Higher Apprenticeship: FdSc Nursing Associate
Our Nursing Associate Apprenticeship enables new and existing healthcare staff to study for a foundation degree whilst in paid employment
Introduction
Our Nursing Associate Apprenticeship enables both new and existing healthcare staff to study for a fully-funded FdSc in nursing whilst in paid employment. The programme provides employers the opportunity to up-skill their workforce and plan to meet current and future healthcare needs.
Delivered by experienced Registered Nurses, the flexible, work-based programme provides apprentices with the knowledge and skills to support the provision of quality care across a range of healthcare settings. Apprentices will become an important part of the nursing family, helping to make a difference to individuals, their families and communities.
Programme overview
- Two-year, full-time course with attendance at University one day a week.
- Designed for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week, apprentices will remain part of the workforce and continue to contribute to patient/client care whilst working towards the qualification.
- For the duration of the programme employees will split their time between study and guided practice, as well as undertaking placements in a variety of settings.
- Employees have the option to study at Plymouth, our Knowledge Spa Campus in Truro or at our School of Nursing in Exeter.
- Once qualified, Nursing Associates may work across a wide range of healthcare settings, including acute or community hospitals (across a range of clinical areas); community nursing teams and GP practices.
How to apply
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Information for employees
The employing organisation manages the electronic application form and is responsible for supporting/guiding the applicant in the application process.
When the application form is completed by the apprentice this is returned to the employer who is then responsible for sending the application to: apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk
Apprentices do not pay any course fees - costs are covered by the government and/or employer
Funding models - for employers
We can support employers in accessing funding via the apprenticeship levy or provide alternative funding options to minimise or eradicate any up-front cost to the organisation.
There are currently two funding models;
- Fully-funded: Levy paying organisations
- Co–funded: Non levy organisations and Levy who have exceeded their Levy contribution.
Fully-funded
If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please contact us.
Employer contribution: Employee salary only
Apprentices contribution: £0
Co-funded
If you are a non-levy paying organisation (the annual pay bill of your organisation is less than £3 million) or you are a Levy organisation who has exceeded their pot, the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training – they will contribute 90 per cent of the costs and the employer will contribute 10 per cent.
- Government contribution £16,200.
- Employer contribution £1,800.
- Apprentice contribution £0.
- Must be employed for 30 hours or more in a health care setting
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check
- Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths, or GCSE Grade C or above
- Ability to work at academic Level 5
Key benefits
- @ Highest quality training - teaching is always current and integrates best practice, through internationally renowned research and national frameworks and policies
- @ Tailored to the employee - programme assessments will be linked to the apprentice’s current practice area, contributing to the overall process of organisational change and innovation
- @ An education provider you can trust - we’re one of the largest providers of healthcare education in the South West, with an excellent reputation for delivering nurse education at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- @ Support - employers and apprentices will be supported by nurse academics and our apprenticeship manager throughout the duration of the programme
“These new ways of entering nursing offer some really exciting opportunities for people wanting to have a rewarding career but can’t afford to study for a degree in the traditional way. The University of Plymouth is building on its established close relationships with NHS and private healthcare partners to create a ‘win-win’ for all - offering employment support, work-based learning, and the ability to gain a nursing registration in two years for healthcare employees who show talent and want to develop their nursing career.”
Professor Bridie Kent, Interim Executive Dean, Health and Human Sciences, University of Plymouth
Degree Apprenticeship: BSc (Hons) Nursing
On successful completion of the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree, employees may be interested in becoming a registered nurse. The Nursing Degree Apprenticeship is a flexible, work-based route for both new and existing healthcare practitioners.
The BSc (Hons) Nursing apprenticeship provides the opportunity to remain in employment whilst studying for a degree in adult or mental health nursing
Find out more about degree apprenticeships in nursing