Nursing Associate - FdSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
The two-year Foundation Degree Nursing Associate course has been developed to support the introduction of a new nursing role and is a work-based learning course aimed at experienced Health Care Assistants who want to develop themselves to become a Registered Nursing Associate (RNA)....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Blended Learning
- Location City South
- Award FdSc
- Start date February 2025
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
This course is:
Overview
The two-year Foundation Degree Nursing Associate course has been developed to support the introduction of a new nursing role and is a work-based learning course aimed at experienced Health Care Assistants who want to develop themselves to become a Registered Nursing Associate (RNA). The aims and learning outcomes have been mapped against the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates (NMC, 2018) and the relevant occupational standard for Higher Technical Qualifications as approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
What's covered in this course?
The FdSc Nursing Associate is a full-time course delivered at City South Campus. You will attend university and also attend placements in a variety of settings across the four fields of nursing. Whilst in your placements you will have supernumerary status which will support and protect your learning time in clinical practice.
You will study four level 4 modules in the first year which cover key theory and practice knowledge and skills to include person and family-centred care, professional values, the parameters of an RNA’s role and safe administration of medication. The second-year modules focus on leadership and mentoring skills, health sociology and health promotion and you will also study key elements of evidence-based practice. You will also complete a portfolio of evidence that is compiled over the two years as part of the practice competencies assessments.
On successful completion of the course you will be eligible to apply to be registered on the NMC Nursing Associate register and you will be awarded an FdSc Nursing Associate. You will have 5 years to register the award with the NMC.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- We have excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art simulation equipment that will support you in your studies. There are several study spaces and open access information technology support.
- We have been shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the Year (pre-registration) 2022.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
Entry requirements
GCSE grade C or new grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics. GCSE equivalents e.g. key skills level 2 or functional skills maths and English level 2 are currently accepted.
Plus one of the following:
- One A level grade D or above
- Two AS level grade D or above
- BTEC National Award grade M
- BTEC National Certificate grade PP
- BTEC National Diploma grade PPP
- Access to HE Diploma
- NVQ level 3 full diploma
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: FdSc
Starting: Feb 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Blended Learning
- 2 years
- £9,250 in 2024/25
- Apply via UCAS
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Level 4
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module aligns with domain 3 and 4 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and the aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and develop the knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health care. You will develop the ability to work across organisational boundaries in a range of health and care settings and apply a wide range of nursing skills appropriate to your parameters of practice.
This module aligns to Domain 2 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and the aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and further develop the personal and professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that are necessary to deliver high quality person and family centred health and social care. The Francis Report (2013) and the Shape of Caring Review (2014) highlight the importance of delivering patient care that is patient not service led.
This module is aligned to Domain 1 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and aims to support you in responding to the ethical, legal and governance requirements arising from working as a nursing associate. It will enable you to develop an understanding of how you can provide quality care to meet the needs of a diverse society. You will discuss and debate fundamental legislation and ethical principles in order to explain the responsibilities and duties of your role as a trainee nursing associate with an appreciation of the wider fields of healthcare across the lifespan in hospital and in community settings. You will be provided with opportunities to explore these concepts and apply them to your own subject area. The module introduces you to the concept of professional values whilst giving you the opportunity to reflect on your own values and beliefs and how these may impact on your health care delivery.
The module aligns to Domain 3 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and provides you with the opportunity to acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to safely administer medication in a variety of settings using appropriate local policies and procedures. You will examine the different administration routes for medication as well as the safe storage and disposal of medications. You will also be supported to do accurate medication calculations and complete accurate records in a variety of settings.
Level 5
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module is aligned to Domain 7 and 8 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and examines the role of evidence-based practice within the development and maintenance of high quality person and family centred care.
The aim of this module is for you to gain an understanding of the importance of being research aware and the role you can play in improving the quality of person and family centred care. You will focus on developing your critical thinking and reflective practice skills to enable you to evaluate and challenge current practice. You will also learn about the development of new technologies and how these can contribute to the enhancement of the patient journey. The module also examines your continuing professional responsibilities in using reflection to continually update your knowledge and skills.
This module is aligned to Domains 4 and 5 of the Nursing Associate curriculum and aims to support you in further increasing your clinical skills and knowledge; enhancing your clinical decision making, and developing your leadership skills. As you approach becoming a qualified Nursing Associate it is essential that you reflect and build upon your previous modules in relation to your knowledge, role and parameters of practice whilst exploring, analysing and increasing your level of understanding and responsibility.
This module aligns with domains 3, 4 and 6 of the Nursing Associate training programme domains and the aim of this module is to enable you to gain an understanding of health inequalities and the role of health prevention and promotion programmes. It will enable you to understand the management of long-term conditions, within the context of health inequalities, and how government and local initiatives aim to improve the quality of life of your service users. You will also explore how society is structured in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, social class, family and households, and its impact on health and wellbeing.
Download course specification
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The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Higher Technical Qualification
This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.
Employability
Employment opportunities
On completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council Nursing Associate register and practise in the UK. As a qualified Nursing Associate you could work in a range of roles in the NHS. You could also choose to continue your studies and qualify as a Registered Nurse.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our School of Nursing and Midwifery is based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.
See more of our skills facilities at City South
Centre for Skills and Simulation
The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.
Simulation Manikins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.