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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process.
Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course
may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by July 2024 after
which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the
outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University
will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.
PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse)
Our PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) Degree Apprenticeship allows you to invest in your workforce by combining higher education, work-based learning and ongoing professional development. While working as a valuable member of your team, your apprentices can develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to make high-level clinical decisions in the practice setting and influence the provision of quality care.
Key information
Award:
PgDip
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
53 weeks
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
To be confirmed
Course Details
The University of Bolton's Level 7 PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) Degree Apprenticeship supports the development of confident, professional general practice nurses, able to develop and influence community healthcare practice within the ever-changing health, social and economic landscape. You can offer structured on-the-job training and a nationally recognised qualification in general practice nursing, helping you attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Your apprentices will be able to put their new skills and understanding into practice immediately, benefitting your organisation and the communities you serve without delay.
This programme has been fully mapped to the Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (NMC 2022) apprenticeship standard (ST1419). Studying at the University will complement learning in your workplace. We'll work with you to devise individual learning agreements for each of your apprentices, ensuring they fulfil the apprenticeship criteria and develop additional skills and knowledge valuable for your organisation.
Our passionate and knowledgeable staff will support your apprentices as they learn to build trusting relationships with individuals, carers and families, to positively influence their future health outcomes. Apprentices will learn to identify health needs and strengths and deliver timely, effective, evidence-based interventions, working in partnership with service users. Upon successfully completing this qualification, your apprentices will possess the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to perform as independent, highly competent, compassionate general practice nurses who can be trusted to use their professional autonomy to adapt and tailor their response to the health, safety and wellbeing needs of individuals, families and communities within diverse and changing contexts.
Highlights
The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)*, and on successful completion, your apprentices will be eligible to apply to register as community nurse specialist practitioners (general practice nurses)*. Please note that they must register within 5 years of successfully completing the programme. *Subject to approval
When apprentices successfully complete the end point assessment for this course, they will receive a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body and be awarded an academic degree – the PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) from the University of Bolton.
Face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support are offered by our professional expert academic tutors who come from a wide range of clinical and academic backgrounds.
Your apprentices will have access to facilities such as Clinical Simulation Suites, where they can practice skills and develop knowledge using clinical equipment and simulators.
We'll guide your apprentices as they gain key skills, values and behaviours, including professional curiosity, interpersonal and communication skills, initiative, leadership, research and critical reflection, partnership working, self-care and resilience, record keeping, and workload management.
During the final stage of the course, your apprentice will undertake a substantial work-based leadership project, the nature of which will be identified and developed through consultation between your organisation and the university. As well as offering your apprentice valuable experience, this live project can provide genuine insight into potential opportunities or improvements that can benefit your organisation.
Key Features
We'll support your apprentices as they learn to carry out the full range of duties required of a general practice nurse.
This integrated degree apprenticeship skilfully combines study in our vibrant higher education environment with practical and focused work-based learning and experience in your organisation.
Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work closely with your apprentices, providing them with tailored help and support on an individual basis throughout their studies.
Qualified healthcare practitioners contribute to each of the modules. They are invited as guest speakers so that apprentices have the opportunity to learn from their first-hand examples of current practice.
We also work to help your apprentices appreciate the views of health and social care service users and carers by involving them throughout the course.
Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their placement assessor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.
Professional recognition
The University of Bolton’s PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nursing) programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)*.
After successful completion of the course, apprentices will have their qualification recorded on the NMC's professional register*.
Successful apprentices will be awarded a PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) from the University of Bolton and a degree apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body.
*Subject to approval
This programme is open to qualified nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as first-level nurses who have an active entry at the time of application. Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.
Applicants must hold a degree qualification (or evidence equivalent experience) and have the ability to work at postgraduate academic level HE7.
An applicant must possess GCSEs in English and Mathematics at grade 4-9 (or grade C or above) or hold an equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
Experience in this specialist field is beneficial, although not essential.
Candidates will be required to attend an interview if their application is successfully short-listed. The interview process will involve an individual interview with a university member of staff, a representative from the sponsoring employer and a service user. Applicants will also be assessed on their values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills, and undertake a presentation or written assessment. Applicants will be asked to provide a portfolio of work/evidence in support of their application.
RP(E)L for exemptions from modules in this course. Any applications for accreditation of prior learning will be considered before admission, on an individual basis, by the RPL panel. Claims need to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes in theory and practice as defined within the specific module specification.
Apprentices who successfully complete this course will be awarded a PgDip in Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) and recognition by the Institute for Apprenticeships.
Applicants must satisfactorily pass occupational health screening before enrolment.
An applicant must provide satisfactory professional and academic references.
