FdSc Nursing Associate

Program Overview

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Course Overview

The FdSc Nursing Associate programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to deliver safe and effective care as a nursing associate. The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and is delivered by expert teaching staff with a range of teaching and learning approaches.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street, Lancaster
• Institute: Institute of Health
• UCAS Code: B750
• Delivery Style: Hybrid
• Course Duration: Full-time: 2 Years
• Course Start Point: March, September
• Award: FdSc
• More information: Programme Specification, Prospectus

Minimum Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS Tariff points
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent portfolio of evidence
• GCSE English (Language) and Maths at grades 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (Year)
• £14,900 - International (Year)

What Our Students and Graduates Say

• "My tutors are amazing! They take time to get to know all their students personally, take an interest in us and then support us with our own ambitions. They are so invested in us and so supportive, it would be hard not to form a strong bond with them." - Catherine Hind, Mental Health Nursing

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) - Nursing/Registered Nurse: Adult Nursing
• BSc (Hons) - Children's Nursing

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

• Spend 50% of the programme on clinical placement being supervised and assessed by practice staff
• Learn and work alongside all fields of nursing and the multi-disciplinary team whilst on placement, and recognise the contribution of different health professionals' roles and expertise
• Develop skills through a range of nursing placements that will be a mixture of hospital and community settings, and through skills teaching and simulated practice
• Prepare to deliver a wide range of clinical, care and interpersonal skills underpinned by a systematic knowledge base
• Develop and accomplish the knowledge and skills you need to practise and provide evidenced-based and compassionate care as a registered nursing associate

Year One

• Applied Biological Sciences for Health
• Professional Practice & Accountability
• Developing Evidence-Based Practice
• Introduction to Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Concepts of Health & Social Policy
• Introduction to Nursing Associate Practice

Year Two

• Pharmacology and Medicine Therapeutics
• Living with Long Term Conditions Across the Lifespan
• Learning from the Lived Experience
• Communication and Relationship Management in a Therapeutic Context
• Understanding Care Needs
• The Nursing Associate as Leader

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

• A variety of teaching and learning methods are utilised on the FdSc Nursing Associate Programme
• Learning and teaching is designed to support your academic and professional development and we encourage self-study and independent learning

How You Will Be Assessed

• The FdSc Nursing Associate Programme utilises a variety of assessment methods
• Each module assessment is required to be achieved and the method may be different with each module that you take
• You will be assessed through written examinations, coursework assignments and essays, portfolios, oral presentations, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)

Overview

• Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range
• Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range

Fitness to Practise

• All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening
• Further information will be provided following acceptance of an offer (and no earlier than three months before the course start date)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

• If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

• GCSEs: GCSE English (Language) and Maths at grades 4-9 or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent
• Other experience: NVQ Level 3 or equivalent portfolio of evidence (as determined by the programme leader)

Fair Admissions

• When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application
• We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references

Selection Criteria

• As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Nursing Associate
• If you are invited to attend interview then we strongly recommend you review the NHS Values and Behaviours

Contextual Admissions

• Going to higher education can transform a person’s life
• We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed

Returning to Education

• If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us

Language Requirements

• Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (Year)
• £14,900 - International (Year)

International Finance

• At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses

More Information

• We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us

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• Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
• Lancaster Campus

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Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This two-year course aims to train students to become Nursing Associates, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). As a Nursing Associate, you will work within a nursing team in all four areas of nursing: adult, children's, learning disabilities, and mental health nursing. You will provide care for people of all ages in a range of settings, from homes to community and inpatient facilities, alongside healthcare assistants and registered nurses. Upon completion, students will be eligible to register with the NMC and practice as a Nursing Associate, with the option to further their education through a top-up course or degree apprenticeship to become a registered nurse.

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Objectives:

• Develop the knowledge and skills to practice and provide evidence-based and compassionate care as a registered Nursing Associate.
• Learn and work alongside professionals in all fields of nursing and the multidisciplinary team during placements.
• Recognize the contributions of different health professionals' roles and expertise.
• Develop skills through a mix of hospital and community placements, skills teaching, and simulated practice.
• Prepare to deliver a wide range of clinical, care, and interpersonal skills underpinned by a systematic knowledge base.

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Outline:

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Year One:

• Modules:
• Applied Biological Sciences for Health: Fundamental concepts of human body systems and their application to clinical practice and decision making.
• Professional Practice & Accountability: Legal, ethical, and professional concepts informing complex decision making in healthcare.
• Developing Evidence-Based Practice: Critical evaluation skills for the evidence informing practice.
• Introduction to Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Communication, interpersonal, and self-awareness skills for culturally appropriate and compassionate nursing care.
• Concepts of Health & Social Policy: Perspectives on biological, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and behavioral determinants of health, promoting person-centered well-being across the lifespan.
• Introduction to Nursing Associate Practice: Fundamental principles informing Nursing Associate Practice.
• Placement:
• Two placements assessed against NMC proficiencies, both mandatory.

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Year Two:

• Modules:
• Pharmacology and Medicine Therapeutics: Understanding and applying the principles of pharmacology and medicine therapeutics in care management.
• Living with Long Term Conditions Across the Lifespan: Knowledge of the causes, presentation, and management of long-term conditions across the lifespan.
• Learning from the Lived Experience: Analyzing and formulating contextual knowledge through problem-based learning and reflection using narratives of individuals accessing health and social care.
• Communication and Relationship Management in a Therapeutic Context: Recognizing, selecting, and utilizing appropriate communication strategies and therapeutic skills.
• Understanding Care Needs: Developing knowledge, skills, and understanding of holistic patient assessment and management.
• The Nursing Associate as Leader: Developing knowledge, skills, and understanding of managing others and leading teams.
• Placement:
• Two placements assessed against NMC proficiencies.

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Assessment:

• Methods:
• Written examinations
• Coursework assignments and essays
• Portfolios
• Oral presentations
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
• NMC proficiencies in clinical practice are assessed during placements.
• Criteria:
• Achievement of all module assessments.
• Acquisition of skills and achievement in NMC proficiencies in clinical practice.
• Demonstration of professionalism, attitude, values, and character.
• Successful completion of placements (a second failed placement results in withdrawal from the program).

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Teaching:

• Methods:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Smaller classroom discussions
• Student colleague group work (e.g., group presentations)
• E-learning activities
• Interactive approaches
• Simulation
• Case study examinations
• Problem-solving activities
• Faculty:
• Experienced academic team with expertise closely matched to module content.
• Includes senior lecturers, lecturers, and service user guests (patients and relatives).
• All academic staff delivering the program are registered nurses who maintain their NMC registration.

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Careers:

• Potential Paths:
• Registered Nursing Associate
• Further education through a top-up course or degree apprenticeship to become a registered nurse.

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Other:

• Clinical Skills and Simulation Facilities:
• The University of Cumbria has excellent clinical skills and simulation facilities, including simulated ward areas, high dependency care areas, home spaces, and a dedicated immersive simulation room that provides experience in real-life scenarios.
• Fitness to Practice:
• Offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening.
• The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has specific requirements regarding health and good character status of applicants and students.
• Applicants may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments and whether core professional competencies are achievable.
• Medical clearance and vaccination requirements are also outlined.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS):
• An Enhanced DBS background clearance check is required upon acceptance of an offer.

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Tuition Fees 2024 - 2025 £9,250 - UK £13,575 - International