Nursing Associate Apprenticeship - Level 5 - University of Staffordshire

Nurse associates support the care of people through the promotion of health, health protection and the prevention of ill health. They provide care for people who may have mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural care needs.

Nursing associates are a stand-alone role that will also provide a progression route into graduate level nursing. It’s intended that the role will enable registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical duties.

Nursing associates work in the public, independent and voluntary sectors and it is a statutorily regulated profession. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide care for people of all ages and from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs. Nursing associates may provide care for people who have mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural care needs. They may provide care for people in their own home, in the community or hospital or in any health care settings where their needs are supported and managed.

Nursing associates work in the context of continual change, challenging environments, different models of care delivery, shifting demographics, innovation and rapidly evolving technologies. Increasing integration of health and social care services will require nursing associates to play an active role in multidisciplinary teams.

Who is it for?

Individuals working in nursing support roles who will have access to demonstrate the competencies of a nurse associate. Specific job roles may include Apprentice Nurse Associate; Trainee Nurse Associate; Student Nurse Associate.

Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus, Centre for Health Innovation Stafford
Duration: 2 years including a 1-month Apprenticeship Assessment
Start date(s): September

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Course content

This apprenticeship is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), meaning it meets the required standards to enable apprentices to register as a Nursing Associate upon completion of the programme. Apprentices will develop practical nursing skills and knowledge that allow them to work in healthcare settings supporting registered nurses, with the opportunity to progress to become a fully registered nurse in the future.

The programme includes 2300 study hours, split evenly between 50% theory and 50% practice, giving apprentices the opportunity to apply their learning in real clinical environments. During the programme, apprentices will gain experience in areas such as patient care, communication, infection prevention, and supporting individuals with a range of health conditions.

Nursing Associates are not required to have placements in each field of nursing. Apprentices will however, benefit from placement learning opportunities that will allow them to develop and meet the Standards of proficiency for nursing associates to deliver safe and effective care, to a diverse range of people, across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. These placements will expose them to children, adults and patients/service users with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

What qualification will be achieved?

FdSc Nursing Associate
Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Certificate
Eligible to register as a Nurse Associate with Nursing and Midwifery Council

Modules

Year 1:

Mental health and physical health through the lifespan
Professional, legal and ethical considerations for Nursing Associates
Care across the lifespan
Nursing Associates in Practice 1, 2, 3

Year 2:

Altered mental health and physical health through the lifespan
Human factors, risk, decision making and uncertainty
Medicines, their management and application
Nursing Associates in Practice 4, 5, 6

Entry requirements

To be eligible, apprentices will need to provide evidence of the following:

Achievement of Level 2 Maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR demonstrate ability at Level 2 in both Maths and English, this would be determined by an initial assessment conducted by University of Staffordshire.

Fees

For levy-paying organisations the cost is paid from their digital account at a rate of £15,000.

For non-levy paying organisations there may be a financial contribution of 5% which equates to £750.

Delivery and assessment

Delivery

This programme is delivered using a blended learning model including face-to-face sessions on campus, complimented by online webinars.

Assessment

Throughout the apprenticeship a variety of assessment methods could be used, these include:

Written assignments
Examinations
Reflective activities
Group assessments
Presentations
Professional discussions
Academic assignments
Critical analysis

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support provided by the course teaching team, our central Academic Skills Team provide resources, group and one-to-one help to support learning in a number of areas. These include:

study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy)
academic writing (including how to reference)
research skills
critical thinking and understanding arguments
revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

The Student Life Team offer support, advice and guidance to apprentices with inclusion requirements. The team can arrange reasonable adjustments to support with learning needs, long term health condition, mental health condition or disabilities

Feedback

Progress feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all apprentices who take written examinations or assessments.

Responsibilities

Employers must not ask the apprentice to contribute financially to the direct cost of learning.
Ensure apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their time on off-the-job training.
Enter into a contract with University of Staffordshire.
Participate in reviews with the apprentice and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets the needs of the apprentice.
Provide apprentices with a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Provide the apprentice with paid time to attend off-the-job training, including additional support for English and Maths, or support accessed for learning difficulties and/or disabilities.
Recognise that apprentices must complete the apprenticeship within their working hours.
Support the apprentice to gain new skills.

