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Christopher Johnson - Level 6 Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

“I had worked in an acute inpatient mental health setting for two years prior to starting my apprenticeship. Though I had initially set out to obtain a psychology job, I found myself thoroughly enjoying working on wards as a nursing assistant. I also found that many of the nurses I worked with became role models for me, and I learnt a great deal from them about providing excellent care for individuals in acute mental distress. The opportunity for a mental health nurse degree apprenticeship was advertised by my employer right around the time I had started seriously thinking about pursuing a career in nursing, so I jumped at the opportunity.”

How do you believe this apprenticeship will affect both your current job role and future career?

“This apprenticeship has secured me a job for two years at my organisation and has greatly increased my job prospects for the future. Having been on multiple placements already, I have had a chance to advertise myself as a future employee to various clinical settings during my time there as a student.”

I like the flexibility it offers in being able to fully focus on my degree and developing as a nurse while not having to worry about making a living at the same time.

How would you rate the teaching and support staff?

“This course was the first of its kind at NTU and started in the midst of a global pandemic. As such, there have been some difficult moments as the staff tried to organise what is already a complex degree in difficult circumstances. However, I think very highly of the staff as they have managed to get us through our first year during this difficult time and have had a lot of obstacles to deal with. I have always found the staff friendly and approachable, and have developed a good working relationship with many of them.”

What is your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?

“I like the flexibility it offers in being able to fully focus on my degree and developing as a nurse while not having to worry about making a living at the same time. As a course itself, my favourite thing is being able to go on multiple nursing placements and experience a wide variety of clinical areas in a short space of time.”

What skills and experience have you gained as part of this apprenticeship? Has there been anything that you were not expecting?

“I have principally developed my practical nursing skills as part of this apprenticeship. Much of the academic skills are ones I already possessed having completed two prior degrees, and just needed some practice and guidance to ease me back into using them.”

To learn more about our apprenticeship courses, please contact apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk.