Enhanced level practice

When continuing a journey around care in sexual health and reproductive health and wellbeing, consideration needs to be given to the following:

• balancing existing knowledge
• understanding the value of transferable skills and experience
• considering formal learning opportunities
• identifying and using reflective practice opportunities
• having a passion and enthusiasm for the subject.

Learn more about the RCN’s Enhanced Level Practice and Standards for assessing practice at this level.

What qualifications will you need?

• Enhanced level standards - RCN Professional Development Framework Enhanced Level Nursing outlines the requirements across the four pillars of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.
• A relevant degree - you will need a degree in a sexual health–related subject area.
• Accredited modules and programmes - universities across the UK offer a wide range of recognised courses in sexual and reproductive health.
• Support for CPD - local universities and education leads can advise on funding options and time to study as part of CPD requirements.

• Contraception – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• COSRH Education and Training
• e-SRH Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare e-Learning
• Sexually Transmitted Infection Foundation (STIF) Integrated competencies
• Cervical screening – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV
  
  • STI Foundation Theory Course
  • Sexual Health and HIV - elearning for healthcare
• Menopause - (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
  
  • British Menopause Society: Menopause – The Foundations (2-day course for nurses) 
  • CoSRH 2025: Essentials of Menopause Care
  • CoSRH 2025: Menopause Care Professional Certificate (MCPC)
• Independent and supplementary medical prescribing/multi professional prescribing. See local university and programme leads for details
• Experience
• Reflective practice.

• Cervical screening – link above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Contraception – see above (this will link back to the content in the box marked Specialist Practice and Services)
• Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV
  • STI Foundation Theory Course
  • Sexual Health and HIV - elearning for healthcare
  • STI Foundation Gateway Plus Competency
  • STI Foundation Intermediate Competency
  • STI Foundation Theory Course
  • STI Foundation NHIVNA Intermediate: For nurses working in HIV settings and looking to progress to enhanced level practice. The STIF/NHIVNA Intermediate Competency leads to the Certificate of the STI Foundation - CSTIF (HIV) and is a common training route
  • STI Foundation Health Advising Competency: For nurses working in a Sexual Health Adviser role and looking to progress to enhanced level practice. The STI Foundation Sexual Health Advisor Competency leads to the Certificate of the STI Foundation - CSTIF (SHA) and is a common training route.
  • STI Foundation Intermediate Competency
  • HIV - STI Foundation NHIVNA Core 
  • Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare - elearning for healthcare.
  • CoSRH e-learning for Health Care (Sexual and reproductive health)  
  • Confident with Medicine management, including Patient Group Direction (PGD)/ Patient Specific Direction framework
  • Independent and supplementary medical prescribing/multi professional prescribing. See local university and programme leads for details.
  • Graduate / post-graduate certificates or diplomas in enhanced clinical practice (apprenticeships)
• Experience
• Reflective practice