District nurse

District nurses are senior nurses who manage care within the community leading teams of community nurses at staff nurse level. 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. A majority of their work involves follow-up care for recently discharged hospital inpatients as well as working collaboratively with general practitioners in preventing unnecessary or avoidable hospital admissions.

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 will manage a team of nurses that may change dressings, give eye drops, provide catheter care and administer complex medication within a patients home as well as immunisations. 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.

Training
In the UK, training as a district nurse requires registration as a nurse in the adult branch, with at least five 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.