Foundation Degree - Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship)

Start date

20 January 2024

3 June 2024

Duration

2 years full-time

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About the course

Reasons to study

You'll develop academic and clinical skills both in the University setting and through placements in a range of statutory, private and voluntary services.
A wide range of support services including dedicated staff and resources will be available to help you whilst you're studying at the University.
Contact with service users and carers within the University setting will enhance your understanding of their experiences of health and social care.

This apprenticeship course has been designed to enable Healthcare Assistants to become Nursing Associates, in order to bridge the gap in care delivery as identified by the Shape of Caring Review (Willis, 2015). This new Nursing Associate role developed by the Department of Health, aims to deliver high quality, holistic, person-centred safe and effective nursing care in and across a wide range of health and care settings.

You’ll learn how to respond to the physical, cognitive and mental health care needs of all patients and service users across their lifespan.
Supported by an academic and practice placement team who really understand the nursing associate role, you’ll learn through face to face and online lectures, seminars, group work, simulation and role play as well as within your practice placements.
You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

In line with the apprenticeship model, the course is designed to support a training in practice approach. Whilst undertaking the course you will remain employed by your host organisation and will spend 60% of your time in your current workplace, 20% of your time will be spent accessing alternative placements and the remaining 20% will be spent undertaking theory work.

This Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Foundation Degree course is a full-time two year undergraduate course consisting of Foundation (Year 1) and Intermediate (Year 2) level study at Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Levels 4 and 5 respectively, which is in keeping with the Framework for Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008). The course is designed to be progressively demanding between levels. Once qualified, Nursing Associates will be regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

Course detail

Year 1

Core modules:

Foundations for Nursing Associates 1 (NMC 2018)

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the foundation knowledge required in relation to policy, professional values and communication. You’ll learn theory and practical skills, enabling you to develop the professional behaviour required as a Trainee Nursing Associate, connected to safety, safeguarding and protection of people of all ages. You’ll also have the opportunity to reflect on the communication skills used in your practice learning experience, policy and professional practice.

Foundations for Nursing Associates 2 (NMC 2018)

You’ll have the opportunity to develop the knowledge and understanding required to care for patients’/service users across the lifespan focusing on physical and mental health needs. You’ll explore normal anatomy and physiology. You’ll also study how to deliver person centred care safely whilst monitoring health and promoting health and wellbeing. Fundamental nursing associate skills will also be practised in our simulation labs, including hand washing, nutrition, basic life support and administration of medication.

Learning to Learn (NMC 2018)

This module provides the opportunity for you to develop the academic skills required to progress in higher education and successfully complete your academic studies. This will include a variety of transferable skills, as well as life-long learning skills and reflective practice. You’ll also learn about essay and report writing, referencing, IT skills and the use of the University search engine in searching for information. You’ll be encouraged to evaluate your strengths, limitations and identify areas for development, as well as be introduced to concepts of research design and the research process.

Nursing Associate Practice 1 (NMC 2018)

This module provides you with the opportunity to gain fundamental skills of nursing associate practice including personal hygiene, infection control and undertaking observations. You’ll complete a practice learning experience, normally in two blocks equivalent to 11 weeks, where you’ll put the theory you’ve learnt into practice. Using the ‘All England Nursing Associate Practice Assessment Document’, you’ll record the standards you’ve achieved and your practice assessor and practice supervisor will document your progress and skills/standards gained.

Year 2

Core modules:

Nursing Associate Concepts and Care Approaches (NMC 2018)

You will further develop your theoretical and clinical knowledge through lectures, procedural clinical skills, and simulation. You will practice the delivery of safe and competent care for patients and service users of all ages with a range of healthcare needs, in our specially designed clinical skills laboratories.

Nursing Associate Practice 2 (NMC 2018)

This module provides the opportunity for you to build and develop your practice skills through completion of a practice learning experience. This is usually undertaken in two blocks equivalent to 11 weeks, where you’ll explore physical, mental and social aspects in the treatment of patients’/service users. Through placement experiences you’ll be required to demonstrate your understanding and ability to link theory and practice. This will involve completing the ‘All England Nursing Associate Practice Assessment Document’ that records the practical outcomes you have achieved and your mentor will document your progress and skills gained.

Professional Development for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018)

Through this module you’ll be encouraged to explore issues of lifelong learning and continuing professional development that underpins registration requirements for Nursing Associates. The module aims to prepare you for your end point assessment (EPA). You’ll also have the opportunity to develop and use a variety of transferable skills including numeracy, literacy, lifelong learning and reflective practice. You’ll be encouraged to evaluate and reflect upon your strengths, limitations and areas for development in order to function effectively as registered practitioners.

