Features of the programme:
- The programme is 50% theory and 50% practice within Community Learning Disability Nursing under the supervision of a qualified Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor
- The programme can be studied full time over 52 weeks or part time over 104 weeks / Distance Learning
- The programme can be studied at BSc (Hons) if you hold a Diploma or at Post-Graduate Diploma if you hold a degree (1st or 2:1 classification) and wants to advance to level 7 (Master’s level)
- Successful students will have a specialist practitioner qualification recorded with the NMC
Graduate destinations
Successful students have typically progressed their career into Community Learning Disability Nursing Sister/Charge Nurse; Team Leader; Clinical Service Manager with some students choosing to develop their careers within other NHS specialist roles.
Course outline
Course summary
The University of Cumbria and your NHS Health Trust are offering secondments to Registered Nurses who wish to advance their academic knowledge and professional skills to expert specialist level within Community Learning Disability Nursing.
The degree programme aims to enable Registered Nurses to attain the competency and expertise as Specialist Practitioners defined by the NMC 2001 Standards for Specialist Education and Practice. Emphasis is placed upon the development of critical and analytical skills with a reflective approach to professional practice.
The CSP Programme has been planned and developed in conjunction with Managers, Professional Educational Facilitators, Practice Teachers and previous students.
Staff
Highly regarded by students and practice placement partners for our teaching in this area, the University of Cumbria has a strong reputation for its Community Learning Disability Nursing training. You will work with skilled academics who hold CLDN.
Modules
Year 1
Leading and Advancing Community Learning Disability Nursing (40 credits)
This module is assessed by successful completion of all NMC Proficiencies and completion of a 10,000-word Portfolio (CORE MODULE)
Contemporary Approaches and Fundamental Principles of Safeguarding across the Lifespan (20 credits)
This module is assessed by assignment. (CORE MODULE)
Contemporary Leadership and Management of Change for Community Specialist Practitioners (20 credits)
This module is assessed by assignment and presentation. (CORE MODULE)
BSc (Hons) University Award Independent/Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses and Midwives (40 credits)
This module is assessed by examinations in numeracy and pharmacology; assignment and Viva oral examination (OPTIONAL MODULE)
Negotiated Learning for Community Specialist Practitioners (40 credits)
This module is assessed by assignment. (OPTIONAL MODULE)
Programme Specification
Programme specification (PDF)
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Full details are available in the programme specification.
Timetables
The teaching timetable should be available from the end of August. Access to the timetable is through the Student Hub – you will be able to access the Student Hub after you have completed online registration. The teaching day is 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; please keep your other commitments open until confirmation of your teaching timetable, and bear in mind that many courses will offer placements or fieldwork which sometimes extends into the evenings and weekends.
Entry requirements
Have a question about our entry requirements?
Entry Requirements
Selection criteria
Each candidate will have to meet the selection criteria to apply
- Be registered with the NMC
- Have at least 120 credits at level 5 (Project 2000 students awarded Diploma which is 120 level 5 credits)
- Preferable recent study at level 5 or 6
- Be seconded from a Health Trust or be sponsored if applying externally
Application information
Candidates will apply through their organisation internal vacancies for the course. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to a selection process which will involve a literacy test; group discussion or presentation and formal interview which will consist of Managers from your organisation and academic from the University.
Student finance
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.
Student FinanceAdditional costs
Resources and facilities
The University Library has a collection of books, ebooks and access to all of the electronic journals that will support your learning. In addition, there are a comprehensive selection of discipline specific resources within your module Blackboard sites. In addition, you will have all of the resources and facilities of the Library and private study areas with access to PCs including laptops.
Our facilities within the Institute of Health include state of the art clinical simulation suites and clinical skills labs as well as clinical skills software (clinicalskills.net) and a wide range of library and e-resources specifically for nursing.
