The General Practice Nursing course supports the General Practice Nurse in adapting to working in the exciting healthcare setting of Primary Care. Our newly refreshed and revised innovative course will enable the development of knowledge, further their understanding of their role, enhance their GPN clinical skills and leadership.

This innovative course will enable the development of Primary Care Nursing knowledge, working with a Primary Care Team to deliver individual and population health services, including health screening, health prevention and monitoring and health maintenance across the life span and a range of health conditions.  

This course is an excellent innovative and exciting opportunity for General Practice Nurses, who have recently joined General Practice and working within the Dorset and Hampshire regions to develop skills in the management of clients as a General Practice Nurse. The course has a range of specialist practitioners working in primary care who support the teaching of skills, knowledge and understanding of the GPN role alongside experienced nurse academics focusing upon the exciting, changing and dynamic role of the General practice Nurse.

Learning will be through a range of interactive, skills-based presentations and you’ll also build a portfolio of evidence grounded in and applied to your primary care nursing practice to support your life long CPD portfolio and exciting career as a GPN.. You’ll be supported throughout your study by our nurse lecturers, your peers and a mentor. During the course you will develop the core clinical practice skills including; Cervical Screening / Cytology; Child and Adult Immunisations; There will be introductions to the specific primary care nursing and management of Respiratory Illnesses, Asthma, COPD; Cardiovascular disease, hypertension management, Diabetes, Introduction to Mental Health, Sexual Health, and managing chronic and acute wounds. The primary care nursing professional and generic skills of managing consultations, clinical decision making and being a confident nurse leader working collaboratively within a primary care team.

The course runs over 6 months: studying two days a fortnight and delivered online and face to face.  

Upon completion of the course at L7 the General Practice Nurse may be entitled to work towards a PG Cert Primary Care by completing a further 20 credit Level 7 unit - choosing from three options:

• Paediatric presentations in Urgent and Primary Care
• Care of Clients with Minor Illness
• Care of Clients with Long Term Conditions 

This course requires 100% attendance.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. To evaluate and critically reflect upon the current and future role of the General Practice Nurse 
2. To critically appraise the evidence base for the core competencies and professional skills required to function as a GPN
3. To critically discuss and evaluate the underpinning knowledge base required to function as a GPN in the evolving healthcare setting of primary care  
4. To critically appraise the professional knowledge and skills required to contribute to quality improvement and fulfil the role of the GPN in an evolving, changing world of primary care 

Assessment

The assessment will comprise two parts (both of which must be passed)

• Part A is a written assignment 3,000 words
• Part B is a written informed reflection on your portfolio of evidence. Equivalent to 3000 words.