An employer’s guide to the
Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship Level 5 (Foundation degree)
At Bucks New University we have a history of excellence in healthcare education and have been approved by the NMC to run undergraduate nursing progammes for many years. Bucks has been consistently recognised for its teaching excellence and has won a number of awards from both the Student Nursing Times and The Guardian University Awards, most notably: • partnership of the Years at the Student Nursing Times Awards (2016) for an initiative which supports the recruitment and training of its student nurses and social workers • teaching Excellence category at the Guardian University Awards (2016) for innovative simulation to enhance nursing and health students’ learning • teaching Innovation of the Year Award (2018) for training with dementia simulation at the Student Nursing Times Awards 2018. Our high-tech simulation and learning facilities are designed to be a realistic representation of life as a healthcare professional, with simulation labs and realistic manikins. Apprentices can book the simulation suites for self-directed learning to practice skills learnt in the work place. The Nursing Associate is a highly trained support role to assist the Registered Nurse to deliver effective, safe and responsive care and will become a key part of the multi-disciplinary workforce that is needed to respond to the future healthcare needs of the public and patients. Nursing Associates will be able to work independently, within defined parameters of practice, under the direction of a Registered Nurse, to deliver care in line with an agreed/ defined plan of care. The FDSc Nursing Associate Apprenticeship is a two-year programme which aims for education and service providers to deliver a high quality and innovative work-based learning programme of education and training for Nursing Associates. The programme equips Nursing Associate Apprentices with the knowledge, skills and behaviours that enable them to support the delivery of nursing care in and across a range of health and care settings, according to their parameters of practice.
Key features of the programme are: • facilitated work-based learning and assessment through close collaboration between employers and the University • experience in alternative settings in order to gain wider practice experience • work place supervisor (provided by your organisation) who can assess apprentice for skills competence.
Qualification Successful apprentices will gain an accredited Level 5 Nursing Associate foundation degree (FDSc) from Bucks New University. They must also achieve, if they do not already hold these, Level 2 English and Maths prior to taking their end-point assessment.
Course Structure Level four modules
Level five modules
Fundamental physiology for nursing care
Care delivery
Well-being across the life span
Evidence-based practice and research for nursing care
Professional practice 1
Professional practice 2
Investigating work-based Learning
Skills for professional practice 2
Understanding reflective practice and enquiry based learning
Organisational skills and behaviours
Duration Apprenticeships are work-based so training and assessment predominantly takes place within your organisation, however at least 20 per cent of an apprentice’s time must be dedicated towards their study. This must be part of their contracted hours but can be delivered through training off the job (in-house education), day release, and shadowing of healthcare professionals. This higher degree apprenticeship programme is currently being delivered over two years with approximately 20 days a year are work-based learning modules, all working towards meeting the apprenticeship standard for Nursing Associate.
VALUE ADDED POINTS
Who can apply?
• Award-winning simulated learning in specialist skills areas utilising high fidelity mannequins and equipment giving apprentices the opportunity to interact and deepen apprentices’ knowledge in practical working environments.
An apprentice can be a new or existing member of staff. They must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week and must not already hold a degree in that area or be receiving funding for other training.
• Bucks can assist you to promote apprenticeships within your organisation to eligible employees or help recruit external candidates.
An employer must employ the apprentice in a real job with a real salary and financially contribute towards the cost of training and accreditation with support from the government.
• All apprentices complete a pre-Apprenticeship (PREP) module during induction which enables a “self-review” against the apprenticeship standard and the needs of the role and of the employer.
Entry requirements?
• The Apprenticeship Lead for the Trust will be supported by allocated Account Managers who are responsible for maintaining the contract, advising on compliance and any ongoing issues. • Bucks uses an online Learner Management System (APTEM) which manages the entire apprentice journey, making sure that all elements of the learning plan are covered and progress is tracked. • Bucks has also developed a bespoke apprenticeship Work Place Mentor programme, available online, which will support those undertaking the Apprenticeship Lead role to understand how to support the apprentice in their professional development and identifying opportunities for learning in the workplace. • The apprentice has continuous access to their LMS mobile app, which enables regular contact between Programme Leader and apprentice, providing realtime data and updates on progress and provides a quick and effective communication channel.
Tuition fees The apprenticeship levy will be paid by employers in any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year. Those employers will be able to use their apprenticeship levy funds to access degree apprenticeships from higher education providers. Non-levy paying employers will receive up to 90% funding towards the costs of apprenticeships. Higher and degree apprenticeships can be offered to anyone over the age of 19. There is no upper age limit and no cost to the apprentice. The training costs for employers may vary for individuals depending on their age. Apprenticeships can be open to current members of staff to support career development.
Individual employers will identify entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, training or other criteria. Most candidates will have Level 2 Maths and English (equivalent to GCSE grade C or above), ideally as part of 5 GCSE A-C grades or other comparable qualifications. Apprentices without English or Maths at Level 2 must achieve this prior to the completion of the Apprenticeship.
LOCATIONS Buckingham
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS AYLESBURY VALE
AYLESBURY VALE
Aylesbury
MISSENDEN ABBEY
Great Missenden
WYCOMBE
CHILTERN Amersham
High Wycombe
SOUTH BUCKS Uxbridge
MIDDLESEX
HIGH WYCOMBE CAMPUS
UXBRIDGE CAMPUS
High Wycombe Campus Queen Alexandra Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ
BucksNewUni
University Campus Aylesbury Vale
BucksNewUni
Walton Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QG
BucksNewUni
Uxbridge Campus
@BucksNewUni
BucksNewUniversity bucks.ac.uk
106 Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex, UB8 1NA Missenden Abbey London Road Great Missenden Buckinghamshire, HP16 0BD Telephone: 01296 744 202
For more information visit:
Fax: 01494 524 392 International: +44 1494 605 259
bucks.ac.uk/apprenticeships
This information is accurate at the time of going to press. © Buckinghamshire New University 2018
05/18
Email: apprenticeships@bucks.ac.uk