Apprentice Student Nurse Review

As an Apprentice Nurse I work in partnership with NHFT and The Open University. I am expected to work two days per week as an Healthcare Support Worker (HSP) and two days per week in a Student Role whether that be within my 'Core Base' or on an external placement. Day-to-day I am expected to support the team and service users. I am allowed to practice independently using the skills I have acquired during my study all within the Band Three HCA working model.

I currently follow the Apprentice Student Nurse; BSc in Nursing Pathway. This means that once the four year course is over, I will be a fully qualified Adult General Nurse registered with the NMC. The course covers all the topics needed to become a RGN. The course supports candidates from Healthcare Support Worker to Student Nurse and then from Student Nurse to Registered Nurse.

The programme has been very enjoyable, I am in charge of my own learning. The trust has been rated Outstanding by the CQC and it shows. There are multiple support networks within the trust. I have been working for NHFT for five years now and I wouldn't consider leaving. During the Global COVID-19 pandemic, I didn't feel that my study was compromised. I was able to support the NHS and continue to grow as a Student Nurse.

As the first cohort of Apprentice Nurses there were a few things that needed to be ironed out, but the whole process is a journey. Rome wasn't built in a day. Even though sometimes there was a lack of clarity, there were always people to support you. The team that look after the apprentice nurses work tirelessly to support us. As well as this, you have the team in your core base to support you also.

There are numerous support channels within the trust. HR, Staff Networks that support staff from all backgrounds, Freedom to Speak Up etc. I have been lucky enough to work with a number of fantastic nurses throughout my journey as a student nurse. There mentorship has helped me to develop my skills.

The Open University is an excellent training provider for someone like me. I am in charge of when and how I study. You are given all the module material and you can choose how quickly you go through it all. There is always someone available to talk to and the Tutors and Assessors aren't only there to support you with work, but they are also a good support network for other issues.

There is more to being a nurse than meets the eye. Before I started my training, I was competent in how I practiced, however I didn't have the knowledge surrounding why I did what I did. The training provided me with the opportunity to reflect on my practice and understand how to find research that supported the way I practiced as a Student Nurse.

Not that I am aware of. However as previously mentioned there are four Staff Networks that support members of staff with a diverse background. Namely; LGBTQ+, BAME, Disability and Working Carers. The networks meet regularly and you can even join as an Ally to support your colleagues and service users. There is also the Staffroom which in an online space in which we can thank and support our colleagues.

Yes

It's an outstanding trust to work for with excellent support networks. They have allowed me to achieve my life long dream of becoming a nurse without it having to affect me financially. I would not have been able to go to university through the usual channels in order to become a nurse.

Make sure you read the job specification fully and highlight some key words. Do some research, if your applying for a nursing role, look at what advice the NMC has for example. Also, reflect about why you want this position? Look at what it means to be a nurse in this day and age.