Public Health (Specialist Community Public Health Nursing) - BSc(Hons)

During the course you will gain experiences in a range of different settings and areas of professional practice through collaborative working and inter-professional learning covering the following areas:

• In settings and with age groups that are central to the responsibilities for the defined area of practice, health visiting, school nursing or occupational health nursing.
• Working with disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, health inequalities and factors that contribute to health and wellbeing.
• Working with age groups considered as either important or that may be a potential area of responsibility even if not central to the areas of responsibility.
• Completing 60 days of consolidated practice within your defined area of practice which can be completed on a full-time basis over 12 weeks or on a part-time basis over 24 weeks.

The practice element of the course is divided into two parts, taught and consolidated.

A period of consolidation provides an opportunity for you to focus on your specific profession, building on the previous experiences developed through the course and in practice. This period allows time for prioritisation of workload, development of proficiency, and fitness for practice as a safe, accountable and effective practitioner.

The course is 50% theory to practice with designated time in the university as well as in practice with a coordinating Practice Teacher.

Level 3 Modules

• Public Health and Health Promotion
• Principles of Evidence Based Public Health
• Professional Perspectives in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing
• Leadership and Enterprise

Plus one of the following optional modules.

• Promoting the Health of School-aged Children in the Community
• Workplace health and well-being
• V100 Prescribing Practice

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

A range of teaching and learning methods are used including formal lectures, seminars, enquiry-based and online learning, project work, individual self-directed study and assignment preparation. Students are encouraged to draw on their own and colleagues' existing experience in the learning process.

To facilitate learning in practice you will be allocated a practice teacher who is qualified in your chosen practice area (health visiting or school nursing), by the seconding or sponsoring health organisation.

Underpinning study themes include:

• Critical reflection on practice and learning
• Self-evaluation and professional development planning
• Leading teams and managing change
• Multi-disciplinary team working
• Interprofessional and inter agency working
• Need assessment, planning and evaluation of practice
• Service development
• Group working and teaching
• Critical evaluation and utilisation of research in practice
• Critical evaluation of policy and its implementation in practice

Computer skills are vital for your academic studies. At UWE computing is an integral part of your course - many lecturers make lecture notes and materials available online. Some modules will require you to use information technology to help you undertake and present your work. IT facilities are available on all campuses. At the main Frenchay Campus there is 24-hour access to computing facilities, and the Department offers help and support throughout your course.

Prior to commencing your course of study you may find it helpful to familiarise yourself with some core IT skills:

• Basic word processing
• Storing and retrieving files
• Communicating via e-mail
• Searching the web for information, e.g. online shopping, booking a holiday

There is also a range of information and resources that includes interactive exercises to support study skills on the Department website.

Modules are assessed by a range of methods including: case studies, oral presentations, professional practice portfolios and written examinations.