PGCert-GradCert INDEPENDENT AND SUPPLEMENTARY PRESCRIBING FOR NURSES (LEVELS 6 AND 7)

Before you apply for the Independent Prescribing programme

1. Confirm you meet the professional entry requirements:

• Nurses: NMC Entry Requirements

2. Applicants must have a Designated Medical Practitioner (DMP) when applying and it is the responsibility of the applicant to secure one. Information about the DMP role may be of use. Only apply once you have a DMP and when they have confirmed they are happy to support you.

3. Confirm you are able to attend all the study days. If you are unable to attend all of the study days, your success in gaining a place on the course may be affected — please consider applying for the next cohort.

4. Complete a statement of purpose. You will submit this to the 'statement of purpose' field on RISIS.

5. Prepare the following documents, as you will need to provide all of these documents during the application process:

• DMP Declaration
• Employer Declaration
• NMP Lead Declaration (for NHS funded places only)
• Checklist
  
• Proof of funding (if applicable) Some NHS organisations require a Purchase Order number for the payment of invoices. This must be stated on this letter to ensure invoices are paid promptly.
• An email from your educational supervisor(if you are accessing the training via the Pharmacy Integration Fund).
  

The application portal cannot accept multiple uploads. Therefore, you will need to scan the documents above into one document. If you are supplying a transcript, you can submit your combined documents to the 'other' field. If you are not supplying a transcript, you can submit your combined documents into the compulsory 'transcript' field instead of a transcript.

How to apply for the Independent Prescribing programme

To apply to the programme, you need to use the University's online portal.

6. Access the online application portal.

All communication from the application system is via automated email. Some National Health Service (NHS) email servers flag these email addresses as spam, therefore we recommend using a personal email address to ensure you receive all communications at this stage.

Once you have started an application, the system will email you to remind you to start, and/or complete, your application at regular intervals. If your account is flagged as dormant for three or more weeks, your application may be automatically removed.

7. Once you have created an account, select your programme choice from the drop-down menu:

• Graduate Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses (Level 6)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Independent and Supplementary Prescribing for Nurses (Level 7)

8. Complete all the required fields (marked with an asterix *) and upload all of the documents stated above (item 5).

9. References

Once you have submitted an application, an automatic email will be sent to your referees (if you have provided an email address for them). It is your responsibility to make sure that your referee supplies an appropriate reference. We would therefore advise that you contact them in advance of submitting an application so that they have time to prepare a reference. Please advise them that this should be provided on headed paper and that emails from the application system may be sent to their 'spam' folder.

If you have completed postgraduate study, you should provide details of one academic and one non-academic referee. If you have not completed postgraduate study, you can provide details of two non-academic referees. A suitable non-academic referee is typically a past or current employer, or your pre-registration tutor.

10. Attending an interview

As part of the recruitment process, students may be asked to attend an interview. This enables us to determine your suitability for the course and ascertain further information about your experience.

Interviews will take place on April 2 and April 3 2019 at the University of Reading. If you are unable to attend your interview, it may be possible to arrange a telephone/Skype call instead.

11. The outcome of your application

Applications are reviewed throughout the year. However, the greater the number of applications we receive, the longer it may take to inform you of the outcome. At the latest, we will notify all successful applicants within three weeks of the closing date, subject to the receipt of satisfactory references.

Due to the high volume of applications we are receiving at present, we are unable to provide individualised feedback if you are unsuccessful.

Financial support for your studies

Applicants can be fully or partly sponsored by their employer to undertake the programme. There is information on how to provide proof of sponsorship in the Entry Requirements section above.

If you think you are eligible for a Pharmacy Integration Fund commissioned place, you can confirm this using the information on the Pharmacy Integration Fund site. As stated in the factsheet, you will not need to provide a sponsor letter from Health Education England (HEE), but email proof of eligibility with your application.

For all other potential HEE sponsorship/commissioned options, you should contact your local HEE branch educational commission manager.

Our programmes are based on developing your professional competence and confidence, and you can network with other healthcare professionals from a range of employers and sectors to identify future career options.

We can offer advice to help you meet your professional regulator revalidation requirements, and/or leadership body credentialing processes, and support you in building a personal learning plan to enhance your career prospects.