ApprenticeshipNursing Associate (NMC 2018) Apprenticeship
Course overview
The nursing associate apprenticeship has been developed to create a new role in health and social care. These highly trained individuals will deliver effective, safe and responsive nursing care in and across a wide range of health and social care settings.
The nursing associate apprenticeship is an opportunity for current health and social care staff to develop their skills and knowledge and further their responsibilities within a healthcare environment. You’ll develop a wide range of clinical skills, including health promotion and preventing ill health, monitoring care, teamwork, improving safety and quality of care and contributing to integrated care to become an accountable practitioner in your own right working alongside registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.
We currently offer the Nursing Associate pathway aligned to the Institute for Apprenticeships standard.
The apprenticeship has been developed alongside our partner NHS Trusts and local care providers. The course draws on considerable expertise to deliver a sector-specific curriculum including pathways into various areas of nursing.
Your work-based training will be supplemented by external placement experiences, such as caring for people in their homes, community settings and acute hospital environments. Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve a foundation degree in health and social care practice and be able to join the NMC register as a qualified nursing associate.
Hear from out students
Read graduate, Peter Abbs-Fortnum's experience studying this apprenticeship
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Contact the apprenticeships team
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For employers
Apprenticeships can add value at all levels of your business:
- Upskill your staff with industry relevant qualifications.
- Drive an increase in productivity.
- Promote long-term loyalty and reduce staff turnover.
- Reduce the cost of qualifications and training.
- Develop staff with a minimum of interruption to day-to-day operations.
- Offer genuine opportunities for personal development.
For apprentices
Here's what a higher or degree apprenticeship can offer you:
- A combination of on-the-job and academic study which is relevant and applied.
- A continued wage and contract of employment which includes all the same benefits as any employee.
- A higher or degree qualification which is recognised, transferrable and the same level as if achieved through traditional study routes.
- A debt free future with zero tuition fees. (Please note, as apprenticeships are funded by employers, apprentices are not eligible to apply for Student Loans Company loans)
- An opportunity to develop new skills and progress within your industry.
What does this course lead to?
This is a new and exciting role to support the nursing family, with future opportunities to progress to become a Registered Nurse for those who have the aspiration and ability to do so. Once qualified, nursing associates will be able to work in a range of settings within the healthcare environment.
Who is this course for?
This apprenticeship is suitable for those already working in a healthcare setting who feel they have the qualities and philosophy required to become a caring, effective, professional and safe practitioner. Trainee nursing associate apprentices should demonstrate the following values:
- Caring personality
- Compassionate towards patients and families
- Competent and safe in practice
- Effective communication
- Courageous
- Committed to the highest standards of professionalism and nursing care.
Facilities
We have a dedicated clinical skills suite with a six bed ward, GP consulting room, nurse’s treatment room, waiting area/break out space, care home bedroom and working kitchen and bathroom. There is a wide range of clinical equipment including simulation manikins to facilitate a number of simulated scenarios.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Come to an open day
Fancy a sneak peek? Take a look around!
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
What you'll study
Core modules
Foundation Skills to Support Practice
As a foundational introduction to higher education, this module provides an opportunity for you to develop skills in academic reading and critical writing. It also provides knowledge, and promotes understanding, of key concepts in health and social care practice such as effective communication and equality in care settings. This knowledge underpins your practice and helps with skills development to enable you to work in a wide range of health and social care settings.
Anatomy and Physiology to Support Practice
You will learn about the biology of the main body systems, focusing on anatomy, physiology and pathology. You will also explore how the body systems interact to maintain homeostasis and gain an understanding of cellular function within the human body.
Long-Term Conditions
This module aims to support development of your knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours when caring for people with long-term conditions. You will explore the pathophysiology and aetiology of commonly occurring long-term conditions, the impact of the condition on an individual’s and family life, consider patient needs in community settings and explore patient transitions between different healthcare settings.
Introduction to Public Health and Health Promotion
This module will explore contemporary approaches to public health and examine the historical origins of the discipline in Britain which lie in the 19th century industrial age and the movement of populations from countryside to crowded cities. Public health utilises epidemiological and demographic data, and you will be introduced to the calculation of simple public health measures. Understanding the social determinants of health and the contribution of these to health inequalities entails new ways of thinking about social and economic organisation and governance in Britain. Public health expertise is increasingly important in diverse and complex 21st century societies and this module will help you to develop this expertise and apply it to your workplace role.
