National diabetes degree and graduate diploma: diabetes specialist nursing

Journal of Diabetes Nursing, Jan, 2005 by Anne Phillips

It gives us enormous pleasure to inform you all that the national degree and graduate diploma in diabetes specialist nursing was validated on 12th January 2005 in the Department of Health Sciences, University of York.

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This is the first pilot site for the national degree, and as such the degree will also be provided in other universities across the UK to allow ease of access for potential candidates. The Educational Development Group members will work with each university the degree is validated with, to ensure its national perspective and curriculum for developing diabetes specialist nursing practice is maintained and supported nationally.

This degree is the culmination of the work of the Educational Development Group, supported by both the UK Association and the RCN. The UK Association funded the development of this degree from its original conception.

The Educational Development Group members are:

* Janice Tinlin,

* Maggie Watkinson

* Adele McEvilly

* Lesley Peters

* Theresa Smyth

* Marilyn Gallighan

* Anne Phillips.

Format

The degree is in modular format and will be supported by clinical practice experience to develop and support nurses preparing to specialise in diabetes nursing. The degree is also competency-mapped against the Skills for Health Diabetes National Workforce Competence Framework (2004; details available on their website at http://www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/).

Accreditation

The degree is validated at 120 credits, Level 3, as a BSc (Hons) and also as a Graduate Diploma for potential candidates who already have a first degree but wish to specialise in diabetes nursing. The degree also has Workforce Development funding to support nurses undertaking the programme.

Degree content

This degree is an exciting and clinically-focused programme that will develop diabetes specialist nursing skills for nursing.

The curriculum is:

* Theoretical and practical aspects of diabetes--20 credits

* Evidence-based practice in diabetes care--20 credits

* Psychosocial issues in the care of the person with diabetes--20 credits

* Education and management skills for people with diabetes--20 credits

* Dissertation--preparing for specialist practice--40 credits.

There is a proviso written in that for nurse prescribing this is not an option for the degree route, but is a recommendation to be taken upon completion to consolidate on developing and developed specialist skills.