Amanda Ross - Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship

I've always worked but it was like factory jobs cleaning and then I got a job as a home care assistant going into people's houses providing personal care medication that sort of thing. I wanted to do more, it frustrated me that um I could see a dressing coming off on one of my residents legs and I couldn't change it because I've got no qualifications.

I chose the apprenticeship route rather than the traditional university course, one, because it was suggested to me by my employer, two, because it involved learning and working which helped me because I'm not a learner who can sit in a classroom and just have information overload. That doesn't help me. I have to physically do whatever it is I'm trying to learn, whether that takes me one attempt or whether it takes me 20 attempts, I'll keep going until I've got it.

When you're on placement you're always with somebody you're supervised so there are some tasks that they'll leave you to get on with but they're supervising you, but on the whole, because the majority of my placements have been out with the community, it's been one-on-one support with a nurse. and that really benefited me.

My experience of the academic support throughout the course is really positive. My academic assessor Mary Leica was brilliant throughout the course, she was always available, she gave us lots of support and encouragement and some tips on how to get through different modules when we were doubting ourselves and I can only say I had a positive experience.

Since starting the RNDA course my confidence has really grown and I'm really confident that I'm going to be able to do my job and ultimately advocate for the patients and hopefully give them better care because I've got the tools to do it now

Amanda is a dedicated wife, a proud mother of seven, and now, a registered nurse at Birmingham Community Health Care Trust. Her journey into nursing through the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) at Birmingham City University (BCU) is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and the impact of accessible learning pathways.

Before joining the NHS, Amanda spent many years in roles such as factory work and cleaning. She later became a home care assistant, supporting people in their own homes with tasks like personal care and medication. But despite her hard work and commitment, she often felt held back.

“I wanted to do more,” Amanda said. “It frustrated me to see a dressing coming off one of my resident’s legs and not be able to change it because I had no qualifications.”

For Amanda, the idea of going to university felt overwhelming. “I was afraid. I felt like I was too old to study. I’ve never been to university before, and I had a lot of self-doubt,” she admits. Balancing a busy home life with seven children and full-time work, she wasn’t sure higher education was even possible.

That changed when her employer suggested the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) route. The apprenticeship model — which allowed her to earn while she learned — turned out to be exactly what she needed. “I'm not someone who can sit in a classroom with information overload. I need to physically do what I’m learning, whether it takes one attempt or 20. I’ll keep going until I get it.”

Find an apprenticeship

Browse the apprenticeship courses we offer at Birmingham City University

Apprenticeship courses

Amanda thrived in her placements, particularly in the community where she worked one-on-one with nurses. Being supernumerary allowed her to learn safely under supervision and grow in confidence with every shift.

The academic side was another area of concern, but with the support of her academic assessor, Mary Licup, Amanda flourished. “Mary was brilliant. She was always available and gave us lots of support, encouragement, and practical tips. She really helped when we were doubting ourselves.”

Now, Amanda’s confidence has soared. “Since starting the RNDA course, I truly believe I can do my job. I know I have the tools to advocate for my patients and give them the best care possible.”

Amanda's story reminds us that it's never too late to chase your goals — and that with the right support, even the busiest and most self-doubting among us can become life-changing healthcare professionals.