Through the first course to be taught across the Peninsula in over a decade, seven Devon-based community nurses have qualified as district nurses, helping to support people to live more independently in their own homes.

On Friday 23 September, through a collaboration with Plymouth University, seven community nurses employed by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma in District Nursing at a Masters Level.

The nurses, who are all employed by the Royal Devon, completed the two year course, which included a non medical prescribing qualification, advanced clinical assessment, and on the job learning. They are now all qualified district nurses and can provide enhanced care to patients in their own homes or place of residence.

There is a large amount of evidence showing district nursing reduces costs in the long-term and provides more appropriate, patient-centred care in a variety of care settings, and situations.

Carolyn Mills, Chief Nursing Officer at the Royal Devon said: “Our district nurses make a difference to the lives of the people they visit every single day, providing complex care to patients and support for their family members. Recognising the vital role that district nurses have, we developed this Post Graduate course in collaboration with Plymouth University to help us better meet the needs of local people. 

“We are really passionate about developing the skills of our expert workforce and we are delighted that seven of our community nurses have successfully completed this course.”

Jenny Lee, Community Nurse Team Manager, and Clinical Lead for the course said: “I am incredibly proud of the students’ achievements and have really enjoyed supporting them to achieve these qualifications. Seeing them develop as leaders and advancing their clinical skills over the past two years has been a privilege, and to undertake it during a pandemic as well is credit to their passion for working in our community services.”

Cara Mundy, a recently graduated District Nurse said “Undertaking the DNSPQ is my proudest achievement! The knowledge, experiences and the qualifications I have gained are invaluable. The course has enhanced my nursing practice, ultimately improving patient care. Not only am I now an official District Nurse, I'm an Independent Nurse Prescriber. I am incredibly grateful to the trust for believing in me and supporting throughout & highly recommend any community nurses considering it, to just go for it!”