If they are a citizen of the UK or a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area with Pre-settled or Settled status, they must have been an ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
If they are a non UK national or EEA National without pre-settled or settled status, they must hold a visa (not for educational purposes) for the full duration of the apprenticeship at the start of the programme and been an ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning.
Able to complete the apprenticeship in contracted working hours.
Be an employee (have a contract of employment for the duration of the apprenticeship) on the first day of their apprenticeship and be paid at least a wage consistent with the law for both the time they are in work and in off-the-job learning.
Be in a job role relevant for the apprenticeship where significant new knowledge and skills are required.
Be in full-time employment for typically 30 hours a week.
Has the right to work in England.
Maintain a safe, healthy and supportive environment, which meets your needs.
Not enrolled on another apprenticeship or accessing other government funding at the same time.
Participate in reviews with the employer and university, providing evidence and feedback on progress at work and success in meeting apprenticeship milestones.

Administer the funding and running of the Apprenticeship Standard to an acceptable level of quality and in compliance with the DfE’s requirements.
Agree jointly between the University, the Employer and Apprentice, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) ensuring that satisfactory progress is achieved and to ensure that the contents of the ILP fulfil the requirements of the Apprenticeship Standard.
Provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment, which meets the needs of the Apprentice.
Provide off-the-job learning and assessment and oversee the on-the-job skills development as detailed in the ILP.
Provide support on selection of the apprenticeship assessor, if applicable. The apprenticeship assessment will be completed by University of Staffordshire for all integrated degrees.

Careers

Upon completion of this apprenticeship, apprentices will have gained the necessary knowledge and skills to be a registered nurse associate. They may wish to progress on to further study such as the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship or top up their FdSc to a full degree to become a qualified registered nurse.

Apprentices will also have access to career support, our dedicated careers team can support with professional branding, career mapping and accessing potential.

Facilities

Lifelike Living Space (Stafford)

The lifelike living space lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including our configurable house environment.

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Lifelike living space

The lifellike living space in Ashley 2 lets you practice your skills in a variety of non-clinical settings, including bedroom, bathroom, lounge and bedsit. Read more

Bedrooms:

The bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and is used for simulated crime scenes where students can practise investigative skills or social work and healthcare can use the space for urgent situations and interviews.

Lounges:

The lounges have a homely feel, with comfy furniture and framed photos. Students can use these spaces for policing or forensic investigations. Social work and healthcare can also use the space for realistic interviews and clinical emergencies.

Bathroom:

The bathroom provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. It can be used a range of simulation scenarios, such as domestic crime scenes or clinical emergencies.

Bedsit:

With a kitchen diner, bedroom and bathroom, the bedsit provides a lifelike backdrop for students to practise their skills. Scenarios can range from gathering evidence at simulated crime scenes to dealing with clinical emergencies.

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Immersive Suite

Our Immersive Suite can simulate almost any environment including home, hospital and pub. The suite allows 360 projection putting you in a more realistic environment to enhance simulations.

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Immersive Suites

Our immersive suites can simulate almost any environment from hospital to office and house to roadside. The suite allows 360 projection with realistic sounds from that environment.

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Clinical Simulation Suite

The suite includes a simulated hospital ward where students can interact with manikin patients to practise their skills. It features the latest technology, such as observation and AV recording equipment and emergency care facilities. Read more

Find out more about our Clinical Simulation Suites at Stoke campus

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Clinical Simulation Suite (Stafford)

These state-of-the-art labs allow clinical procedures to be simulated, so that our students are safe and confident before treating real patients.

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Enquire

To begin an apprenticeship, you must be employed in a role that aligns with the apprenticeship you wish to undertake.

If you are currently in a suitable position with an employer who is willing to support you or if you are an employer looking to recruit or enrol an existing member of staff onto an apprenticeship, please enquire with us.

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