Research for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018)

This module provides the opportunity for you to further develop your knowledge of the concepts of research, evidence-based care and audit for service improvement. You’ll continue to develop your skills in literature searching, critical appraisal skills and data analysis, as well as explore how to evaluate published research and the concept of ethics within healthcare research. You’ll also learn about different approaches to research, including quantitative, qualitative, systematic reviews and audits, as well as how they relate to practice.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are designed to offer Trainee Nursing Associates a variety of learning and assessment opportunities that align with your module learning outcomes and offer realistic and effective preparation for progression to Nursing Associate.

Learning and teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, seminars, group work, practical experience, simulation and role play, as well as blended and e-learning methods. Your studies will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment. The course team will ensure that the theory relates to clinical practice through the widespread use of case studies, videos and reflective practice, as well as local service user and carer involvement.

The assessment methods for this course are varied and contemporary, consisting of examinations, written assignments that include essays, reports and case studies. Group and individual presentations along with professionally simulated exams and objective structured clinical examination offer innovative methods that enable the assessment of the Trainee Nursing Associates ability to meet the required competencies and relate theory to practice. You’ll be assessed in practice by practice supervisors and practice assessors.

Throughout the course you’ll also have access to a Personal Development Plan, where you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, construct a record of achievement documenting the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies, as well as reflect and act upon your personal, professional, academic and long-term career goals.

At the end of the course there is an End Point Assessment (EPA), which is integrated into the course and verified at the course assessment board. The purpose of the EPA is to assess the values, skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard to confirm that the apprentice is occupationally competent.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2022). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 20 since 2008 (2022 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive the Level 5 in Leadership and Management Award from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), meaning you’ll graduate from the University of Huddersfield with an internationally recognised professional qualification, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees

Entry requirements

You must:

Be employed and meet the entry requirements of your employer
Have GCSE English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English
Complete a Rehabilitation of Offenders form and have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum of IELTS 6.5 with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which permits recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the Standards of proficiency for nursing associates and programme outcomes, up to a maximum of 50% of the programme. This maximum limit of 50% does not apply to applicants to pre-registration nursing associate programmes who are currently a NMC registered nurse without restrictions on their practice.

Placements

Placements are a compulsory element of the course where you will experience 24 hours and 7 day care. You will spend 60% of your time in your current workplace and 20% in an alternative placement provider, covering a variety of settings and care delivered across the lifespan. Whilst undertaking your clinical placements you will work alongside qualified supervisors and assessors who will provide any help and support you require.

"Attending placements has provided me with additional knowledge and expanded my experience as a Trainee Nursing Associate. It is very important to understand the knowledge underpinning practice and to enjoy your time on placement."

Vicky Atkinson, Currently studying Foundation Degree - Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship)

Facilities

Working together to learn and progress.

Understanding the patient experience.

Learning the theory underpinning clinical skills

Your career

This course provides the opportunity for Healthcare Assistants to become Nursing Associates, in order to bridge the gap in care delivery as identified by the Shape of Caring Review (Willis, 2015).

Professional links and accreditations

This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

To qualify for the award of the Foundation Degree you must complete all the course requirements. Only Trainee Nursing Associates who successfully gain 240 credits and complete the End Point Assessment will be eligible to apply for registration as a Nursing Associate and entry to the Professional Register.

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions. Find out more about the Service.

Inspiring Graduate

"I loved the course. It provided the opportunity for me to gain a lot of practical skills, background and theoretical knowledge, as well as work with and support people of all ages across a wide range of healthcare settings. During the course I completed six placements and these opportunities included working in an oncology department, paediatric ward, medical assessment ward, gastroenterology ward, as well as with those with learning disabilities, mental health issues and spinal injuries.

"The course lectures were well presented, and the clinical simulation suites made learning more realistic. My most memorable moment on the course was when I passed my first essay, this was a great achievement."

Helen Peace, completed the Foundation Degree: Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship)

This course is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Career support

"I loved the course. It provided the opportunity for me to gain a lot of practical skills, background and theoretical knowledge, as well as work with and support people of all ages across a wide range of healthcare settings. During the course I completed six placements and these opportunities included working in an oncology department, paediatric ward, medical assessment ward, gastroenterology ward, as well as with those with learning disabilities, mental health issues and spinal injuries.

"The course lectures were well presented, and the clinical simulation suites made learning more realistic. My most memorable moment on the course was when I passed my first essay, this was a great achievement."

Helen Peace, completed the Foundation Degree: Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship)

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Support Services will also be available from your employer.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

As this is an apprenticeship programme, this course will be funded by your employer through the Apprenticeship Levy. As you will be a paid employee, you are not able to take out a student loan.

Are you an employer? You’ll find lots of information about how apprenticeships are funded via the Apprenticeship Levy on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

As this is an apprenticeship programme, this course will be funded by your employer through the Apprenticeship Levy. As you will be a paid employee, you are not able to take out a student loan.

Are you an employer? You’ll find lots of information about how apprenticeships are funded via the Apprenticeship Levy on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.