Program Overview

Foundation Degree FDSC NURSING ASSOCIATE (NMC) (APPRENTICESHIP)

Overview

The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship is a highly trained, generic, nursing support role in England designed to bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Successful completion of this course gives you registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate. It can also be a stepping stone to becoming a Registered Nurse or progress in your career within the health and social care sector.

Entry Level Requirements

• UK Qualifications:
  • Maths and English GCSE A-C or grade 4 or level 2 equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above)
  • 48 UCAS tariff points e.g.:
    • BTEC National Extended Diploma (PPP) or
    • BTEC National Diploma (MP) or
    • BTEC National Foundation Diploma (M) or
    • BTEC Extended Certificate (D) or
    • A level (DD) or
    • Equivalent level 3 qualifications
• International Qualifications:
  • Equivalent qualifications
• All applicants must hold:
  • Maths and English GCSE A-C or grade 4 or level 2 equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above)
  • 48 UCAS tariff points e.g.:
    • BTEC National Extended Diploma (PPP) or
    • BTEC National Diploma (MP) or
    • BTEC National Foundation Diploma (M) or
    • BTEC Extended Certificate (D) or
    • A level (DD) or
    • Equivalent level 3 qualifications
• OR (for applicants who do not meet (partially or in full) the 48 UCAS tariff points required):
  • Significant, verifiable, and relevant work experience in health and/or social care, supported by a letter of recommendation from the manager and/or lead practice facilitator confirming the following has been assessed:
    • their ability to study to level 5 foundation degree level
    • the values and behaviours of the NHS Constitution
    • a commitment to completing the programme.

Fees

• Tuition fees for home students: £
• Tuition fees for international students: £
• The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy.

Funding

• The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships.
• Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not).
• You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers
• The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.

Bands

• Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard.
• There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.

Incentives

• Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government.
• All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government.

Course Content

Year 1

• Biosciences for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
  • This module provides an understanding of the structure and function of the main body’s systems and how the human body maintains homeostasis.
• Communication and person-centred care (20 credits) – Semester 1
  • The focus of this module is on patient-centred care to promote patient safety.
• Introducing evidence-based practice for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
  • This module introduces the nature of evidence in health and social care and the importance of evidence-based practice for patients and their families and their safety and quality of experience.
• Recognising and meeting care needs (60 credits) – Semesters 1 and 2
  • This module will introduce students to the values, frameworks and skills that underpin working as a Nursing Associate.

Year 2

• Promoting health and preventing ill health for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
  • This module introduces public health concepts and contemporary public health issues, the principles of which can then be applied at an individual and population level and within a local, national, and global context.
• Applied physiology for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
  • This module will extend and deepen students’ understanding of human physiology, which will then be applied to physiological changes that take place during disease processes.
• Pharmacology and medicines management for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
  • This module aims to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and medicines management to ensure students are ready to administer medicines upon registration with the NMC.
• Team Working and Role Transition (20 credits) – Semester 2
  • This module will develop and build effective team working and leadership skills in a complex and multidimensional health care setting.
• Providing and monitoring care for Nursing Associates (40 credits)- Semesters 1 and 2
  • This module builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills and extends these for application to more complex scenarios across the life span.

Careers

• Employability Service
  • At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career.
  • During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
    • Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
    • Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary.
    • You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
    • LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
• Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Professional Accreditation

• This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council

Teaching and Assessment

• A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used to support individuals learning styles and build competence in various methods of assessment.
• Teaching includes lectures, seminars, skills-lab simulations, online learning, role-play, debates/discussion, as well as supervised learning within the clinical area.
• Assessment methods utilised include essays, group projects, written examinations, presentations, and OSCEs.
• Apprentices must demonstrate competence in all skills, knowledge, and behaviours, as defined by the integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standard.
• In order to successfully complete the award, apprentices must also evidence a minimum of 20% of their time in ‘of the job training’ activities, this can be achieved in a variety of ways; attending lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, skills-lab sessions, e-learning, blended learning and self-managed learning.