Why Do A Nursing Apprenticeship Over A Degree?
Studying Nursing through an Apprenticeship enables you to actively put your learning into practice and allows you to develop essential clinical skills.
One of the benefits of doing a Nursing Apprenticeship is that it allows you to enhance your academic and practical skills both at the same time.
One of the key differences between a Nursing Apprenticeship and a Degree is that by doing an Apprenticeship you have the opportunity to earn as you learn.
Many people are passionate about studying Nursing and are unable to work towards pursing their career as a Nurse due to university finances.
The benefit of the Apprenticeship route is that the finances for the Degree Programme are funded by the NHS Trust.
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How Long Is A Nursing Apprenticeship?
The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship is a 4 year programme and the Nursing Associate Degree Apprenticeship is a 2 year programme.
What Are The Levels Of Nursing Apprenticeships?
There are two levels of Nursing Apprenticeships available.
You choose to undertake the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship in which you obtain a Level 6 Qualification upon successful completion and you register with the NMC as a Band 5 Registered Nurse. You can also read about a day life of a student nurse.
There is also the Nursing Associate Degree Apprenticeship which you can also choose to undertaken in which you obtain a Level 5 Qualification upon successful completion and register as a Band 4 Nursing Associate.
The entry criteria is the same for both Levels of Nursing Apprenticeships.
What Do You Do During A Nursing Apprenticeship?
A Nursing Apprenticeship is 50:50 which means that it is combined of 50% Academic Theory Work and 50% undertaking Practical Placements.
Whilst undertaking a Nursing Apprenticeship you usually have one face-to-face study session which you are expected to attend.
The other two study days are independent study days which means you study at home and complete assignments and any additional work that has been assigned to you.
The contents of the course are structured around the standards of nursing highlighted in the NMC Code.
Throughout the 4 year programme you are expected to complete a total of 8 Placements.
The Placements are allocated by the Apprenticeship Co-ordinator of the NHS Trust and they can be undertaken in a range of different health care settings such as a GP Practice, Hospital Ward and in the Community.
The placements are an excellent opportunity for you to put your learning into practice and develop your skills and knowledge.
The placements are a mandatory requirement of the course and a set number of placement hours must be completed during the 4 year programme to be able to successfully register with the NMC.
"Studying Nursing through an Apprenticeship enables you to actively put your learning into practice and allows you to develop essential clinical skills."
About this contributor
Student Nurse
I am Student Nurse undertaking the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship. I am undertaking my studies along side working as a Health Care Assistant. Nursing is an extremely rewarding career and there are many different opportunities available once you have qualified.
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Log In Subscribe to commentJulia Bijoy
Julia Bijoy
one year agoHi, I've completed sixth form. Could you please tell me how to apply for nursing apprenticeship directly ? Also, do ... read more
Hi, I've completed sixth form. Could you please tell me how to apply for nursing apprenticeship directly ? Also, do you need any sort of experience before applying ?
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Hi, I suggest applying for a health care assistant role at your local hospital to get some care experience and then after about 6 months you can ask the hospital about applying for a nursing apprentic... read more
Hi, I suggest applying for a health care assistant role at your local hospital to get some care experience and then after about 6 months you can ask the hospital about applying for a nursing apprenticeship and they will support you with the application process.
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Samantha jones
Samantha jones
one year agoIs this programme offerred to internationals as well? Also, can postgraduates apply to this programme?
Is this programme offerred to internationals as well? Also, can postgraduates apply to this programme?
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The programme is also offered to internationals although I am not sure if postgraduates can apply. The best thing I can suggest is to speak to an apprenticeship co-ordinator at your local hospital as... read more
The programme is also offered to internationals although I am not sure if postgraduates can apply. The best thing I can suggest is to speak to an apprenticeship co-ordinator at your local hospital as they will be able to go through the application process with you.
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Sol Simpson
Sol Simpson
3 years agoHi there, i am currently enrolled on the apprenticeship however as soon as i achieve my degree i am looking ... read more
Hi there, i am currently enrolled on the apprenticeship however as soon as i achieve my degree i am looking at leaving the UK to the USA but i have heard i need to complete a further 2 years experience in the uk once receiving the degree to make it count i am just wondering if this is true as i do not want to leave soon as i receive my degree and something happen and i try to come back and i am not allowed due to not completing the extra 2 years experience.
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Hi Sol I’m not entirely sure how this process works. It would be best to check with your University as they would be able to guide you through the process.
Satvinder Kaur
Satvinder Kaur
4 years agoHi there very interesting to read about apprenticeships about nursing. I would like to take this route could you please ... read more
Hi there very interesting to read about apprenticeships about nursing. I would like to take this route could you please let me know how would I be able to apply because I am currently finishing sixth form. Thank you
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Hi Satvinder I applied for a job as a HCA at my local NHS Trust and gained a years experience working as a HCA. I applied through the trust to complete the nursing apprenticeship. The best way forwar... read more
Hi Satvinder I applied for a job as a HCA at my local NHS Trust and gained a years experience working as a HCA. I applied through the trust to complete the nursing apprenticeship. The best way forward is to apply for a job as a HCA at your local NHS Trust and speak to them about an opportunity to undertaken a nursing apprenticeship.
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