New Community Nursing programme launched to meet future healthcare needs
Glasgow Caledonian University’s Department of Nursing, Community and Public Health has launched Scotland’s very first dedicated community nursing Master’s-level programme to meet future NHS healthcare needs.
“Community nursing roles are evolving rapidly to meet the complex health and social care needs of individuals across a range of settings,” explained Programme Lead Susan Rae. “I’m delighted to say we are way ahead of the curve in developing this new Master’s degree dedicated to community nursing.
“This new MSc programme ensures our graduates are not only prepared for today’s challenges but are also future-ready, aligned with national priorities and equipped to lead in primary and community care environments,” she added.
An event marking the official launch of the new programme was held in the School of Health and Life Sciences last week, attended by staff, students and key stakeholders.
As Scotland’s largest provider of undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development nursing education, the University is uniquely positioned to deliver this much-needed academic provision.
The development of the MSc Community Nursing programme comes in response to national policy drivers such as Scotland’s Nursing 2030 Vision and Transforming Nursing Roles, both of which call for an expansion and strengthening of primary and community care services.
These strategies aim to shift the focus of healthcare delivery away from hospital settings, enabling people to receive safe, effective and person-centred care in community environments such as their homes, GP surgeries, hospices, care homes and prisons.
The Scottish Government’s vision also emphasises self-management and early intervention, aiming to reduce pressure on hospitals and ensure people access the right services at the right time for the right care.
The programme is designed for professionals across all fields of nursing, providing an opportunity to access a Master's level qualification that reflects the distinct nature of their practice within the community setting, with a focus on enhancing knowledge, leadership and clinical expertise.
It offers a range of academic pathways for a wide range of community nursing professionals. The programme team will continue to work with key stakeholders to design these pathways, including those who work in prisons and justice services, care homes, palliative care, sexual health and the Hospital at Home service.
The programme also provides a dedicated academic route for District Nurses and Health Visitors who have already completed a Postgraduate Diploma Specialist Practitioner Qualifications (SPQ) in District Nursing or Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) in Health Visiting to achieve an MSc Community Nursing.
Three Health Visitors, who have undertaken this route and recently graduated with an MSc Community Nursing degree, shared their experiences at the launch event. They gave glowing feedback on their experience, highlighting the programme’s personal, academic and professional impact.
Kirsty McMillan described the programme as a “rewarding experience” that supported both her career and personal development. “The support from academic staff and the opportunity to focus on a topic I’m passionate about has been invaluable for my personal and professional growth,” she said.
Holly Gourlay credited the course with giving her the tools to create meaningful change in her practice. “Studying at Glasgow Caledonian University has given me the confidence and skills to turn research into real change for my own family and the families I now work with, and I’d encourage any nurse to take that step,” she said.
Jennifer Eaglesham also praised the programme’s ability to balance academic rigour with compassionate care. “The Master’s in Community Nursing programme gave me the tools to bridge evidence and empathy. I would recommend it to any nurse who wants to make a real, research-informed difference in community practice,” she said.
Find out more about the course - https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/courses/community-nursing