Higher Apprenticeship Nursing Associate

Who is it for?

This apprenticeship is ideal for new and existing healthcare support workers (HCSWs) and healthcare employers interested in forming collaborative partnerships with ambition to be at the forefront of evidence-informed clinical practice.

Learning outcomes

• FdSc Nursing Associate
• Professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Enhanced care delivery across health and care settings
• Skills required for evidence-based practice
• A problem-solving approach to clinical practice 
• Professionalism and accountability
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Teamwork and leadership

Modules and teaching overview

The course runs for 27 months. Apprentices attend the University for one day a week and combine classroom study with their job role. Apprentices also complete 675 hours of contrasting placements over the course of the apprenticeship. On completion of the foundation degree, apprentices are entered for the end point assessment.

Apprentices complete:

Year 1

• Study skills for foundation degrees
• Practice-Based Learning 1
• Science for Health and Social Care
• Specialist Care Skills Therapeutic Caring
• Practice Based Learning 2
• Applied Social Science for Health Care Professionals

Year 2 

• Social Policy and Welfare Systems
• Specialist Care Skills Therapeutic Caring 2
• Practice-Based Learning 3
• Applied Evidence to Practice
• Legal and Ethical Aspects of Care
• Practice-Based Learning 4

Entry requirements, application process and costs

• The cost for the Apprenticeship for 2019/20 entry: £15,000 (drawn down from the monthly employer levy)
• Apprentices should hold either a work-based level 3 qualification relevant to health and care such as an advanced apprenticeship, or a level 3 NVQ or other vocational/A-Level qualifications
• Some employers may require completion of Functional Level 2 Maths and English prior to entry onto the programme
• Employers should contact the University Apprenticeship team. We’ll carry out an initial assessment to ensure the apprenticeship is suitable for the candidates and meets employer’s requirements. A contract and commitment statement will need to be agreed prior to signing up an apprentice.

End Point Assessment (EPA)

On successful completion of the modules above and the required work based practice in the apprentice's usual and a contrasting setting, the apprentice will be entered for the End Point Assessment (EPA). The EPA will be conducted by an independent organisation agreed by the employer and the University. The EPA comprises two professional discussions based on two scenarios to assess skills, knowledge and behaviours.

The Oxford Brookes Experience

• The Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery (OSN+M) is an exciting and innovative partnership which seeks to be at the forefront of research driven education, clinical practice and high-quality healthcare research
• In collaboration with other universities and healthcare providers, OSN+M enjoys an international reputation in healthcare research, with the majority of our research considered to be world-leading (Research Excellence Framework assessment 2014)
• The programme team are all registered healthcare professionals who hold over 10 years' experience in their field
• The apprenticeship programme integrates the teaching, learning and support that the University offers alongside mentoring and training offered within your healthcare setting.