Key details

Start date(s)
April 2025 (TBC)
Study Mode
Full-time (2 years)
Location
Main Campus (Horsforth)
School
Health and Life Sciences

FD Nursing Associate (Apprenticeship)

This work-based programme is designed to provide the essential knowledge, understanding and skills required to deliver effective, safe and compassionate care across a wide range of health and social care settings including acute, primary, community and social care.  

Core areas of the programme focus on developing a broad understanding of the principles for delivering compassionate care, working in health-focused teams and how to be an accountable professional.

The apprentice will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of their employer.

This course is subject to approval by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Leeds Trinity University. 

The Student Contract

About this course

Nursing Associates work with various healthcare professionals including healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver high-quality person-centered and holistic care to individuals, families and carers across the lifespan. This includes assessing, leading, coordinating and evaluating all patients' physical, cognitive, mental and social healthcare needs, whether at home, in the community or the hospital.  

Find out more about the role of Nursing Associate.

Apprentices will be taught by experienced staff who are dedicated to helping you with all aspects of your progress. A strong emphasis is placed on supporting apprentices to develop the skills for successful study at university, along with the theoretical knowledge and clinical practice skills needed for the nursing associate role thereby enabling them to apply what they've learned toward future career ambitions. Nursing Associate is a stand-alone role, but the course is also a good step towards studying further, including studying for a degree in nursing. 

Nursing Associates are integral members of multidisciplinary teams and interprofessional learning opportunities are embedded throughout the course. 

Apprentices must fulfil all course requirements to be eligible for the Foundation Degree. Student Nursing Associates who achieve 240 credits and pass the End Point Assessment will qualify to apply for registration as a Nursing Associate and gain entry to the Professional Register.

Programme duration and delivery

You must complete the requisite 2300 hours required by the NMC (divided equally between 50% theory and 50% practice) with:

At least 60% (720 hours) of protected learning time in your existing place of work (primary placement)  
At least 20% (460 hours) spent within academic study (University) 
At least 20% (460 hours) spent at external placements.

Theory sessions will consist of a variety of teaching and learning approaches, on campus, including face-to-face teaching with lecturers, seminars and workshops, working independently and in small groups. You will also engage in practical sessions, developing skills and competency through simulation-based activities in our high-fidelity simulation suite practising clinical skills. Some academic content will be given to you to complete as guided independent study, self-directed study, and reading.

Time in university will be split into six, fortnightly blocks spread evenly across each year, enabling you to enjoy the experience of University learning with dedicated and focused time to concentrate on your studies and reflect on the learning you have engaged in relating this to your practice and professional, legal and ethical frameworks.   

Time in practice will be in your existing place of work (primary placement) and you will also undertake specialist external placements to ensure you have a breadth of experience in different settings including paediatrics, learning disabilities, mental health, and general adult care. 

During practise learning the apprentice will have protected practice learning time at your primary placement and experience external placements in a variety of different healthcare settings. These hours will be included as part of the agreement for ‘off the job’ training hours.

This apprenticeship is delivered through block delivery via a blended learning approach. Apprentices benefit from face-to-face lectures and seminars, and online Virtual Tutorial Cafes (VTCs) to ensure that regular support and contact is provided during each module. All content will be delivered by Leeds Trinity University. In addition to this, apprentices will also complete independent research activities which can be undertaken in the workplace.

Please note: This course will only run if minimum student numbers are met.

Leeds Health and Care Talent Hub

The Leeds Health and Care Talent Hub can help apprentices find employment, education, training and volunteering opportunities in the health and social care sector in Leeds through a holistic and person-centred approach tailored to individual ambitions and circumstances. From entry-level jobs to experienced roles working in one of the city’s NHS Trusts, Leeds City Council, a GP practice, an independent care provider or a caring charity, the Talent Hub can connect those willing with the right opportunity, direct links to the relevant recruitment processes, and provide essential information and support.

Course modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Year 1

During the first year, the apprentice will study six core modules.

Personal and Professional Accountability for Nursing Associate Practice Principles of Biopsychosocial Concepts, Medicines Management and Essential Skills for Nursing Associate Practice Nursing Associate Practice 1 Communication and Relationship Management Skills for Inclusive and Collaborative Person-Centred Care Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health of Individuals, Communities, and Populations Nursing Associate Practice 2

Year 2

During the second year, the apprentice will study six core modules.

Applied Anatomy and Physiology, Pharmacology and Essential Skills for Nursing Associate Practice Evidence-Based Approaches to Improving Patient Safety and Quality in Healthcare Nursing Associate Practice 3 Integrated Care Delivery for People with Complex Needs Across the Life Span Transition to Registered Nursing Associate: Leading, Supporting, and Supervising Others Nursing Associate Practice 4
Gateway and End Point Assessment

This guides apprentices through the final stages of their apprenticeship, focusing on preparing for the Gateway process and End Point Assessment (EPA). Apprentices will critically reflect on their learning journey, ensure their portfolio meets the necessary criteria, and work with tutors and employers to identify any gaps.

