personal and professional responsibility to do so and the course facilitates this within legal, ethical and competency frameworks related to practice. Valuing and challenging previous experiences prepares students to exercise higher levels of clinical autonomy within a framework of patient-led partnerships to meet the diverse needs of children and young people and their families.

Course modules

Core modules

• Advancing Public Health, Evidence based Practice and Application (20 credits)
  • This module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work as a public health practitioner in the community setting within your field of practice.
  • It introduces the discipline of public health and the use of evidence to improve services. You will also learn how public policy can influence health needs and service development. The wider determinants of health and health inequalities will be examined in detail. Principles and concepts of health promotion will also be covered.
• Advancing Leadership and Management (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enhance your skills and knowledge, enabling you to take a central role in the development of practice within your working environment.
  • It will also provide an opportunity for you to engage in debate and discussion, so you can identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader within your organisation.
  • You will further consider how you can influence and inspire others at both a local, regional, national and international level.
• Advancing specialist practice qualification community children's nursing (40 credits)
  • To help the student to maximise learning opportunities and experiences within specialist community children's nursing practice. There is a necessity for the student to be exposed to wider, complex issues within the community and how to strategically plan for care delivery.
• Paediatric Clinical Examination and Minor Illness (20 credits)
  • This module will centre on the major physiological systems and build upon students’ prior knowledge and expertise. This will inform greater understanding of the causes and management of common childhood illnesses, and their diagnosis. Wider determinants of health and associated risk factors will be considered to inform decision making and ensure safe practice. Issues related to professional development and advancing clinical practice will be discussed.

Optional modules

• Negotiated work-based learning (20 credits)
  • To enable SPQ students to maximise learning opportunities and experiences relevant to their own area of work in order to facilitate practice, career and professional development
• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (20 credits)
  • Aimed at healthcare professionals registered with the HCPC & NMC, this module enables you to prescribe, safely, appropriately and cost-effectively as independent and/or supplementary prescribers, in accordance with both legal and professional requirements.
  • The module will prepare you to:
    • complete an assessment of a patient/client/service users whilst developing a management plan in relation to their diagnosis/differential diagnosis.
    • complete an episode of care through prescribing or deprescribing safety

Professional accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

An insight into teaching on your course

• Study hours
  • The timetable comprises 40% theory and 60% practice.
  • Module teaching is on two, and, very occasionally, three specified days of the week. The university day usually runs from 9.30am to 4pm and some sessions can be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Practice days are planned for most weeks throughout the course timetable.
• Teaching methods
  • An important element of the programme is to recognise and utilise the current skills of the students and to build on these competencies. Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences and to network both within their peer group and externally. The teaching and learning activities will build on student experiences and will facilitate and encourage further development of existing theoretical and professional knowledge.
  • The use of interactive lectures and seminars, group work and problem based learning techniques help identify existing skills and, at the same time, encourage students to develop and tailor their portfolio of competencies to meet present and future challenges.
• Applied learning
  • Students are encouraged to spend time working in other alternative practice areas when they are on placement. This will support students to develop key knowledge and skills that will support their future practice as a community children's nurse. These may include, but are not limited to, a children's hospice, a special school, A&E, a children's walk-in centre or a neo-natal unit. Tailoring your practice learning when on placement will enable you to build up a network of contacts and a greater appreciation of your role a specialist practitioner community children's nurse and how this integrates into the complex, wider provision of children's health and social care.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

The School of Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes.

The School's wide-ranging portfolio of cutting-edge postgraduate courses enables you to enhance your existing skills in the field of health and social care, develop specialised knowledge and expertise and improve your long-term job prospects.

All courses meet the needs of the current healthcare agenda and the growing demand from this ever-evolving sector for increasingly skilled healthcare professionals.

Each programme is informed by cutting edge research, ensuring you have the opportunity to study the latest developments alongside world class experts.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

Full-time per year:

• £9,580

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.

Financial Support

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

You will need:

Home

Qualification requirements

• Undergraduate degree
  • In a relevant nursing subject
  • Consideration will be given to applicants who have evidence of successful Level 6 or Level 7 study

Additional requirements

• Relevant work experience
  • Must be registered as a Children's Nurse (level 1) on the NMC Register, with a minimum of 1 year post registration experience.

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • Please note: Students wishing to undertake the V300 element of this programme must also be deemed competent by, and obtain permission and support from their employer. All students who wish to undertake V300 Non-Medical Prescribing will have to complete an additional 'North West Non-Medical Prescribing Application form' which will be approved by the prescribing programme team prior to commencement on the NMP programme.
• RPL
  • RPL of up to 40 level 7 credits is allowed on this programme

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

You will apply for the course directly with your NHS Trust. Self-funding students will need to contact the programme lead directly via email.

Additional interview requirements

Applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the programme. You will be asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation; the title will be given to you two weeks prior to your interview date.

You will also need to provide an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Practice and an understanding of the community children's nursing role.

The portfolio should include relevant, practice reflections (NMC revalidation documents are accepted). You must also demonstrate that you will be able to adapt to student status.

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Overview:

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is a public university located in Liverpool, England. It is a large and diverse institution with a strong focus on providing high-quality education and research opportunities.

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Services Offered:

LJMU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus accommodation options are available for students.

Student Support:

The university provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career counseling, financial aid, and mental health resources.

Library:

LJMU has a well-equipped library with extensive resources and study spaces.

Student Futures:

This service helps students with career planning, job searching, and employability skills development.

International Student Support:

Dedicated support is available for international students, including visa guidance and cultural adjustment programs.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

LJMU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience for its students. Key aspects include:

Sports, Societies, and Lifestyle:

Students can participate in a wide range of sports clubs, societies, and social events.

Campus:

The university has multiple campuses located in Liverpool, providing a diverse and stimulating environment.

Go Abroad:

LJMU offers opportunities for students to study abroad and gain international experience.

Volunteering:

Students can engage in volunteering activities and contribute to the local community.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Reputation:

LJMU is known for its high-quality teaching and research.

Diverse Programs:

The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Location:

Liverpool is a vibrant and culturally rich city, providing students with a stimulating and enjoyable living experience.

Student Support:

LJMU provides comprehensive support services to ensure student success.

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Academic Programs:

LJMU offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Undergraduate:

Bachelor's degrees in various fields, including business, law, health sciences, engineering, and the arts.

Postgraduate:

Master's degrees, PhD programs, and other postgraduate qualifications.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Programs that combine work experience with academic study.

Continuing Professional Development:

Short courses and programs for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.