Developing Professional Practice
The module will explore accountability within health and social care by examining lessons learned from public inquiries and critical practice incidents.
Developing Practice-based Learning Year 1
This module aims to promote your understanding of the responsibilities, challenges and limitations of your professional role as a trainee nursing associate (TNA).
Successful apprentices will graduate with a:FdSc Health and Social Care Practice
How you'll study
You will learn through a combination of directed learning, collaborative learning and guided learning. You will also make use of the University's online learning platform Solent Online Learning (SOL).You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Essays
- Practical activities
- Reflective accounts
- Written exams
- Practical exams
- Oral presentations
- Poster presentations
- Reports
- End-point assessment
As well as learning skills that are directly relevant to your day-to-day job, the course also offers an opportunity to improve critical thinking and academic writing skills. Throughout the course you'll develop your skills in interpersonal communication, management and leadership, as well as teamwork and presentation skills.
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Fees and finance
Businesses with an annual payroll above £3million will be classed as a levy paying employer and will be able to use funds accrued in their digital apprenticeship service (DAS) account for payment of the training. Please contact us for guidance on fees if you are a non-levy employer which will cover at least 95% of the costs.
- The maximum funding drawdown for this course is: £15,000
Apprentices pay nothing towards their course fees
The course fees will be covered by your employer.
Extra course costs
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous other costs have been:
Optional costs
Uniform (2 x dress or 2 x top and 1 trouser) can be provided but you are likely to require additional uniforms which cost in the region of £30
Compulsory costs
- DBS – Enhanced DBS fee - met by the apprentice employer
- The apprentice employer will pay for an occupational health assessment/any immunisations if they are not covered by your GP
- You will need a pair of suitable comfortable shoes while on clinical placement and studying in our simulation settings (estimated cost £40-£60)
- You may need to purchase some of your own clinical items, for instance a stethoscope and fob watch (estimated cost £30)
- You will need to be able to travel to study at our partner NHS trusts and to your placement - travel costs will be associated with this
Optional Costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice you'll earn while working and studying towards your degree.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Entry Requirements
To study for an apprenticeship, you must be employed and have a contract that will cover the duration of your apprenticeship.
All apprentice applications need to go through apprenticeships@solent.ac.uk in the first instance. Applicants will be expected to provide the following documents during the onboarding process:
- CV
- Job description
- Maths and English certificates - GCSE/GCE/Functional Skills*
- Completed skills assessment (template provided by Solent's apprenticeships team)
- Passport/visa (showing access to public funds if non UK passport), or birth certificate
- Share code to show immigration status if applicable
Please note: if any certificates are from outside of the UK, you will need to have a Naric Equivalency Statement alongside the certificates.
* Maths and English delivery to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 can be provided for some courses and should be discussed at onboarding stage if you do not have Maths and English certificates at Grade 4/C and above.
Ready to apply?
If you are an employer or a potential apprentice and would like to have an in-depth conversation with us about potential opportunities, please email apprenticeships@solent.ac.uk.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship offers a unique blend of work experience and academic study. Candidates on an apprenticeship will work a paid job while simultaneously working towards a relevant qualification in their chosen field.
Apprentices are employees with a contract of employment that must cover the duration of the programme being studied. Apprentices have guaranteed time from their employer to complete their studies, at a minimum of six hours a week, known as off-the-job training hours. The University will provide each apprentice with a tracker to ensure these off the job hours are logged to demonstrate compliance with this funding rule.
Higher apprenticeships
Solent offers a diverse range of higher and degree apprenticeships, some of which will include an additional qualification that will be studied within the Apprenticeship Standard, eg: HNC, BA or BSc.
Our apprenticeships give employees the opportunity to upskill in their chosen field or retrain for a new career while working.
Employers will see an increase in knowledge and skills, improved productivity, and a boost in the expertise of the workforce.
Find out moreThinking of applying?
Visit us on campus and explore Solent University by registering for one of our apprenticeship events.
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