Apprentices will need to demonstrate that they are of good health and good character prior to enrolment and on an on-going basis throughout their studies and career.
Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, applicants should not have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship (Degree Level 6) unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The University of Bolton's Level 7 PgDip Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse) Degree Apprenticeship is designed to meet the degree apprenticeship standard for Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (NMC 2022) (ST1419). Regulated by the NMC, the standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates apprentices to care for patients with a wide range of health conditions. This course focuses on the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) and duties required for general practice nurses who provide health care at an advanced level of practice to people of all ages and communities, and across different organisations and settings.
Upon successfully completing this community nursing specialist practice qualification (SPQ), graduates will possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform as independent, highly competent, compassionate general practice nurses. Graduate apprentices will be able to develop, lead and manage activities that aim to promote health and social well-being, prevent health breakdown and improve ill health through working with individuals, families and communities. They will be able to help individuals and families take control of their lives and protect vulnerable members of society by promoting social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
Employers can expect them to have a wide range of transferable skills and supporting knowledge, including leadership, communication, enquiry, advocacy, critical reflection and analysis skills. They will be adept at planning and time management, rational decision-making, critical thinking, physical assessment, and possess excellent communication skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
This course is designed to support the development of future general practice nurses. Successful graduate apprentices will have their name recorded on the NMC's professional register as a Specialist Practitioner (General Practice Nurse)*.
Graduate apprentices will most likely be employed in professional general practice nursing posts in community health care settings, advancing practice and supporting the management of general practice care.
Upon successful completion of the end point assessment after completing the course, apprentices will be well prepared to pursue several career paths, such as leading a team and progressing to specialise in their chosen field as an advanced practitioner. Some nurses may go into management or clinical academic research.
On successfully completing the PgDip, graduate apprentices will be eligible to progress to the MSc Community Health Care Nursing (top-up), which comprises a 60-credit research dissertation module.
*Subject to approval
Course fees
Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.
For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices,
please e-mail apprentices@bolton.ac.uk.
Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our
Apprenticeship web page
for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the
restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in
September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our
Course Search.
Useful information
Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it will be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
Additional costs
There may be some additional or optional costs associated with this course. These will be published after approval of the programme.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
Course application details are unavailable at present
Course application details are unavailable at present
Course application details are unavailable at present
Modern healthcare professionals require a range of skills and values. Our tutors will work with your organisation to ensure your apprentices gain experience in various clinical scenarios designed to develop their skills in a safe and supportive environment. Learning focuses on your workplace environment and builds the transferable body of knowledge and skills required to achieve professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a general practice nurse and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will spend approximately 60% of their time in the workplace, with the other 40% of their time being devoted to off-the-job training and university learning. This will enable them to achieve the NMC requirements to enter the register* and fulfil the required level of off-the-job training specified for apprenticeships by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
The course explores the concepts of health and ill health within the adult population and the key elements in general practice nursing to meet the biological, psychological and social needs of the individual. Topics such as assessment, care management, leadership, health promotion and evidence-based practice are covered. Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of research and how its application in healthcare can transform the lives of patients and their carers, along with how to access and assess the latest research and incorporate their findings into care plans and intervention strategies.
We'll work to help your apprentices gain key transferable skills, including the ability to work independently and lead teams on innovative practice, adapt to changing circumstances, work in teams and groups, and listen and respond to customers and their needs. We'll also encourage them to develop planning and time management, rational decision-making, critical thinking, physical assessment and communication skills during their studies. We aim for your apprentices to grow into compassionate, kind and empathetic practitioners who respect and support patient privacy, dignity and individuality, and make safe and effective clinical decisions.
To complement lectures that introduce the course content, apprentices can engage in seminars and group-based activities that explore subjects in greater detail. Tutorials give them the opportunity to clarify their understanding of the topics we cover in lectures and seminars. We use case studies and practical scenarios to help apprentices apply their newly acquired academic knowledge to their general practice nursing practice and gain valuable insights into contemporary healthcare practice. Apprentices will also be expected to undertake considerable guided independent study; for instance, library research and background reading, preparing for seminar and tutorial activities and working on assignments.
To help support your apprentices' learning, we'll offer additional study skills sessions covering areas such as essay writing, numeracy, library skills and electronic searching. Inter-professional health and social care practitioners will also contribute as guest speakers, offering your apprentices the chance to further develop their knowledge and understanding in applying theory to practice.
A range of assessment methods will be used, including essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, set exercises via multiple-choice questions, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE), traditional examinations, and assessment of practice within the practice setting. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and where they need to seek extra support from course tutors.
*Subject to approval
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
