Study care for diverse patients and hone your skills with a broad range of practical experiences. Complete our foundation nursing associate course and you’ll gain eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The role of nursing associate is a new position in the nursing team, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Developed by Health Education England and a number of universities from across the country, including Edge Hill, it improves access to professional nursing healthcare across the UK.
People are living longer, often with complex medical needs. The support of nursing associates gives registered nurses confidence that another group of professionals can step in to care for those with less complicated conditions, as they develop their knowledge and skills.
As a nursing associate you’ll deliver compassionate and safe care in all four fields of nursing – adult, child, learning disabilities and mental health. You’ll work alongside healthcare workers and registered nurses.
During this foundation nursing associate programme you’ll learn how to assess, plan, practice and evaluate the care needs of patients in a variety of healthcare settings. You’ll work with patients’ families and carers to encourage, educate and improve their health.
You’ll study how to carry out duties such as clinical observation, and supporting individuals and their families and carers. This will build your transferable skills in communication, teamwork, digital, and role modelling.
Learn to effectively discuss and share patient information. Explore how to monitor behaviour, activity and responses, while ensuring privacy, dignity and safety. Cover safeguarding issues for vulnerable children and adult
This two-year foundation degree is delivered within a supportive learning environment. It offers perspectives on health, ill health, health promotion and protection, life sciences and nursing practice in a range of settings. It comprises approximately 50% theory and 50% practice.
You will have the opportunity to achieve national proficiencies relating to the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates. This will enable you to become an accountable professional, promote health and prevent ill health, provide and monitor care, work as part of a team, improve safety and the quality of care, and contribute to integrated care.
This course adheres closely to the six core values of the NHS. These values, enshrined within the NHS Constitution, have been developed by patients, the public and staff to inspire passion in the NHS, guide it in the 21st century, and provide common ground for cooperation in achieving shared aspirations.
YEAR 1
During Year 1 of the Nursing Associate FdSC, we’ll introduce the foundations for nursing associate practice. Develop your knowledge of the principles that underpin professional practice and patient care. You’ll study the approaches that will help you hone your critical thinking and assessment skills. Understand the value of becoming an evidence-based nursing associate who provides holistic care to patients of all ages.
The Foundations of Nursing Associate Practice provides you with a foundation of the fundamental principles which underpin professional practice to equip you with the skills, knowledge and competencies required to deliver safe and effective care in a range of settings. The module covers the concepts of professionalism, accountability and personal and professional development, establishing the values required of a nursing associate and considering the parameters of person-centred care. You will gain expertise in nursing procedures necessary for real-world practice and develop communications skills for practice with a range of client groups, across a variety of settings, underpinned by knowledge of biology, psychology and sociology across the lifespan.
YEAR 2
Prepare yourself for life after graduation and study the role of a nursing associate. Gain the experience and skills needed to become a partner in care with your patients and members of the multidisciplinary team. You’ll graduate with a deeper knowledge of biology, psychology and sociology. Brush up on your communication skills and understand what it means to give person-centred care in a range of settings.
Preparing for the Role of the Nursing Associate recognises that research evidence underpins real-world practice. The module therefore supports the development and enhancement of critical thinking skills which can be applied to the delivery of person-centred care and patient safety. Preparation for the workplace is key to this module and the focus on care organisation as well as the delivery of care will enable you to position yourself as a partner to both the patient and interdisciplinary care teams. You will use evidence-based practice to develop your understanding of, and ability to provide, holistic care across the lifespan and to a range of groups and health and social care settings. As you progress towards registration, you will develop your coaching, supervision and delegation skills and gain an understanding of how research and reflection activities can enhance the quality of patient care and services.
The Nurse Associate Level 5 apprenticeship is recruited twice every year. This recruitment usually starts in the Spring and the autumn. All vacancies for this apprenticeship will be advertised via the Trust Vacancy pages. Click here to see vacancies
Typical offer 32 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
You must also have GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). This is a standardised requirement across all providers of the Nurse Associate Level 5 Apprenticeship. Evidence of these qualifications must be provided at the point of application.
If you require any further information about Maths and English or if you need to gain these qualifications please visit the Functional skills Yourspace Pages
If you accept an offer to become a Nurse Associate you will need to satisfy the requirements of the Nursing & Midwifery Council in respect of physical and mental fitness and will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults’. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.
Qualification Requirement
(At least one of the below plus Maths and English GCSE or Equivalent)
A Level - EE.
Apprenticeship Level 3 or BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) - Pass, Pass, Pass (PPP).
T Level - Overall grade of Pass (E or above on the core).
International Baccalaureate - (IB)We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma - 45 credits at Level 3.