Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (School Nurse) - BSc (Hons) / PgDip
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
Do you have a desire become a School Nurse? The Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) course is aimed at registered nurses or midwives who wish to develop their knowledge and skills within the context of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (School Nursing).
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award BSc (Hons) / PgDip
- Start date September 2023, February 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Overview
Do you have a desire become a School Nurse? The Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) course is aimed at registered nurses or midwives who wish to develop their knowledge and skills within the context of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (School Nursing).
What's covered in this course?
SCPHN practitioners are uniquely placed to reach, children, young people, families and communities. Being supported by academic assessors, practice assessors, and practice supervisors (NMC, 2018) students will develop skills that enable them to work collaboratively, ensuring support for children, young people and families is effective and proportionate to need.
Underpinned by research and evidence the SCPHN course provides a range of learning opportunities which encourage students to; become autonomous practitioners in public health; adopt a life course approach to their developing practice and to develop skills to effect change that reduce health inequalities.
Students will reflect their knowledge and skill development by achievement of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (NMC, 2004). The NMC SCPHN standards include four domains, which require SCPHN practitioners to search for health needs; stimulate an awareness of health needs; influence policies affecting health and facilitate health enhancing activities in different public health settings.
On successful completion of this course students are eligible for registration by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) on the third part of the register (specialist community public health nurse) and can prescribe from the community practitioners formulary (V100).
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- We’ll prepare you to enter a practice-based profession. It is designed to produce knowledgeable and skilled practitioners responsible for the health needs of various client groups across different settings of public health practice.
- The course is 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice
- The course is delivered full-time up to a maximum of 156 weeks and facilitates flexibility with a 'step-on-step-off' approach.
- 52 weeks (minimum) full-time
- We accept direct applications to University and to seconding Trusts (visit NHS Careers for adverts)
- Theory and practice is integrated throughout the programme,with 10 weeks of consolidated practice at the end of your course
- Supported in practice by experienced practice teachers and mentors
- Available at both BSc (Hons) and Postgraduate Diploma level
- The School’s collaborative work with employers and trust colleagues means your studies reflect the hands-on operations of contemporary practice.
- By joining us, you’ll be enrolling in the region’s largest provider of qualified health and social care professionals to the NHS.
OPEN DAY
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Event: Autumn 2023
Entry Requirements
UK students
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First level registration with the NMC (one year's post-registration experience ideal) If awaiting confirmation of registration, there must be evidence of successful completion of a pre-registration nursing or midwifery programme and evidence of application for NMC registration |
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To access BSc (Hons): you need the equivalent of 240 credits of which 120 must be at level 5 (higher diploma level). |
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To access PG Diploma: if you have previously studied at level 6, you may be eligible for entry onto the postgraduate award. Please contact our Academic Development Department (ADD) or the Programme Director for further information. |
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It is essential that students secure a secondment opportunity or fixed term contract with an employing organisation before applying. |
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Enhanced DBS and Occupational Health Clearance is required prior to course entry. |
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £9,250 in 2023/24
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Feb 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
Award: PgDip
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
Award: PgDip
Starting: Feb 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
This course is not available to International Students
Please note: All communication from the University is sent via email. Please ensure that you supply an email address on your application form that you check regularly.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Level 6
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
A recognised and well-defined professional end-point across all health care professions is the ability to reliably inform one’s practice, and enhance the quality of professional judgement. Developing professional judgement and decision-making skills are now well-embedded objectives across most professional programmes. In this context, this module aims to develop decision-making skills based on available evidence. This contemporary approach to decision-making and developing such skills are core objectives to most professional groups. Hence, the application and assessment of this module can be tailored to all health and social care programmes.
This module aims to introduce the principles and practice of Specialist Community Public Health (Health Visiting) and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for safe and effective clinical practice. Working with defined individuals, families and groups to enhance health visiting practice and promote lifelong learning is encouraged. Students will explore factors affecting health and factors that may affect the development and progress of children.
This module is designed to produce knowledgeable and skilled Specialist Community Public Health Nurse practitioners who are confident to carry out their specific responsibility for safeguarding all vulnerable people within their role. The module will evaluate the collaborative and multi-agency skills required to successfully work with agencies and professionals to ensure the safeguarding of all they work with.
Developing leadership is an integral part of the Government’s Modernisation Agenda and a central element of the NHS Plan (DOH 2000) Our Health, Our Care, and Our Say (DoH 2006), in that service provision must be dictated by the needs of the population not the system in setting direction and delivering services. Driving forward the Public Community Health agenda requires first class leaders with personal qualities that support and develop staff and empower populations.
This module contributes to the philosophy of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) course and aims to consolidate the knowledge, skills, and practice competence required of a SCPHN. The module will enable students to demonstrate achievement of the standards required by the NMC (2004) for SCPHN. This will involve analysing and identifying relevant issues in professional practice and applying knowledge. The module is underpinned by evidence, enabling students to contribute safely and effectively, maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of children, families and communities.
The programme philosophy is one which advocates the importance of developing knowledge and skills necessary to be responsive to the changing demands in primary care. This module is consistent with this philosophy since it aims to provide students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills to prescribe safely and effectively from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for Community Practitioners.
This OPTIONAL module can be completed in place of prescribing should your employing Trust deem this more suitable.
This module is designed to produce knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who are confident to carry out their role in relation to the sexual health of the school aged children and adolescents in their practice area. As such it aims to develop the practitioner to meet the challenges presented in this area of their practice.
Level 7
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module addresses specific aspects of theory and practice in research. The aim of this module is to provide a flexible programme of research design and evidence based practice that enables students to satisfy their individual learning needs to extend skills in the analysis and evaluation of specific research designs and their contribution to evidence in practice. It should contribute to personal and professional development and foster independent study regarding the development of practice. It is envisaged that this module will also help prepare the participant to undertake a research dissertation, systematic review, or to provide a conceptual frame of reference in the development of a leadership project. To facilitate this, each student will negotiate the summative assessment with the module leader.
This module aims to introduce the principles and practice of Specialist Community Public Health (Health Visiting) and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for safe and effective clinical practice. Working with defined individuals, families and groups to enhance health visiting practice and promote lifelong learning is encouraged. Students will explore factors affecting health and factors that may affect the development and progress of children.
This module is designed to produce knowledgeable and skilled Specialist Community Public Health Nurse practitioners who are confident to carry out their specific responsibility for safeguarding all vulnerable people within their role. The module will evaluate the collaborative and multi-agency skills required to successfully work with agencies and professionals to ensure the safeguarding of all they work with.
Developing leadership is an integral part of the Government’s Modernisation Agenda and a central element of the NHS Plan (DH 2000), and Our Health, Our Care, Our Say (DH 2006); in that service provision must be dictated by the needs of the population not the system in setting direction and delivering services. Driving forward the Public Community Health agenda requires first class leaders with personal qualities that support and develop staff and empower populations.
This single module is designed for registered first level nurses and midwives who are undertaking their NMC approved Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) or district nursing specialist practitioner qualification (SPQ). It will enable development of safe, competent and knowledgeable prescribing practice from the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for Community Practitioners. It will develop professional knowledge; skills; understanding; analysis and theoretical frameworks of prescribing working within your scope of practice.
This module contributes to the philosophy of the Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) course and aims to consolidate the knowledge, skills, and practice competence required of a SCPHN. The module will enable students to demonstrate achievement of the standards required by the NMC (2004) for SCPHN. This will involve analysing and identifying relevant issues in professional practice and applying knowledge. The module is underpinned by evidence, enabling students to contribute safely and effectively, maintaining and improving the health and wellbeing of children, families and communities.
This OPTIONAL module can be completed in place of prescribing should your employing Trust deem this more suitable.
This module is designed to produce knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who are confident to carry out their role in relation to the sexual health of the school-aged children and adolescents in their practice area. As such it aims to develop the practitioner to meet the challenges presented in this area of their practice.
Course structure
The aim of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) course is to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to provide leadership and innovation in community public health.
The wider aims are to improve population health, in particular the health of children, young people and families, and to prevent illness and are based upon the four guiding principles with the NMC Standards of Proficiency for SCPHNs (NMC, 2004)
How will I be assessed?
A variety of assessment methods are used to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding. The assessment methods are designed to enable students to apply theory to their developing SCPHN practice; develop critical thinking and analysis skills and to achieve the required level of internalisation (Steinaker and Bell, 1989) in their field of Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN).
Assessment methods used include formative assessments such as group work – presentations; professional skills profile; self-assessments; midpoint placement assessment; quizzes. A range of summative assessments are used such as essays; invigilated exams; presentations and practice assessment documents (SCPHN and V100).
This course is accredited by:
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
This course will give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and move into more senior roles.
Diane Edkins was working as a school nurse and was hesitant to take on a degree, despite it being the logical step in improving her employability. Once she started studying the course, however, she completely changed her mind.
“I thought the teaching was excellent, as were the facilities. I had lots of support, whether it be in assignment writing, using electronic resources or solving a personal issue.
“The course helped my career, as I have been promoted to a higher band within school nursing. I am not sure what my plans for the future are, but I feel I now have more choices due to undertaking this course.”
Placements
A placement is your chance to be a part of the working world of health and social care as it really is: your first taste of your career.
As part of the course, you will undertake a valuable work placement. It’ll not only help your confidence, but will also help you put theory from the classroom into practice. We make sure you get a quality experience and that you are fully supported by a workplace mentor on hand throughout your placement.
Facilities & Staff
We have invested £340 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.
Mock Wards
These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four-six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.
These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.
The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites
The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.
These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.
Home Environment Room
This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.
Assisted Living Space
This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.
Assisted Kitchen
This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.
Physiotherapy Room
This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.
Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite
Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.
Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite
These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.
VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training
This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.
Radiotherapy
This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.
Telehealth Room
This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with five small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Imaging Academy
This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the Midlands Imaging Academy Hub, funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.
Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room
Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.
Ultrasound simulation suite
You have access to a wide range of Ultrasound simulation equipment to develop your clinical skills and aid in training. The equipment includes two ultrasound machines with a range of phantoms, scan training stations and eve body works.
Our staff
Laura Maguire
Senior Lecturer – Post Qualifying Practice Department
Laura’s professional background is in midwifery and health visiting. She has worked in both hospital and community settings, here in the UK and in Australia. She joined Birmingham City University in 2014 as a PhD student and Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant (GRTA). Her interests include offering excellence in teaching and...
More about Laura