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Nursing Associate Level 5 Foundation Degree Apprenticeship FdA / Foundation

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
  • Start Date(s): October 2024
  • Duration: Two years
  • Study Mode(s): Part-time (day)
  • Campus: Clifton Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
Information for 2024

Introduction:

Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) this work-based apprenticeship course is designed for staff in employment across health and social care to meet the NMC standards of proficiency for nursing associates.

Delivered on a day-release basis at NTU's newly developed Institute for Health and Allied Professionals at the Clifton Campus.

The course has been developed in partnership with employers to create a programme of study to meet the needs of a wide range of health and social care settings. It has been designed to be academically rigorous and provide both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for progression to Nursing Associate roles within health and social care settings. The design of this programme is founded on the principles of providing high quality, evidence-based person-centred care.

This course integrates collaborative learning and uses a wide range of assessment methods to ensure that the course will be engaging and challenging. Throughout the course, the learning materials and assessments have a work-based focus, using case-studies, problem-based learning and blended learning methods to demonstrate how theory underpins health and social care practice.

Students will access a wide variety of placements for 20 weeks over the two years to achieve the NMC programme hours and practice learning requirements. These placements will include experiences in adult, children’s, mental health and learning disability areas, across the lifespan in a variety of setting across community, hospital, primary and social care settings.

Course accreditation

  • NMC Logo

What you’ll study

This course aims to provide a route to achieving the Foundation Degree [Higher] Apprenticeship for Nursing Associate by combining all the components required for this apprenticeship in a single, unified programme of study.

  • Professional Practice and Accountability
  • Promoting Health and Wellbeing
  • Person Centred Care
  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology
  • Essence of Care 1 and 2
  • Managing Long Term Conditions
  • Leadership and Teamwork
  • Supervision, Assessment and Communication
  • Optimising Safety and Quality in Healthcare

Completing your Apprenticeship

To achieve the apprenticeship, all apprentices must complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA is an independent assessment that ascertains whether an apprentice is competent in their occupation.

Gateway

Gateway is the period of time between the end of the off-the-job training (practical period) and the beginning of the assessment period when EPA will take place.

At Gateway, the apprentice, employer and training provider will review the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to determine whether they are ready to take their EPA. This is normally done at a Gateway review meeting which takes place near the end of the apprenticeship. At this meeting, all three parties will check that the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed and that the apprentice is ready to take their final assessment(s).

Apprentices must meet the Gateway requirement set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.

End-Point Assessment

This apprenticeship is integrated. This means that the end-point assessment is administered by Nottingham Trent University and is usually linked to the academic award that apprentices study whilst in their off-the-job training period.

Details of the assessment elements can be found in the assessment plan.

The end-point assessment for this apprenticeship standard is the examination board.

Successful completion of this apprenticeship will meet the education requirements for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

How you’re taught

Your learning will have a work-based focus, with a wide range of activities and methods. You'll attend for one full week of study at the beginning of each academic year and then regularly attend for one day per week alongside blended and independent learning activities for 44 weeks a year.

Case Studies

Sarah Oscroft

“I wanted to be able to study, whilst still earning a full-time wage. An apprenticeship enabled me to have the freedom of being able to learn, gain new skills and experience all whilst not having to sacrifice the security of full-time pay. I was looking for a challenge and it’s a great way to be supported by your employer to progress in an area you are interested in.”

Read Sarah's story

Alison Ayliffe-Jessup

"I had been working as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in General Practice for 10 years when my Nurse Manager suggested the Nursing Associate (NA) Apprenticeship programme during my appraisal. At this time, I was 50 and had four teenagers to manage with my partner! I had enjoyed a career prior to having children as a Primary Teacher for thirteen years but had taken time out for family and working as an HCA had opened my eyes to new opportunities in Nursing. An apprenticeship was ideal for me as I could study whilst still working."

Read Alison's story

How you’re assessed

Assessment methods include:

  • A Practice Assessment Document and Ongoing Achievement Record which will be in the format of an E-portfolio on a PebblePad platform
  • Essays
  • Reflective accounts
  • Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
  • Presentations
  • Academic posters
  • Multiple choice and short answer question exams
  • Professional discussion
  • Medication calculation exam

Campus and facilities

The purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre is home to our world-class teaching, practice, research and scholarship in the Institute of Health and Allied Professions (IHAP).

Entry requirements

  • All applicants must have GCSE grade 4 (C) in Maths and English or;
  • Level 2 qualification in Maths and English
  • Applicants must attend and complete an assessment day before a place is offered.

You must also hold employment within a health and social care setting that

  • Allows a sufficient level of flexibility to facilitate the required 20% off the job training.
  • Provides opportunity for the development of new skills and application of theory to practice.
  • Is either permanent or subject to a contract which will last for the duration of the course.

You must be sponsored by an employer who must

  • Enter in to a contract with the learner and NTU, pledging to provide adequate support and opportunities for development to enable the learner to succeed.
  • Agree to accommodate the 20% off the job training requirement, ensuring that the apprentice can attend all taught sessions delivered at NTU city campus as well as having time to conduct independent study.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Unfortunately English apprenticeships are not available for EU or international students.

Fees and funding

To undertake an apprenticeship you must be employed - as such, your employer will pay your tuition fees.

If you or your employer have any questions regarding the fees and funding available for this apprenticeship, please see our Apprenticeships pages, contact our Apprenticeships team at apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk, or call +44 (0)115 848 2589.

Unfortunately English apprenticeships are not available for EU or international students.

How to apply

To apply click the Apply button at the top of the page.

For further information visit our apprenticeship pages or email us.

Unfortunately English apprenticeships are not available for EU or international students.