Nursing Associate Apprenticeship | Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc)

The content of this practice module is informed by the NMC, (2024) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates.

This module spans the whole of your second year and aims to support you to consolidate the knowledge and skills you have developed in year 1 of the programme as you transition towards registered nursing associate practice. The module will assist you to develop the requisite skills to provide and monitor safe, effective, evidence-based, person-centred care with increasing levels of confidence for a diverse range of patients who present with complex health and social care needs across the life span, who are cared for in a variety of health and social care contexts.

The module will build upon Practice module 1: Foundations of nursing associate practice to advance your professional development and BlackBoard Ultra you to enhance your proficiency in areas such as your ability to effectively work in partnership with patients, families and other healthcare professionals; understanding the professional roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team; contributing to shared decision making in practice; recognising and responding to factors which may result in adverse outcomes; participating in strategies to improve patient safety/ enhance the quality of patient care; undertaking risk assessment; working within ethical and legal frameworks; acting as a role model to support and supervise the learning of junior colleagues; prioritising workload and delegating workload appropriately to others.

As you continue to develop your skills towards becoming an independent learner you will engage in self-directed study and seek out learning opportunities to advance your own knowledge and professional development further. You will also be proactively engaged in the professional development of others, supporting the learning of novice students/junior colleagues as appropriate. There will be opportunities to engage with Inter Professional Learning (IPL), learn from people who use services and carers (e.g. The LawnMowers Theatre Group) and complete relevant mandatory training that is appropriate at this stage of your programme. You will also be supported to expand on your reflective skills, which will help you to make links between theory and practice and develop strategies to identify your personal strengths and areas for development, whilst simultaneously building your resilience.

Your learning and professional development will advance throughout the module to ensure that you fulfil NMC (2024) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates requirements, including achievement of professional values, mandatory proficiencies, annexe skills and summative practice assessments as set out in the ePAD. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to practice independently with minimal supervision, provide and monitor care and demonstrate increasing levels of knowledge, skills and confidence.

This module will support your development in advancing your clinical skills, leadership skills and supervision skills, linked to the NMC (2024) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates outlined in Annexe A and B.
The module will help you develop greater confidence to develop and practice your clinical skills, leadership skills and supervisory skills within a simulated environment. You will receive support through peer feedback and assessment as you enhance your knowledge and proficiency in advanced skills, such as performing 12-lead ECGs, wound care, and venepuncture.

As a supervisor in the practice environment your role is pivotal in the shaping of learning experiences and professional development of other learners. You will analyse the evidence supporting effective leadership approaches and skills necessary for MDT collaboration, focusing on improving patient outcomes and team dynamics. Evaluating your role involves assessing the key areas of coaching, facilitation of learning, assessment and feedback. You will develop your supervisory skills to support learners and lead on the delivery of care that has been prescribed by the registered nurse.

Within the module you will demonstrate resilience and emotional intelligence and be capable of explaining the rationale that influences your judgements and decisions in routine, complex and challenging situations. This will enable you to understand how to utilise evidence to underpin your practice. You will learn to apply and assess your leadership abilities in delivering safe and effective nursing associate care, managing care activities with a focus on patient safety and quality. The module emphasises the development of personal and professional qualities essential for working effectively within an inter-professional practice placement team, fostering effective communication, adaptability, and collaborative skills.

You will examine and assess your role as a supervisor, developing skills to effectively support learners in the practice setting. To guide and enhance your clinical decision-making, this module introduces various leadership models and supervision frameworks relevant to the nursing associate role, including practice supervisor training.

In this module, you will explore the essential knowledge required to support and enhance care for patients and their families across a range of settings, focusing on both preventative interventions and the care of acutely and chronically ill individuals. You will deepen your understanding of the nursing associate's role in delivering safe and effective care for patients with complex needs. This will involve analysing various tools and frameworks, as well as investigating the broader evidence base that supports nursing associate interventions.
You will also examine the trajectory of health and illness, starting with preventative care, progressing through acute presentation and diagnosis, and extending to providing and monitoring care in chronic conditions and preparing for end-of-life care across all age groups. The module will emphasise the importance of decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking in addressing the diverse needs of patients and their caregivers.
The topics covered in this module include:
• Health promotion and preventative interventions to reduce the risk of developing illness.
• The biological basis of illness and applied pharmacology to aid in problem-solving and anticipating patient needs, particularly in caring for patients with complex conditions.
• Evidence-based practices that support contemporary nursing associate interventions for patients of all ages.
• Ensuring safe, effective, and ethically sound care during both acute and chronic phases of illness or recovery.
• Theoretical foundations of nursing associate care across different healthcare settings.

In this module, you will expand on the knowledge and skills gained during your practice placements, as well as the theoretical concepts from year 1. The module will introduce more advanced skills, in line with the NMC (2024) Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates. The primary focus will be on pharmacology, medicine management, medication calculations, and the administration of medications across the lifespan, and within a variety of practice placement settings.

You will develop an analytical understanding of pharmacology fundamentals, with a focus on safe, evidence-based medication administration practices. You will also gain essential knowledge and understanding of the effects of medication, including allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications, and adverse reactions. This knowledge is essential for your role as a nursing associate, enabling you to recognise and respond appropriately to different patient reactions. Additionally, the module will focus on enhancing your communication skills, ensuring you can administer medications effectively and accurately report side effects to promote patient understanding and clarity.

You will explore best practices for maintaining patient safety consistently, using evidence and professional guidance to navigate various care environments. A central focus is on delivering care that upholds patient dignity, individuality, and well-being. You will learn to incorporate reasonable adjustments, promote independence, and support the rights and choices of people who use services and their carers (PUSC). The module combines theoretical knowledge with practical application to prepare you for the delivery of safe, empathetic, and effective nursing associate practice.

The module will help you develop greater confidence in understanding and administering medication via a variety of routes, allowing you to contribute effectively within the delivery of nursing associate care. You will also develop your skills in documentation of medication within practice placements that adheres to legislation and have an awareness of medicine optimisation and the care of patients with complex needs in accordance with local and national policies.