The Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship is a 24 month course delivered by the School of Health Sciences.
Year 1 Level 4
Personal and Professional Development
This module is designed to enable participants to identify and develop skills for successful higher education study and transferable employability skills. It will also allow the Apprentice to understand the professional requirements of becoming a registered Nursing Associate with the NMC Delivery. Assessment is designed to develop study skills through personal reflection and the identification of personal goals and communication skills.
Law and Ethics and the Nursing Associates
This module provides opportunities for Apprentices to explore ethical and legal issues in relation to relevant laws, codes of practice, theories, personal value systems and beliefs. Apprentices will be encouraged to reflect upon their own professional practice to explore professional, ethical and legal responsibilities, rights, and accountabilities.
Anatomy and Physiology: Application to Practice
This module is concerned with an integrated study of human anatomy and physiology and its application to the delivery of patient care. Drawing on the disciplines of anatomy, physiology and human biology it will present the Apprentice with fundamental understanding of the human body from across the life span. Learning will be supported by a range of online learning activities and packages to help the Trainee Nursing Associate consolidate application to the practice setting.
Person-Focused Care
This module will explore the theory and practice of person focused care. The aim is to increase the Apprentice’s insight and understanding of diverse health and care needs. These will include the health needs of adults and children, the impact of disabilities, mental health issues and end of life care.
Communication and integrated care
This module aims to provide the Apprentice with the opportunity to explore communication across a diverse range of health backgrounds and across the lifespan. It will consider the use of verbal, nonverbal and augmented modes of communication in relation to the provision of patient care and how health care practitioners use communication to enhance collaborative working. In addition, it will examine the barriers to effective communication between different professionals and ways in which these barriers can be overcome to enhance an integrated approach to care delivery.
Psychosocial Perspectives of care delivery
This module will allow Apprentices to understand the psychological and sociological context of care as well as the needs of individuals, patients or service users. It will also provide an understanding of the social and psychological context of their own and others behaviour, attitudes and prejudices. In doing so it will help to develop the Apprentice's self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
Clinical Skills and Simulation
This non- credit bearing module has been designed to be delivered across the 2 years of the TNA program. It will be delivered in conjunction with the theoretical elements of the course and will support the Nursing Associate Apprentice in developing the knowledge, values, behaviours and skills as defined by the scope of practice for Nursing Associates. In doing so this module will enable the Nursing Associate to deliver safe, compassionate, professional care across a variety of care settings.
Year 2 Level 5
Science of Disease for Nursing Associates
This module will draw on and develop knowledge of anatomy and physiology to gain an understanding of disease and pathophysiology. It will also consider ill health across the lifespan and the impact that lifestyle choices can have on disease development and health and wellbeing.
Promoting Health and Wellbeing
Within this module the Apprentice will explore public health and health promotion, as well as the opportunities and challenges faced by health and social care practitioners in promoting healthy lifestyles. Apprentices will be encouraged to reflect on their own practice and the effectiveness of current care services, finding solutions to barriers, and identifying ways to drive forward contemporary, personalised and enabling healthcare interventions that meets the diverse needs and personal choices of individuals.
Evidence-based Practice for the Nursing Associate
This module provides the opportunity for the Apprentice to appraise research and evidence-based practice. This will aid in the development of their fundamental skills that underpin enhancing patient safety and quality of care. It will also introduce the learner to methodological approaches to research as well as critical thinking skills appropriate to health and social care.
Pharmacology and Medicine Management
Apprentices will explore the main components of drug discovery, testing and regulation. An understanding of the principles underpinning drug actions will be acquired, including how drugs are absorbed and transported within the human body and how they inhibit their target proteins to promote physiological change. The Apprentice will consider the efficacy and risk(s) of drugs on human function and how these are managed safely and effectively.
Supervision and Leadership
Apprentices will explore their role in leadership, supervision and practice education. They will appraise of their capabilities, transition to qualified role and future role in developing and educating others within the healthcare team.
Health, Social Care and Employability for Nursing Associates
The Apprentice will appraise their own professional performance within the context of an integrated and changing health and care environment and identify areas where skills, values and behaviours may be developed ready for transition to registrant. The module will also provide the Apprentice opportunity to further develop and enhance employability skills within the context of the health and social care and reflect upon their personal and professional development in readiness for the end of the programme and the end point assessment.