This equips apprentices with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the EPA, covering project submissions, presentations, and professional discussions.

Learning and teaching

Assessments aim to determine the achievement of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) as identified in the apprenticeship framework, with learning outcomes identified for each module. Methods used include essays, case studies, reports, presentations, posters, written and clinical examinations and portfolios. 

Assessments of theory will be undertaken in a variety of ways, eg exams, written academic assignments, written reflections/portfolios; presentations, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

You will be provided with Nursing Associate Practice Assessment Documents (NAPADs) to document achievement of proficiencies and requirements of both the End Point Assessment (EPA) and NMC registration. Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors will support, assess and provide evidence of clinical competence

Final discussions will occur with your Academic Assessor to ensure you meet requirements to progress to your next part of the programme or registration (as appropriate). You will also complete 50 hours of simulation practice education each academic year.

The EPA for this apprenticeship is an Exam Board that incorporates all the progression points of your programme, and will determine the overall apprenticeship standard. The EPA grades of pass/fail will be assessed by an independent assessor from the End Point Assessment Organisation. The EPA starts with the Exam Board and finishes when the University uploads the apprentice’s course and personal details to the NMC database and sends the NMC a declaration of the apprentice’s good health and character.

The apprentice is not required to carry out any additional assessments, but all apprentices will complete the module: End Point Assessment Gateway for Nursing Associate Apprentices. This is a mandatory zero-credited module. During this module, the apprentice and their employer will gauge numerous aspects, including:

  • That the employer and Leeds Trinity University are satisfied that the apprentice has consistently demonstrated they meet the KSBs of the occupational standard
  • Whether the apprentice has achieved English and mathematics at Level 2
  • The apprentice has completed of all required modules, taking into account any RPL, of the FdSc Nursing Associate programme, which includes the mandatory protected learning time and a minimum 460 hours of external practice placements
  • The Practice Assessment Document (PAD) is completed and signed-off by the apprentices’ practice and academic assessor

An external examiner will be appointed who will also be the lead End Point Assessor.

 

Programme delivery

Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.

Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:

  1. Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
  2. Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
  3. Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.

Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.

Learning and teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Entry requirements

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Apprenticeship Student Admin team who will be happy to advise you.

You will need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a relevant role and have the support of your employer, and:

  • Maths GCSE (Grade 4 or above) or equivalent certificated learning (evidence must be provided)
  • English GSCE (Grade 4 or above) or equivalent certificated learning (evidence must be provided)
  • A declaration of health and good character in line with the NMC's health and character decision-making guidance, on entry and annually
  • Two satisfactory references
  • Satisfactory occupational health assessment
  • Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

Applicants will need to meet the required 80 tariff points which can come from a range of qualifications. Suitable applicants who do not meet the required tariff points may be asked to complete a 1000-word essay for consideration of suitability by Leeds Trinity University.

We also accept the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship with an End Point Assessment grade of Distinction. 

Once a completed evidence pack is received applicants will undertake an initial assessment interview with the programme lead to establish their suitability for the apprenticeship.

All places offered are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, a satisfactory occupational health assessment and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations; each of these checks will be arranged by the employer and information shared with Leeds Trinity University.  

Applicants must live and have the right to work in England (ID will be requested).

Support

We offer extensive support to all of our apprentices - whatever your background or academic experience.

This includes access to our peer support mentors and the Learning Hub, which offers tailored support for academic skills.

Fees and finance

Costs of programme

The cost of the full degree apprenticeship programme is £15,000.

Funding

Degree Apprenticeships are fully funded by your employer if their wage bill is over £3 million each year.

The government will fund up to 95% of the apprenticeship’s course fees, up to the relevant funding band, if the organisation has spent all its levy or has an annual wage bill below £3 million each year. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy contribute 5% towards the total cost of the apprenticeship, the ESFA will contribute the other 95% directly to the University. Employers must have an account with the Apprenticeship Service Account to be able to reserve Government funding for an apprenticeship. This reservation ensures that funds will be available to pay for the training from the point the apprenticeship starts.

Read more about how levy payments work at the UK Government website.

How to apply

Get in touch

Whether you’re looking to develop your skills with us as an apprentice, or you’re an employer looking for more information on using Leeds Trinity University as a training provider, please complete the form below and we will contact you to discuss your options.

Get in touch

About Leeds Trinity University

Our professional Apprenticeships combine part-time study at Leeds Trinity University with workplace training. We've been providing outstanding provision in higher education for over 50 years and have significant experience of delivering work-based learning programmes. We're proud to offer a personal and inclusive university experience that gives everyone the support they need to realise their potential. Our teaching staff have extensive and relevant professional experience.

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