This module will enable students to develop a critical understanding of the nature and organisation of primary care services including key policies influencing practice in this setting. The role of the general practice nurse is examined including the professional responsibilities and accountability involved. The module also incorporates a number of skills-based study days which enable students to develop competence in the core skills required to work in general practice and a critical appreciation of the evidence base underpinning their practice.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to their role in general practice. Throughout the module, there will be an emphasis on health promotion and screening as well as the management of long-term conditions. There will be a focus on consultation and communication skills to build confidence in building rapport with people seeking care across the lifespan.

Included within the module are the following additional study days:

Travel Health, Childhood Immunisations, Wound Care. These study days focus on preparing practitioners for their roles in health promotion within a general practice setting.

Students will also complete Cervical Cytology Sample Taker Course as part of this module. This two-day course fulfils the requirements of the NHS Cervical Screening Programme for training novice cervical screening sample takers. This two-day course is accredited with the RCN.

Students must complete and submit the Supporting Admissions Form (SAF) for the Cervical screening course. See downloads at the right hand side of this page.

Assessment

100% coursework

Students will be required to complete a case study. In addition, students will be required to complete a critical review of the care delivered and a reflective account of their development as a practice nurse.

Patient details must be anonymised and confidentiality must be maintained.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the roles, structure and function of general practice services and their impact on individual and community health.
• Critically evaluate disease prevention strategies in primary care to support changes to behaviours and lifestyle to improve life expectancy of individuals with long-term conditions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of health promotion and screening in preventing health issues and supporting individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
• Apply systematic and evidence-based approaches to the management and promotion of health and well-being in people with long-term conditions at both individual and population health level.
• Demonstrate an in-depth and critical understanding of the application of health policy and the application of this as a basis for care planning in the context of their clinical role.
• Critically evaluate and apply evidence-based approaches to the provision of care within the general practice setting, working in partnership with people and their families/carers.
• Demonstrate advanced communication strategies across primary, community and secondary care to facilitate seamless care for all people with long-term conditions and their families / carers. 
• Critical evaluate disease prevention strategies in primary care to support changes to behaviours and lifestyle to improve health and life expectancy of individuals.

Number of Learner Hours

Scheduled 115 hours

Independent 185 hours

Placement 0 hours

What our students say

"Specific to general practice nurses and was all applicable"

"Module gave me confidence"

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

HSCSNGPPGD: PgDip Specialist Community Nursing (General Practice Nursing)