This new Nursing Associate role developed by the Department of Health, aims to deliver high quality, holistic, person-centred safe and effective nursing care in and across a wide range of health and care settings.

• You’ll learn how to respond to the physical, cognitive and mental health care needs of all patients and service users across their lifespan.
• Supported by a team who really understand the role of a nursing associate, you’ll learn through face to face and online lectures, seminars, group work, simulation and role play.
• You'll practice and develop your skills through clinical placements in a range of statutory, private and voluntary services, in order to prepare you to pursue your career.
• You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

Nursing associates work across all fields of nursing including adult, children, mental health and learning disability, alongside healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public. In the role you'll discuss and share information with registered nurses on a patients’ condition, behaviour, activity and responses; support individuals and their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life-changing diagnoses; undertake and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse, as well as recognising issues relating to safeguarding.

This Nursing Associate Foundation Degree course is a full-time two year undergraduate course consisting of Foundation (Year 1) and Intermediate (Year 2) Level study at Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Levels 4 and 5 respectively, which is in keeping with the Framework for Higher Education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008). The course is designed to be progressively demanding between levels. Once qualified, Nursing Associates will be regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Students studying this course are eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund Website.

You must:

• Have GCSE English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English.
• Be 17 years old or above at enrolment (minimum age for placements).

Offers will be subject to an interview and references.

You must also complete a Rehabilitation of Offenders form and will need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearances prior to registration on the course. We arrange these as part of the application process. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year and at the end of the course. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course. Please note that the course you are applying for is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which permits recognition of prior learning that is capable of being mapped to the Standards of proficiency for nursing associates and programme outcomes, up to a maximum of 50% of the programme. This maximum limit of 50% does not apply to applicants to preregistration nursing associate programmes who are currently a NMC registered nurse without restrictions on their practice.