Community nurse specialist practitioner (NMC 2022)
Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Health and science 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (NMC 2022) apprenticeship is a master's-level programme for registered nurses seeking to develop advanced clinical practice in community and primary care settings. You will build specialist skills in assessment, prescribing, care coordination, and leadership to support patients with complex needs in their own homes and communities. Completion leads to a recordable NMC qualification as a Specialist Practitioner.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced clinical assessment and management of complex, long-term conditions
Non-medical prescribing principles and pharmacology relevant to community nursing
Leadership and supervision of community nursing teams
Research, evidence-based practice, and service improvement methods
Care coordination across primary care, social care, and voluntary sectors
Public health approaches and health promotion in community settings
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Carry out advanced clinical assessments for patients with complex needs at home
Prescribe and review medicines as an independent or supplementary prescriber
Lead and supervise a caseload of community nursing staff and students
Coordinate care packages and multi-agency support for complex patients
Contribute to quality improvement and clinical audit in your service
Provide clinical advice to colleagues, GPs, and allied health professionals
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
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.