Course Overview
The Nursing Associate foundation degree at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Salisbury campus is an innovative collaboration between WCUC, Coventry University Group and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. Delivered at our Salisbury campus and taught by specialist nurse tutors from WCUC and Coventry University Group, the Nursing Associate foundation degree is designed to meet the educational requirements necessary for the nursing associate role, enabling successful graduates to register as a Nursing Associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (additional costs may apply), and work supporting registered nurses delivering hands-on care in a wide variety of clinical settings. The course was developed in collaboration with health and social care employers in Coventry and Warwickshire, Scarborough and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. Our practice learning partners provide clinical learning placements for students and input to the ongoing development and evaluation of the course. The course is taught by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who will support you in your journey to becoming an NMC-registered Nursing Associate.The programme was shortlisted for a Student Nursing Times and Apprenticeship award in 2019 and over 10% of students who completed the first programme have secured places on the prestigious Florence Nightingale Leadership course. This course is a direct entry (i.e. not part of an apprenticeship) version of the nursing associate foundation degree apprenticeship course.
What will I learn?
On commencing the course, you will study two modules. This will be an introduction to science and a clinical skills module spanning 13 weeks before you start your first 10-week mandatory placement, which is sourced by the university. You will then undertake a module to develop more advanced clinical skills and underpinning knowledge before your second 10-week placement of year one.
Year 1
Introduction to Nursing Science
Foundation Skills for Nursing Care
Foundations in Communication and Professional Practice (Placement)
Applied Nursing Science
Promoting Health and Wellbeing and Preventing Ill Health (Placement)
In year two, you will learn about the evidence base underpinning nursing care and develop your knowledge of drugs and therapies for all age groups and fields of nursing. This will equip you for your first clinical placement of year two. You will then go on to develop your knowledge of legal and ethical aspects of care and advance your teaching skills prior to your final 10-week clinical placement of year two. As in year one all placements are sourced by the university.
Year 2
Therapeutic Approaches in Nursing Care
Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
Providing and Monitoring Safe Care (Placement)
Supporting Learning and Assessment
Foundations in Legal and Ethical Aspects of Care
Effective Teamwork and Transition to Nursing Associate (Placement)
Study, Assessment and Qualifications
The foundation degree is a level 5 qualification and assessed using a range of methods. Equal time and weighting is given to the practical and theoretical components of the course.
In a typical 30-hour week, you will have around 15 hours of teaching contact hours which is made up of lectures and tutorials supplemented by online learning. This will lessen as you progress through the course and become better equipped to use the online learning resources. Developing independent learning capabilities and using digital learning resources are essential to equip you for lifelong learning and further study
Assessments include case study-based essays, presentations, reflections, practical clinical examinations, teaching Service Users or peers, and exams such as drug knowledge and calculations. Resources such as interactive workbooks and online quizzes are provided to help you assess your own learning as well as preparing you for assessments. Compassionate and caring attitudes and values are central to the role and will be assessed throughout the course.
We have well established clinical placements, teaching and research links with local partner NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, such as private hospitals, hospices and community settings and commended by the NMC for our partnership working.
Placements will take place at Salisbury Hospital and you will have an allocated Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisor to facilitate and assess your learning in practice.
Entry Requirements
English & Maths GCSE (grade 4 or C and above)
32 UCAS credits in relevant Level 3 qualification (A Levels, Access to HE, Access to Nursing or equivalent Level 3 NVQ).
Other requirements include commitment to completing a Foundation Degree programme, intermediate IT skills, evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise. An ability to work within multidisciplinary teams, escalate concerns, and show initiative are essential requirements for the role.
In line with the National Health Service constitution, we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working and the delivery of excellent patient care.
As part of this you will be required to attend a selection event, which serves to provide you with detailed information about the course and an opportunity take part in a group discussion to enable values and aptitude to be assessed.
Satisfactory health clearance, DBS checks and criminal records disclosure are also required prior to you attending a placement in a social and/or healthcare facility as part of the course.
Additional Costs and Information
The course is currently accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and on successful completion of the course you will be eligible to apply to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council Nursing Associate register. Registration is subject to meeting good health and character requirements and payment of a registration fee. Further details about the registration fee and process are available on the NMC website.
Students may be required to purchase relevant textbooks as recommended by individual lecturers, however wherever possible the College will attempt to make these available online for students.
There may be some trips or visits which may incur additional costs however these will be discussed with student groups and notice provided.
