Would you like to become a nursing associate? Our course provides specialist training and support for you to become a nursing associate registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in two years. As a nursing associate, you'll play a vital role in the nursing team working across all four areas of nursing: adult, children's, learning disabilities, and mental health nursing. Working closely with healthcare assistants and registered nurses, you'll care for people across the lifespan in a range of settings, from the home to community and inpatient settings. At the end of this course, you'll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and practise as a nursing associate. You'll also be able to complete further training through a top-up course or degree apprenticeship to qualify as a nurse. Course Overview The programme is studied over 2 years, and you will attend study and placements during the weeks specified on the programme planner. This will be made available to you on commencement of the course. Equal value is placed on theory and practice for the duration of the FdSc Nursing Associate programme, so 50% of your time on this course will be spent on placement covering all areas of nursing practice (adult, children's, mental health and learning disability) in the NHS and private, voluntary and independent sectors. Placement settings will include hospitals, nursing homes, GP surgeries, clinics, and more. Throughout the length of the course, you will be introduced to essential knowledge that a nursing associate is required to understand to enable the delivery of effective person-centred care, including the ability to research and study independently and work with student colleagues. The University of Cumbria has excellent clinical skills and simulation facilities including simulated ward areas, high dependency care areas, home spaces and a dedicated ‘immersive simulation room’ enabling experience of ‘real life’ scenarios. On this course you will
- Develop and accomplish the knowledge and skills you need to practise and provide evidenced-based and compassionate care as a registered nursing associate.
- Learn and work alongside all fields of nursing and the multi-disciplinary team whilst on placement, and recognise the contribution of different health professionals' roles and expertise.
- Develop skills through a range of nursing placements that will be a mixture of hospital and community settings, and through skills teaching and simulated practice.
- Prepare you to deliver a wide range of clinical, care and interpersonal skills underpinned by a systematic knowledge base.
- Applied Biological Sciences for Health
- Professional Practice and Accountability
- Developing Evidence Based Practice
- Introduction to Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Concepts of Health and Social Policy
- Introduction to Nursing Associate Practice
- Pharmacology and Medicine Therapeutics
- Living with Long Term Conditions Across the Lifespan
- Learning from the 'Lived' Experience
- Communication and Relationship Management in a Therapeutic Context
- Understanding Care Needs
- The Nursing Associate as Leader
Coursework; practical exams and written exams. Qualificatory practice units.
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Applicants must be working in a nursing setting and have the support of their employer - as evidenced by a letter of support from the employer confirming commitment to the programme including provision of appropriate supervision and assessment; support to attend University and placements to enable students to meet the Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates, (NMC). NVQ 3 or equivalent portfolio of evidence (as determined by the programme leader) Values based recruitment of candidate is demonstrating these values.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
By end of first year - requirement to achieve care certificate Exit/EPA requirement - must have gained level 2 Maths or English (or equivalent)
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
International | £13250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .