Course Summary

These courses are designed to focus on healthcare and social care provision to individuals, groups and communities within specialist community services. The emphasis in practice is on developing your competence and confidence in assessing the needs of individuals, groups and communities, and working in partnership with them to make informed health choices. The courses at Masters level will equip you with the skills, knowledge and value base to enable you to function within the community and become an autonomous, reflective, evidence-based and innovative practitioner, as well as help you to deliver an effective, client-centred and holistic programme of care.

Why choose this course?

On successful completion of the course, you will be entered onto the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register as a qualified Public Health Nurse or as a District Nurse.

During the course you will:

• Experience supported practice placements in partnership with NHS Trusts
• Benefit from courses supported by nationally renowned research provided by the Institute for Health Research
• Experience innovative teaching, including web-based support and state-of-the-art learning environments
• Benefit from Nursing courses that have been ranked amongst the top 10 in the UK for teaching quality according to the Guardian University Guide 2011
• Learn in an environment rated as `outstanding for student support through our innovative personal lecturer scheme
• Study a dynamic course, led by experienced practitioners and lecturers
• Benefit from small-group teaching
• Be supported in practice by community practice teachers and mentors
• Be taught by experts with a wealth of specialist knowledge and skills in community-based nursing

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Assessments and interventions in public health practice
• Promoting public health
• Leadership and management in public health practice
• Service improvement and innovation
• Nurse prescribing

MSPSNHAF

Assessment

The assessment strategies are varied to maximise your potential to gain a good overall attainment and are innovative to match the framework of this exciting course of study. You will be guided to achieve success, with indication to your strengths and limitations. The assessment strategy is designed to assist you to acquire a robust and varied range of skills and knowledge that are equitable to all students learning styles and to prepare you for the range of activities you will engage in on completion of the course. These include problem based learning, written assignments, practical examinations, oral examinations and poster presentations.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you will be able to:

1. Independently evaluate relevant research and practice, including the ability to synthesise information from a range of sources and the capacity to deal with complexity in order to critically analyse, evaluate and integrate relevant literature and experiences in order to enhance public health practice, through assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care required by individuals, groups and populations.

2. Select and implement a range of public health nursing skills pertinent to your chosen field of practice taking account psychosocial and biological needs.

3. Analyse and debate evidence on which care interventions are based in order to promote, evaluate and design interventions, critically developing and constructing effective key questioning techniques to enhance communication skills and establish professional reasoning.

4. Practise autonomously in a safe, accurate and effective way, organising and managing the public health interventions for individuals, groups and populations.

5. Critically explore, analyse and synthesise the dynamic features of good inter-agency working that supports individuals, groups and populations.

6. Demonstrate sensitivity and understanding in relation to culture and religious values, beliefs, abilities and needs of individuals, groups and populations, promoting the integration of these minorities.

7. Review, demonstrate and critically evaluate what it means to be a professional, and the implications and requirements of responsibility, accountability, mastery and autonomy.

8. Review, analyse, implement and synthesise technological advances, clinical governance and related local and national policies in specialist community public health nursing, evaluating and challenging the political contexts of care in order to inform practice.

9. Act autonomously in planning and managing the learning process and in reviewing and meeting your own learning and development needs and those of others.

10. Achieve the principles and domains as required by the Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (NMC 2004).

External Benchmarking

When developing this course the following key external benchmarking documents helped shape the curriculum document:

• Essence of Care (DoH, 2001)


• NHS Next Stage Review, High Quality Care for All (Darzi

Report, DH 2008)

• The Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) (DoH,2004)


• The Standards of Proficiency for Specialist Community Public

Health Nursing (NMC 2004)

Please note there are currently no QAA benchmarks available for nursing related masters programmes.

Educational Aims

The aims of this course are to:

• Prepare you to meet the standards of proficiency as set out by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 20042)


• Provide advanced broad-based education and develop your general intellectual competence to the level of eligibility for an award of Postgraduate Diploma or Master of Science conferred by the University of Bedfordshire


• Ensure you are prepared to practice safely and effectively to such an extent that the protection of the public is assured

Student support

A first degree in an appropriate subject-related discipline of a minimum 2.2 honours classification or equivalent.

Must be live on the nursing or midwifery register held by the NMC.

Have completed a period of experience of sufficient length to have consolidated pre-registration outcomes and to have gained a deeper understanding in relevant professional practice, usually 2 years.

Team working

Team working is promoted throughout the Masters level units. You will be actively involved in group work and be encouraged to develop relationships with staff and your peers to facilitate your learning.

Career Management Skills

The course provides a student- focused process for integrating personal, academic and career development. You are encouraged to undertake self assessment to identify your strengths, interests and development needs in relation to your learning needs.

Through negotiation with your personal tutor you will be enabled to identify your areas of interest and the areas in which you feel you need to develop. Towards the end of your studies you will be actively supported and advised regarding potential career development.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Specialist Community Public Health Nursing as a School Nurse

Further study:

Each student will be expected to complete a Portfolio of Evidence to demonstrate progression and encouraged to retain a reflective journal in relation to their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Life - long learning.

Access to Career / Educational Guidance:

Each student will be encouraged to complete a self audit in terms of their academic / career aspirations and opportunities available to them.

Entry

Additional:

• A first degree in an appropriate subject-related discipline of a minimum 2.2 honours classification or equivalent.


• Must be live on the nursing or midwifery register held by the NMC

Have completed a period of experience of sufficient length to have consolidated pre-registration outcomes and to have gained a deeper understanding in relevant professional practice, usually 2 years.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire.

Teaching Strategy

The units available to you offer a range of different teaching strategies in order to respond to the learning needs of a graduate student cohort. These strategies include lectures, seminars, group work, e-learning, practicals, case studies, discussions / debates, workshops, games, role play, problem based learning. This ensures that all students have the opportunity to learn in an environment that facilitates recognition of learning needs and suits their learning style. Learning will take place in a variety of environments including:

• Classroom


• Practical room/ Skills Lab


• Work place


• Library Learning spaces


• Social Spaces e.g. CETL


• Practice areas

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

The Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Students with disabilities

Students will have access to Student Services and will be encouraged to actively seek any assistance they require in order to have needs met in relation to a disability they may have. Students will be able to access further advice and support from the Disability Advice Team.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Work collaboratively with your personal tutor, practice teacher and peers


• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to achieve the outcomes of your assignments


• Show accurate and fluent use of language in presenting information

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Use recommended databases to access information


• Produce written and verbal assignments


• Carry out effective internet and database searching and referencing

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Independently evaluate research and associated methodologies


• Synthesise information from relevant sources

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Autonomously synthesise information and ideas and propose new hypotheses


• Create new approaches to ideas


• Respond to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge

Improving learning and performance

The ethos underpinning this course is one of personalised learning. Personalised learner development is a key feature of the Universitys distinctive curriculum, the purpose of which is to develop the identity of the learner, their self-awareness and their preparedness for future opportunities.

In order to meet the ethos of personalised learning the course teams strategy for engaging you in your own learning and development and for making you more aware of how you learn, is as follows:

• You will be given formative and summative feedback on your continuing development and will be encouraged to reflect on your progress. This will engage you in the process of using assessment feedback


• You will be actively involved in the assessment process


• You will be given greater responsibility for your own development. This process will be supported by a personal tutor


• A variety of teaching sessions and workshops are offered for you to explore your self -awareness and identify which modes of learning best develop your skills and knowledge whether cognitive, skill based or discussing beliefs and values that are of concern to you and others


• You will be encouraged to participate in active discussion and offer feedback on course content to determine whether your identified learning needs were met


• You will be supported by one-to one tutorials to facilitate and guide professional and personal development


• You will engage with self directed learning and guided study in order to allow you to be largely autonomous in planning and managing the learning process and in reviewing and meeting your own learning needs

Progress files

A progress file will be kept on each student outlining their progression. This will take the form of a summary of your progression in meeting the learning outcomes of individual units in the theory and practice components. This will be implemented through the personal tutor system. You will be expected to meet with your personal tutor at least once per unit.

You are encouraged to keep and update regularly a reflective diary and portfolio of evidence to monitor and evaluate your progress. You will have the opportunity to evaluate this progress on completion of each unit to identify further professional and personal development for career progression. You will be expected to keep a paper-based or e-portfolio which will be monitored through the personal tutor system.

Professional standards

Professional attitudes are important to enable engagement in the world beyond the University. It is expected therefore that you will adopt behaviours and attitudes that reflect a sense of professionalism in how you approach different learning opportunities and situations. In return the course team will respond positively towards this. The student and staff are therefore expected to do the following:

Student:

• Be punctual for session and tutorials


• Respect the learning environment and others in the group


• Inform the course lead or personal tutor if you are unable to attend a class or tutorial meeting


• Take the lead in your learning and development


• Follow university policies and procedures especially in relation to the writing and submission of assessments

Staff:

• Inform the student in advance if you need to cancel a session or tutorial


• Respond to email within 5 working days unless on leave


• Ensure assessment results are published on the expected date


• Promote a learning environment that facilitates mutual respect

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

As students are already registered practitioners the concept of professional standards will be reviewed in their induction programme. Adherence to these standards will be monitored by the course leader who will liaise with the personal tutors. If there are any issues that need to be addressed the personal tutor will document this in the progress files and contact the student to discuss the issues further. The student will be offered support to address the issues. However any persistent non-adherence to these professional standards may result in the student being discontinued from the course.