Practice Teacher Review

My role involves supporting people completing their nurse associate apprenticeships and those that are undertaking the "top up" route to nursing degree. I conduct tripartite meetings to make sure that they are on target with their apprenticeships and deliver training to them and others on their induction. I specialise in mental health and learning disability nursing.

The apprenticeship which I'm taking is the Level 7 Academic Professional apprenticeship. I have been introduced to new learning theories, how to assess learners efficiently and generally how to make an educational sessions more interesting by incorporating a range of teaching materials including the use of Mentimeter and other electronic resources.

The programme links in well with my daily duties and it allows me and the other learners to meet regularly. We work towards planned activities which the tutor has provided for us. Lots of discussion is involved and individual tasks are set to aid us in the learning process. The competencies which are set for us to achieve always link in with what will be our end point assessment.

Prior to starting the apprenticeship a list of dates for each session was provided along with information about the forthcoming topics. Due to the nurses strike one of these days had to be cancelled, however we didn't miss out as the lecturer ensured that we still covered everything that was needed.

The staff within the Learning and Development team are extremely supportive, any member of staff will help if it is covered within their remit. The lead of this apprenticeship answers emails/queries efficiently. I am very satisfied with the support offered and given to me. I do recommend Oxford Health as an employer as they encourage staff development.

This apprenticeship allows for 20% study time which is a great help as the day to day job can be very busy at times. If there is a competency which I need support with, I just need to ask my colleagues and thought and consideration will be given as to how this can be achieved.

The apprenticeship has allowed me time to reflect on both my strengths and weaknesses. I am focusing on how I deliver teaching sessions and ways of making them more interactive. Sometimes I can become so enthusiastic about the topics which I deliver that and over run. I am now working more on my teaching plans so that doesn't happen any more.

There are a lot of groups which staff can become involved in such as a book club which the library has just set up, plus other groups to support disadvantaged people or those in minority groups. Examples of this include, the menopause support group, work place meditation, women's and men's staff support groups, LGBT and Equality staff network.

Yes

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is a good place to work as they want to support you in your career progression no matter what your pay band or your age is. They offer many different apprenticeships which can enable you to develop confidence in the area of interest to you.

Contact the person that has been assigned as the main contact with the application process and ask to look around the ward/base to try and get a feel about the people and the environment. Have an informal discussion about career progression and contact the apprenticeship team for further details about what is on offer to support/enhance career development.