Nursing Apprenticeships

The Nursing Degree Apprenticeship Programme provides BSMHFTs valuable Healthcare Workers the opportunity to remain in employment, whilst studying part-time to achieve a degree qualification and a professional nurse registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

• YOU, if you are committed to health care and the delivery of high-quality care to our service users
• YOU, if you are resilient and up for the challenge
• YOU, if you are keen to go to university but are concerned about the costs
• YOU, if you are a substantive Health Care Worker that has the support from your line manager and wants train to be a nurse
• Perhaps, you are already a Band 4 Nurse Associate wanting to take the next step to become a registered Nurse
• Are you a manager keen to invest in your team’s development? Do you have a member of staff that has the skills and qualities to train to become a qualified Mental Health Nurse?

As an apprentice you would work and train in Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Birmingham City University. As part of the Practice Placement provision, you will work alongside BSMHFTs ever-growing workforce to ensure you gain practical skills, knowledge and experience to meet the course requirement and provide high quality care to our service users.

To the Apprentice

• You will gain a degree qualification and become a qualified nurse on successful completion of the programme.
• You will remain at your existing work base during the programme and on successful completion as a Band 5 Nurse. This provides familiarity and a good network of support.
• You will receive salary throughout the duration of the programme.
• There are no course costs.
• The course comprises of work base, university and placement days, providing varied learning opportunities, practice and theoretical.
• You will undertake a variety of placements across Birmingham and Solihull to maximise exposure to learning opportunities.
• You will have access to a wealth of support from BSMHFT Nursing Apprenticeship Team and the University.
• You will join a cohort of learners, some of whom are likely to be from BSMHFT, adding to the existing support that is available.

To the wider team:

• Teams get to ‘develop their own’ staff, which is believed to improve morale and retention.
• The work base will receive ‘backfill’ payments for the days the apprentice is at university or placement, so cover can be arranged at no additional cost.
• Once qualified the expected is the Apprentice will remain at their existing work base as a qualified nurse, to continue instilling the trust values into everyday practice.

There are currently two programmes available, with slightly different eligibility criteria’s-

Four year programme

• Maths qualification– Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• English qualification– Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• Min 120 UCAS points in a Health/Care/Science related subject

(Any overseas qualifications must be supported by a NARIC/ENIC document).

• Demonstrable Health Care Assistant experience
• Employed substantively in BSMHFT
• Currently working within a clinical environment.
• A completed BSMHFT Employer Testimony form from their manager, to support the application with a view for the applicant to remain at their existing work base for the duration of the programme and as an RMN on successful completion.

Two year- ‘Step On/ Top Up’ programme

Essential criteria

• Maths qualification– Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• English qualification– Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• Nursing Associate (NA) or Assistant Practitioner (AP) qualification

(Any overseas qualifications must be supported by a NARIC/ENIC document).

• Demonstrable NA/AP experience 
• Employed substantively in BSMHFT
• Currently working within a clinical environment.
• Evidence of having completed a Preceptorship Programme.
• A completed BSMHFT Employer Testimony form from their manager, to support the application with a view for the applicant to remain at their existing work base for the duration of the programme and as an RMN on successful completion.

The Student Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Programme provides Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s (BSMHFT) valuable Healthcare Workers the opportunity to remain in employment, whilst studying part-time to achieve a foundation degree qualification and a professional nurse registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

• Are you committed to health care and the delivery of high-quality care to our service users?
• Are you resilient and up for the challenge?
• Are you keen to go to university but are concerned about the costs?
• Are you a substantive Health Care Worker that has the support from your line manager and wants train to be a Nurse Associate?
• Are you a manager keen to invest in your team’s development? Do you have a member of staff that has the skills and qualities to train to become a qualified Nursing Associate?

As an apprentice you would work and train in Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Birmingham City University. As part of the Practice Placement provision, you will work alongside BSMHFT’s ever-growing workforce to ensure you gain practical skills, knowledge, and experience to meet the course requirement and provide high quality care to our service users.

Assessment

During your training you will experience a variety of assessment methods including:

• Written assignments
• Examinations
• Leaflets and posters
• Practice based competency assessments
• Observation of clinical skills

To the Apprentice

• You will gain a foundation degree qualification and become a qualified Nursing Associate on successful completion of the programme.
• You will remain at your existing work base during the programme and on successful completion as a Band 4 Nursing Associate. This provides familiarity and a good network of support.
• You will receive salary throughout the duration of the programme.
• There are no course costs.
• The course comprises of work base, university and placement days, providing varied learning opportunities, practical and theoretical.
• You will undertake a variety of placements across Birmingham and Solihull to maximise exposure to learning opportunities, including partnership placements with University Hospital Birmingham and Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital.
• You will have access to a wealth of support from BSMHFT’s Nursing Apprenticeship Team and the University.
• You will join a cohort of learners, some of whom are likely to be from BSMHFT, adding to the existing support that is available.

To the wider team

• Teams get to ‘develop their own’ staff, which is believed to improve morale and retention.
• The work base will receive ‘backfill’ payments for the days the apprentice is at university or placement, so cover can be arranged at no additional cost.
• Once qualified it is expected that the Apprentice will remain at their existing work base as a qualified Nursing Associate, to continue instilling the trust values into everyday practice.

Experience

• Currently in a substantive Health Care Assistant post, with demonstrable experience

Qualifications

• English- Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• Maths- Level 2 function skills, GCSE A*-C, Grade 4-9, or equivalent
• Evidence/confirmation of having a NARIC/ENIC assessment to support the above qualifications if they were achieved overseas
• Your completed current managers testimony form

Desirable criteria

• A Level 3 qualification in a health and social care subject
• Evidence of having completed the Care certificate.
• Portfolio entry route (for those who do not have Level 3 qualifications). Already working a health or social care setting and a written reflective essay (1500 words), endorsed by your line manager and two written testimonies; qualifications not listed will be considered on an individual basis and sent to BCU for approval.

Funding

• Funding Eligibility: Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) stipulate individuals on a Visa must not have a renewal during the TNA programme, inclusive of the end point assessment period.

Recruitment Process

We have two cohorts per year, May and October.