Overview

Developed in consultation with senior managers and employers to meet the education and training needs of care support workers, this course can lead to employment as a nursing associate, and eligibility to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The higher apprenticeship recognises the workplace as a centre of knowledge building, and supports you by combining opportunities within the workplace and the University learning environment.

Through a range of modules, we support you in your continuing personal and professional development. Alongside your own workplace, you experience placements within a variety of settings covering the four fields of nursing, care across the age continuum and care in a variety of settings.

You study this full-time course over two years. The taught component of the course, delivered at the University, includes an induction period followed by one day a week university time. In addition to the one day a week at the university there are four block weeks of teaching over the two years.

Course details

You develop the knowledge and understanding of the role of the nursing associate to promote person-centred care in a diverse range of health and care settings and enhance the underpinning rationale of your current practice. You go on to develop your skills and understanding, promoting evidence-based practice and professional nursing care. The subjects you study inform your practice, such as the nursing associate role, professionalism, consent and confidentiality, communication skills, infection control, anatomy and pathophysiology, specialist skills and knowledge relating to nursing care management.

A variety of modules help you to develop your knowledge, skills, professional conduct, values and attitudes that are relevant and important to your work-based role as a nursing associate. You complete a module which helps you develop your study skills and gives you an introduction to learning in the University. This module also helps you to prepare for your assessments within the course.

In addition to completing assessments as part of the course, your employer also assesses your professional competencies on an ongoing basis.

The module will explore body systems, altered cognition, disability, illnesses and disease ensuring parity of content, engaging all four fields of nursing practice utilising a whole person approach with the emphasis on the complexity of the individual.

Introduction To Public Health for Nursing Associate

This module explores decision-making and therapeutic interventions within Nursing Associate practice across a range of health and social care settings. The module introduces the relevant theories and influences linked to the wider determinants of health and wellbeing, developing the Nursing Associate's ability to facilitate an individual's health journey across the lifespan using a biopsychosocial approach.

Person-Centered Care - The Service User experience

This module will explore the philosophical basis and key concepts underpinning approaches to working with different people and service user groups. The biopsychosocial experience and impact of altered health and well-being, physical illness, cognition and/or treatment upon the person and family will be examined from the service user perspective.

Study Skills and Professionalism

The module will explore the knowledge and skills required to develop study skills, introduce reflective practice, and develop and understanding of professionalism and professional practice. Students will also be introduced to the theoretical concepts underpinning professional practice including self-awareness, resilience, and self-management. They will develop their understanding of the NMC Code, and the expectations placed upon them, and the principles of literature searching.

How you learn

The course is delivered through either a standard delivery pattern (typically one day a week in the University) or block delivery pattern (five block weeks in each year at the University). The remainder of the working week is spent in clinical practice and clinical placements.

The course combines and integrates both academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and the University. You are encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning from the start of the course with support from the teaching team and within practice. You learn in a range of ways including lectures, seminars, practical skills sessions, group work, and an IT skills laboratory. You can also access our virtual learning environment, allowing you to engage with the learning and tutors whilst in the workplace.

How you are assessed

Each module is assessed individually and we use a wide range of approaches including essays, exams, presentations and work-based competencies. You can access academic support through the course and you also have a support in practice.

To be awarded the higher apprenticeship you are required to successfully complete all assessment elements and undertake an end point assessment.

Work placement

Trainee nursing associates experience placements within a variety of settings. Your primary placement area is the place where you are employed. You will undertake a minimum of 450 hours in placement external to your area of employment.

Career opportunities

Nursing associate roles and career progression for those who wish to access future pre-registration nursing courses.