Become a knowledgeable and skilled member of the nursing team, supporting registered nurses to provide high-quality, safe, person-centred care. Please note this programme is currently subject to NMC approval.
BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma
Pass an Access to HE Diploma with at least 30 credits at merit
T level P (C+ in core elements)
GCSE Maths & English grade 4/C
Equivalent qualifications may be considered, including workplace-delivered NVQs
Applicants will need to be in employment in a healthcare environment for a minimum of 30 hours per week with on-site registered nurses and nursing associates who are willing to support the applicant to achieve all programme requirements. Applicants will also be required to complete an Initial Needs Analysis (INA) to show substantive skills development needs which can be met through completion of the Higher-Level Nursing Associate Apprenticeship. In addition to this, applicants will need to demonstrate values in accordance with The NMC Code (2018) Professional Standards of Practice for nurses, midwives and nursing associates with the capability to learn behaviours in accordance with The Code.
Duration 2 years full time
If English is not the applicant’s first language and they do not have GCSE English Grade 4 /C or above or L2 Functional Skills, then IELTS (or equivalent qualification) will be required with an overall score of at least 7.0 (at least 6.5 in all elements sections) in accordance with NMC guidance.
Candidates must receive a satisfactory occupational health clearance prior to commencing the course. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. Candidates must prove they have been immunised against Rubella, Measles and Hepatitis B. We strongly recommend that all successful applicants (unless exempt on medical grounds) receive a full course of Covid-19 and Influenza vaccinations prior to commencing the course.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) can be applied for but cannot exceed 50% of the programme. The only exception to this is if you are a registered nurse with an active PIN without restrictions, on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register and you wish to gain additional NMC registration in another field of nursing. In this instance, applicants can apply for more than 50% RPL/RPEL. All RPL claims for NMC programmes are assessed on an individual basis and approved by an external examiner as part of the School of Health and Wellbeing's RPL/RPEL processes.
Applicants will also need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure. This information will be provided by the employer.
Contact our apprenticeship team
Nursing associates work with healthcare support workers and support registered nurses across the four fields of nursing to provide high-quality, safe, person-centred care in a wide range of health and care settings across the lifespan. This two-year foundation degree is mapped to the NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates and the Nursing Associate (NMC, 2018) Standard (IfATE, 2019) and includes both academic and practice-based learning. Successful completion of the programme leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in England.
Taught by committed and experienced registered nurse academics and other registered professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds.
Accelerated learning through combining academic theory with clinical simulation in our new first-class suite. Learners will understand why their new knowledge and skills are relevant and how to apply these in their clinical practice, contributing to high-quality, safe care.
Close working relationships with professional colleagues in clinical practice, ensuring our programme is responsive and relevant to local needs and helping learners to robustly prepare for their future role as accountable registrants.
High-quality placements in clinical practice, working with local healthcare providers in acute and community care settings, with guided learning to help students develop knowledge and skills specific to the area of clinical practice.
Focus on supporting learners to become safe, accountable professionals through developing robust critical thinking and complex problem-solving and teamwork skills, empowering learners to contribute to nursing teams through effective self-management and ability to positively respond to challenges.
Please note: This course is subject to validation which means that it is either a new course or that the content is currently being updated. You can apply for this course now while some of the details of the course are being finalised by the University. Please contact the course leader if you would like further information.
Developing a career in modern healthcare
Making a positive difference to people’s lives everyday
Becoming part of a nursing team and contributing to high-quality, safe care
How the human body works and what to do when things go wrong
How research improves professional practice and patient safety
Developing a career as a Registered Nurse across any of the 4 fields of nursing including Child Health; Mental Health; Learning Disability and Adult nursing.
On successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Nursing Associate.
This programme is delivered on our 91ÊÓƵ Campus and includes both academic theory and clinical practice, which are delivered side-by-side. Apprentices will be released by their employer to attend a weekly Study Day which will include lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, clinical simulation, group discussions, debates, peer support, study skills and more. Apprentices are required to complete 1150 hours in clinical practice over 2 years by the end of the programme, including 460 hours in External Placements and 690 hours Protected Learning Time. This is equal to 575 hours per year.
Placements will be jointly managed by the employer and 91ÊÓƵ Clinical Education Team and will provide apprentices with a range of placement opportunities to develop the breadth of learning required for the nursing associate role.
The programme specifically prepares students for professional practice as nursing associates, and all assessments are there to ensure understanding and application of the knowledge skills and professional behaviours required. Academic assessments include essays, case studies, In-Class Tests, practical assessments in the clinical skills lab, academic poster presentations and literature reviews. Students maintain a Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and Professional Practice Portfolio (PPP) which records continuous and formal assessments in clinical practice including Episodes of Care and Medicines Management, to evidence achievement of the NMC (2018) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates; Professional Values (The NMC Code, 2018) and the Nursing Associate (NMC, 2018) Standard (IfATE, 2019). Upon successful completion of programme requirements and the End-Point Assessment (EPA), apprentices will be eligible to apply for entry to the NMC Register as nursing associates.
Fees UK students: £15,000
As an employee, apprentices are paid a salary and through the Apprenticeship Levy of the supporting organisation, the following services are provided at no cost: tuition fees, tripartite reviews, End-Point Assessment (EPA), access to course-specific equipment and facilities including the Clinical Simulation Suite Associated academic services including the library, study skills training, IT support, student support and wellbeing services, and membership of the Student Union. Employers: For larger employers, apprenticeship levy funding can fully meet the costs of training, assessment and certification. For smaller employers, funding may be available to support fees. Please contact the Programme Leader for further details.
Whilst the Nursing Associate is a new and valued role within the nursing team, it also provides a platform from which to develop further. Apprentices may wish to qualify as a registered nurse and because of the generic nature of the role, can apply for BSc (Hons) Nursing or a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) across the four fields of nursing, including Child Health, Mental Health, Learning Disability and Adult. Apprentices will be able to apply for up to 50% (maximum allowed) ‘Recognition for Prior Learning’ (RPL) on NMC-approved nursing programmes and complete their studies within 18 months – 2 years. Alternatively, they could progress onto a non-professional BSc (Hons) award. If you are interested in qualifying as a registered nurse, then please contact your organisational Education/Apprenticeship Lead to discuss this further.