District nurse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

District nurses are fully qualified nurses who provide care within the community. Typically much of their work involves visiting house-bound patients to help manage chronic wound or stoma dressings, monitor diabetics and sometimes to aid patients in remembering to take routine medication. They are trained to assess patient's needs for disability appliance provision (rails, ramps) as well as application for grants and welfare benefits.

[edit] Scope of practice

District nurses provide nursing care that allows people to remain in their own homes, maintain their independence, or have additional support after surgery. A district nurse may change dressings, give eye drops, provide catheter care and medication within a patients home. They may also provide support of specialised nursing care for diabetes, continence, stoma, intravenous therapy and palliative care. As well as treatment a district nurse would offer advice and support with health concerns.

In England they are employed by community Primary Care Trusts on behalf of the NHS, whereas in Scotland they are employed by the health board and may be based at centralised health centres or general practices. Qualified district nurses are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

[edit] Training

In the UK, training as a district nurse requires registration as a nurse in the adult branch, with one or two years post-qualifying experience of professional practice, who then take a (shortened) degree or postgraduate diploma. Courses are one year full-time or two years part-time.