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A Guide To Nursing Apprenticeships

Introduction To Nursing Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships have been around for hundreds of years across many different trades and professions. Now, in the 21st Century, there is more choice than ever before for those of you who don’t want to go on to full time study at university after finishing school, which can only be great news, can’t it. In September 2017, Degree Apprenticeships got a new addition to their list: Nursing Degree Apprenticeships.

In the past, if you wanted to do training to become a nurse, the route would be via a university nursing degree with built in sections of on the job training. Students would receive a bursary to help cover the costs of this but the government made the decision to bring the nursing degree in line with other courses; this means those doing a nursing degree now need to apply for means tested student loans.

Financial difficulties are one of the many reasons young people choose not to go to university and the beauty of Apprenticeships is that you are learning on the job and you also receive a wage. That, coupled with the fact that you will be awarded with a nationally recognised qualification at the end of your training, makes Apprenticeships a really attractive option for lots of you.

These days, depending on the profession or trade, there are degree Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships in Nursing are part of that group where you will do nursing training right up to degree level. So, if you are a compassionate person who has a passion to look after sick and vulnerable people, helping them to cope and get better, nursing careers could be ideal for you. Read on to find out more about how you can become a registered nurse.

How Do Nursing Apprenticeships Work?
When you do your Nursing Apprenticeship it will typically take 4 years to complete and, once you have successfully completed your training and study, you will become a fully qualified Registered Nurse. Nursing Apprenticeships are Level 6 Degree Apprenticeships. This is the equivalent of a BA or BSc degree with honours.

Degree Apprenticeships in Nursing will vary depending on your employer and also the type of nursing you would like to specialise in. For example, you might already be working in a role as a care worker for adults or young children and you would like to further your career in this by doing Nursing Apprenticeships in these fields and getting formal qualifications.

If you are already working in a role within the health sector as a carer or in other roles and you are interested in training to become a nurse via Apprenticeships for Nursing, you could speak to your employer. Depending on your age, your training and study will be funded and it won’t cost you anything. If your employer is not in a position to offer Nursing Apprenticeships, look out for other employers advertising their vacancies for Degree Apprenticeships. Depending on your previous experience, Degree Apprenticeships in Nursing could take less than 4 years to complete.

Who Can Do Nursing Apprenticeships?
Anyone can do these Nursing Apprenticeships but if you didn’t achieve these at school, you will first be assessed by the NMC Approved Education Centre (the university that will award your Nursing Degree) to check that you can meet at least Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy. This is the equivalent of Grades A-C at GCSE.

What Are The Routes For The Nursing Degree Apprenticeship?
Whatever types of nursing jobs you are doing during your Degree Apprenticeship, you will learn and develop a common core of skills that are required of all nurses in the profession. These core skills are:
  • Leadership, Management & Team Working: This is all about time management, knowing when to work alone and when to work effectively as part of a team. This includes working with professionals in other fields.
  • Professional Values: Working in partnership with other agencies to ensure patients in your care are treated with dignity and respect and are getting the best care possible. Keeping your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your nursing career.
  • Nursing Practice & Decision Making: Assessing the needs of patients and service users. Consulting with those in your care about the care they are receiving and knowing the common treatments necessary for them.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills: This is all about you developing the ability to know how to communicate with different patients and service users in a variety of situations. You will be promoting wellbeing, making sure those under your care are safe and also resolving conflict.
During your nursing training, you will also specialise in one area during your Degree Apprenticeships. These specialist areas are:
  • Adult - You could be working with pregnant women or those who have just given birth, terminally ill people and using medical and surgical nursing interventions to make patients comfortable.
  • Children - If you have a passion for working with children and recognising their rights and voice, then being a children’s nurse could be a highly rewarding career for you. This is all about delivering child and family-centred care in an environment that best suits their needs.
  • Learning Disability - Promoting the rights and choices of people with learning disabilities. Having the knowledge of care and making sure that correct care and treatment is given to those with learning disabilities.
  • Mental Health - Nursing training in the mental health field will see you working with people of all ages making sure they receive the necessary care and challenging inequalities and discrimination that could arise for them due to their illness.


Future Career Progression After Nursing Apprenticeships
Because of the care, compassion and knowledge used in this profession, nursing careers can be demanding and highly rewarding at the same time. Long hours, evenings and weekends will be necessary but there is also a high level of job satisfaction. After completing your Degree Apprenticeships in Nursing, if you want to further your career, other nursing training and qualifications are possible so that you can gain promotion and more responsibility. Some nurses even choose to go on to Master's Degree qualifications to advance their knowledge in specialist areas.

Apply for Nursing Apprenticeships In The UK
Are you eager to start training to become a nurse? Nursing Apprenticeships are available from September 2017 so keep an eye out for employers offering this type of nursing training and get your foot in the door of the beginning of an exciting and rewarding career.

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