Specialist community public health nurse (NMC 2022)
Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Health and science 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 7 apprenticeship trains nurses to qualify as Specialist Community Public Health Nurses (SCPHN) on the NMC register, working in roles such as Health Visitor or School Nurse. Apprentices build on existing nursing registration to develop specialist public health skills, working with families, communities, and schools to promote health and wellbeing. It can lead to Practice Lead, Team Manager, or Consultant Nurse roles in community public health.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Public health theory and population health needs assessment
NMC SCPHN standards and professional accountability
Child development, safeguarding, and the Healthy Child Programme
Community profiling and health promotion programme design
Working with vulnerable families and early intervention approaches
Leadership and case management in a community setting
Research, evidence appraisal, and quality improvement methods
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Carry out health assessments with families and children
Deliver health promotion programmes in community settings
Support schools with public health initiatives and health education
Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns promptly
Lead health visiting or school nursing caseloads independently
Collaborate with GPs, social workers, and education professionals
Contribute to local public health needs assessments and planning
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 7 (Degree (Master’s)) - roughly Master’s-degree level. Usually needs a relevant degree or Level 6 qualification, or significant experience.
What’s next: Leads into senior and chartered professional roles.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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