Overview
The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship is a highly trained, generic, nursing support role in England designed to bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Successful completion of this course gives you registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate. It can also be a stepping stone to becoming a Registered Nurse or progress in your career within the health and social care sector.
LSBU Nursing & Midwifery graduates are the highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and fifth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022)
The course is a combination of theoretical and practice learning. You will attend university once a week and work-based learning the rest of the week. You will be taught and supported by experienced academics who also teach in the BSc(Hons) Adult Nursing, Learning Disability, Mental Health and Children’s Nursing. You will have practice placements in a range of clinical specialities and healthcare settings in hospitals and the community. You will be supported by practice supervisors and practice assessors, to develop clinical and interpersonal skills and experience in caring for people with different healthcare needs across the lifespan.
You will have access to all university facilities including our skills laboratories, lecture theatres, library, student services and the student union.
96% of students on this course said they were challenged to achieve their best work (National Student Survey 2023)
The full apprenticeship standard and assessment plan can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship Employment Guidelines
Apprenticeship Evidence Pack Guidance
We have intakes in January, April and October.
| ModeFull-time (Southwark) | DurationUp to 24 Months Practical Period & 1 Months EPA (25 months) | Start dateJanuary; April; October | Application code5575 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Course Accreditations
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NMC
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
The Havering Campus is located at Goldcrest Way, Harold Wood, Romford, RM3 0BE. It's a short walk from Harold Wood Railway station, off Gubbins Lane. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma (PPP) or
- BTEC National Diploma (MP) or
- BTEC National Foundation Diploma (M) or
- BTEC Extended Certificate (D) or
- A level (DD) or
- Equivalent level 3 qualifications
- Significant, verifiable, and relevant work experience in health and/or social care, supported by a letter of recommendation from the manager and/or lead practice facilitator confirming the following has been assessed:
- their ability to study to level 5 foundation degree level
- the values and behaviours of the NHS Constitution
- a commitment to completing the programme.
- Be employed in a health/social care organisation and be working a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- Be sponsored by a manager in an employing organisation who commits to ensuring students are supported to undertake day release and to attend off the job training, protected learning time and supernumerary status.
All applicants must hold:
Maths and English GCSE A-C or grade 4 or level 2 equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) AND
48 UCAS tariff points e.g.:
OR (for applicants who do not meet (partially or in full) the 48 UCAS tariff points required):
Additionally, apprentice students must:
All prospective students will undergo a face to face or online values-based interview to ascertain their suitability for the programme.
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Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Funding
The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy. The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not). You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers
The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.
Bands
Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard. There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.
Incentives
Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government. All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government. You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.
Cost
You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website. To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at apprenticeships@lsbu.ac.uk
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| Mode Full-time (Southwark) | Duration Up to 24 Months Practical Period & 1 Months EPA (25 months) | Start date January; April; October | Application code 5575 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
An Apprenticeship Standard is comprised of a programme of study, an End Point Assessment and on-the-job learning. This means that in addition to meeting academic requirements, you’ll need to be employed in a role related to your apprenticeship. The process of applying depends on whether you have an employer to sponsor (and support) you.
If you are employed and your employer has confirmed they will support your apprenticeship:
You are welcome to submit an application via our application system. You’ll need to provide details of your employment/employer as part of the application. You’ll also need to ensure you and your employer meet the requirements – find out who can be an apprentice to see if you meet the entry requirements and employer commitments to find out more about your employer’s role.
If you are not employed:
- You will need to find a job role related to the apprenticeship you wish to apply for, with an employer who is happy to support you. If you would like to find an employer to support your apprenticeship with LSBU, you can search which employers are currently advertising Apprenticeships via the National Apprenticeship Service website searching for ‘London South Bank University’ as keywords.
- If there are no search results, this means there are currently no vacancies. We update our vacancies regularly, so please do check back regularly.
- Many employers advertise their apprenticeship vacancies on their websites or via other portals. You could search for ‘find an apprenticeship’ online.
- When you’re ready to apply, see the government's advice on how to write a winning apprenticeship application and make your application.
Further information for apprentices
If you’re a prospective apprentice, you can find out more about who can be an apprentice on our student pages.
Please note deadline for apprenticeship applications (except health apprenticeships) is 29th August 2022.
All businesses with applicants for September must complete the form on the link below:
Business information and contract form
Further information for employers
If you’re an employer, you can find information about the employer commitments and further related information on the related pages for business.
See our admissions policy 1.0 MB and complaints policy 516.0 KB.
Prepare to start
There are steps the apprentices, the employer and the University need to complete before you start your course. Take a look at the steps to be completed in the Enrolment section. Employers may also like to look at our steps to offering an apprenticeship.
Important statement for new and continuing students studying Health and Social Care courses
An exciting part of many of our Health and Social Care courses is the opportunity to learn off-campus and work with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.
Please be aware that from 1 April 2022, all NHS and Social Care personnel (including students) will be required to have evidence of double vaccination against Covid. This measure has been taken to protect the public, patients and staff.
If you are unable, or unwilling, to be vaccinated, we will not be able to provide you with the practice placements necessary to complete your health care degree. If this is the case, you may wish to look at an alternative career.
See the government's press release statement.
As there are multiple entry points (January, April and October) in the year the traditional semester approach is not applicable. One module is undertaken at a time. However, you will undertake semester’s assessments at set points during each year, in line with other university students.
Year 1
- Biosciences for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module provides an understanding of the structure and function of the main body’s systems and how the human body maintains homeostasis. The content of this module has been selected and developed to equip apprentice Nursing Associates with the necessary knowledge to inform their nursing practice and provide and for progression throughout the programme. This knowledge will enable students to go on to develop an understanding of pathophysiological processes and the fundamentals of pharmacology. Students are supported in their learning with extensive use of teaching strategies such as key lectures, workbooks and e-learning. - Communication and person-centred care (20 credits) – Semester 1
The focus of this module is on patient-centred care to promote patient safety. Nursing Associates need to learn how communication can influence practice as well as therapeutic relationships and how to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice to improve patient safety. It will identify the need for a range of alternative communication techniques to effectively manage, maintain and promote safe care. This module explores the actions a Nursing Associate takes to ensure that each person receives appropriate person-centred care, treatment and support. - Introducing evidence-based practice for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module introduces the nature of evidence in health and social care and the importance of evidence-based practice for patients and their families and their safety and quality of experience. Students will develop skills in accessing evidence, gain familiarity with the library, including the use of electronic databases and learn how to use the University’s referencing system for their material. Students will learn key terms relating to research and evidence-based practice and be introduced to an evidence-based practice model. The module also sets out the context for the conduct of health and social care research, including funding and ethical aspects. - Recognising and meeting care needs (60 credits) – Semesters 1 and 2
This module will introduce students to the values, frameworks and skills that underpin working as a Nursing Associate. The module focuses on different methods and frameworks engaged in holisticcare underpinned by evidence-based practice. The module is mapped against the Standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC, 2018) and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing, utilizing a combination of teaching methods including theory to support clinical skills in practice.
Year 2
- Promoting health and preventing ill health for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module introduces public health concepts and contemporary public health issues, the principles of which can then be applied at an individual and population level and within a local, national, and global context. This module of study is aligned to the NMC Standard, promoting health, and preventing ill health (NMC(2018) Standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates – platform2. - Applied physiology for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module will extend and deepen students’ understanding of human physiology, which will then be applied to physiological changes that take place during disease processes. Knowledge of cell receptors and some receptor groups will be linked to physiological activity in different systems then linked to the effects of certain drugs and the changes they elicit within body systems. - Pharmacology and medicines management for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module aims to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and medicines management to ensure students are ready to administer medicines upon registration with the NMC. It will explore and discuss the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics alongside the pharmacology of groups of drugs commonly used in clinical practice. It will consider and evaluate the roles and responsibilities of the Nursing Associate in relation to the safe administration of medication in clinical practice. - Team Working and Role Transition (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module will develop and build effective team working and leadership skills in a complex and multidimensional health care setting. It will explore theoretical models of leadership, teamwork alongside quality improvement and patient safety and provide an opportunity to explore how these concepts interrelate and impact the delivery of care and prepare the student for the transition from student to registered Nursing Associate. The module will also review the skills, attitudes and behaviours that support personal development and lifelong learning in themselves. - Providing and monitoring care for Nursing Associates (40 credits)- Semesters 1 and 2
This module builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills and extends these for application to more complex scenarios across the life span. The module focuses on the collaborative planning, delivery, and evaluation of holistic care alongside that of a registered nurse. It will also enable students to recognize, respond to and act upon their clinical findings of a patient who is deteriorating. The module is mapped against the NMC, 2018)standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates and prepares students to think more critically about and carry out more complex nursing skills. The module uses a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice.
Careers
Employability Service
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
- Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
When you finish the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as a Nursing Associate with the NMC. This allows you to practice within the UK in NHS Trusts/hospitals, particularly where you gained experience during training. Qualified nursing associates can also go on to train as a registered nurses by putting their training towards a shortened nursing degree or registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA).
The Nursing and Midwifery Council – Nursing Associates
The Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Professional Accreditation
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Teaching and Assessment
A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used to support individuals learning styles and build competence in various methods of assessment. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, skills-lab simulations, online learning, role-play, debates/discussion, as well as supervised learning within the clinical area. Assessment methods utilised include essays, group projects, written examinations, presentations, and OSCEs.
Apprentices must demonstrate competence in all skills, knowledge, and behaviours, as defined by the integrated Degree Apprenticeship Standard. In order to successfully complete the award, apprentices must also evidence a minimum of 20% of their time in ‘of the job training’ activities, this can be achieved in a variety of ways; attending lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, skills-lab sessions, e-learning, blended learning and self-managed learning.
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