Registered Nurse (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship – Level 6 (accelerated route)

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Modules

Level 5:

• Altered Mental Health and Physical Health through the lifespan
• Adult Nursing in Practice 5 and 6 OR Mental Health Nursing in Practice 5 and 6 OR Children and Young Peoples Nursing in Practice 4,5 and 6.
• Human Factors. Risk, Decision Making and uncertainty - subject to previous Nursing Associate qualification
• Physical Assessment and Preparation for Prescribing

Level 6:

• Peer Learning and Teaching in Nursing Practice
• Adult Nursing in Practice 7,8 and 9 OR Mental Health Nursing in Practice 7,8 and 9 OR Children and Young Peoples Nursing in Practice 7,8 and 9
• The Evidence Base for Practice

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

• Level 2 maths and English (GCSE, functional skills or equivalent) OR be demonstrating you are functional at Level 2 in both maths and English, this would be determined by initial assessments conducted by University of Staffordshire.
• The accelerated route is available to those with recognition of prior learning from Nursing Associate or, a Level 5 Acute Care certificate. Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis

Delivery

Teaching and learning are divided between university and work-based learning. Apprentices will have 2 university study days allocated per week. At university, learning is structured so that each module studied builds on the previous module. Therefore, knowledge and understanding of the concepts underpinning nursing practice develops, apprentices will be exposed to more challenging and complex learning.

Course content is delivered using a combination of taught sessions and a skills-based approach. Clinical scenarios provide the trigger for learning based on cases the apprentices are likely to encounter in work-based learning environments.

The benefit of this approach is that learning will be in the context of clinical practice, developing key learning skills (such as searching for evidence, critical appraisal, problem-solving) which are essential to professional practice; apprentices will work both independently and as part of team which will enhance communication skills. Inter-professional learning will facilitate learning with and from other professional groups.

Clinical skills are developed and practiced in our university-based skills and simulation environments. Key skills such as infection prevention, clinical assessment and medicines management are practiced in a controlled environment before putting these skills into practice during work-based placements. Work-based learning forms approximately 50% of the course, where development is supported by a team of registered professionals who will assess clinical competence at key stages in the course.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the course:

• Assignments/Reflection: these are usually in essay format of varying length. Assignments must be presented in an appropriate scholarly format which develops academic writing skills.
• Seminar/Presentation: the research, planning and presentation of findings to a small audience.
• Examinations: either multiple-choice or oral (viva voce) examinations.
• Drug Calculations: accurate calculation of drug dosages and preparation of medications will be assessed via the on-line package Safe Medicate. A drug calculations assessment is undertaken in each of the three years where the expectation is that 100% is achieved in year three.
• Work-based Assessment demonstrates fitness to practice as an Registered Nurse as a requirement for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The apprentice is assessed against profession-specific competences by a team of practice-based registered professionals in a range of clinical settings.
• As part of the apprenticeship and once you have completed your academic qualification, you will undertake an end point assessment (EPA). This will include 2 professional discussions with an external assessor and must be completed within 3months of completing your academic studies.

 

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your 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; and
• revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties. You will also have full access to our support services such as Student Guidance.

Feedback

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

You will have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team who support you with professional branding, career mapping and realising your potential.