Higher Apprenticeship Specialist Practice District Nursing (SPDN), with MSc option

The programme offers a blended learning approach, which includes e-lectures and e-learning materials, seminars, simulation, workshops as well as an action learning system attach to each module.

There is a mixture of field specific modules, focusing on prescribing and advanced clinical assessment skills and shared modules, focusing on research and leading/advancing practice. The latter supports inter-professional learning, giving the opportunity to engage and learn with students undertaking other professional pathways. This strategy is to enable the apprentice to explore the complexity and diversity of service provision and develop skills that contribute to inter-professional working. Both research and technology enhanced learning (TEL) are embedded throughout the programme, all learning materials are underpinned with contemporary research evidence. Apprentices will be actively encouraged and supported to engage with the research and audit process generally throughout the programme, but also in specific modules which focus on the advancement of research, audit and evidence-based practice knowledge and skills commensurate with a specialist nursing role. In relation to practice, apprentices will be allocated a placement duration of the programme, where apprentices must demonstrate evidence of achieving the 2001 NMC standards required of a SPDN and the Institute of Apprenticeship standards for district nursing (2019).

To achieve the SPDN standards apprentices must successfully pass the practice elements and the academic components of the programme. The assessment strategy reflects both formative and summative components. Practice-based assessment will be ongoing throughout the 18 months of the programme, supported by a Practice Assessment Document (PAD), and gives the opportunity to engage in self-assessment and student-led learning. Apprentices will work closely with practice assessors and practice supervisors, who will facilitate learning and provide on-going formative evaluation of progression. There will be a formal review of progress during tripartite review meetings during each quarter of the programme. The practice assessor and academic assessor will complete the summative assessment of achievement of the NMC standards of proficiency, which will be on a pass/fail basis. Apprentices will also be required to successfully complete five academic modules (180 Level 7 credits) over the 18 months for the full MSc award. For the PG/Dip, you will need to complete 120 credits without the opt-in dissertation. Related summative assessments are designed to promote and facilitate student-centred learning and will be clearly articulated within the taught component of the programme; assessment briefs and marking criteria will be available via Blackboard Ultra. Summative assessment will include one invigilated exam, as required by the NMC.

End Point Assessment

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (2020) state that - Rigorous, robust and independent End Point Assessment (EPA) gives employers confidence that apprentices can actually perform in the occupation they have been trained in and can demonstrate the duties, and knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the occupational standard. For details of the current EPA for your standard please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.

This apprenticeship normally takes 18 months to complete, followed by the endpoint assessment which will typically be completed within 3-12 months. Full details are available on the IFATE website.

Our philosophy is to support an apprentice-centred learning culture, empowering apprentices to be an engaged and independent learner.

A transformational pedagogical approach is used, where, as an adult, apprentices will engage in self-directed learning; critical evaluation; reflection; knowledge and skills acquisition. Both research and technology enhanced learning (TEL) are embedded throughout the programme, all learning materials are underpinned with contemporary research evidence. Apprentices will be actively encouraged and supported to engage with the research and audit process generally throughout the programme, but also in specific modules which focus on the advancement of research, audit and evidence-based practice knowledge and skills commensurate with a specialist nursing role.

In partnership with Northumbria University, the employer will support the apprentice at work to achieve their apprenticeship. Whilst studying, the apprentice will be required to work full-time, for at least 30 hours a week, and will be supported through learning at work to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.

The Apprenticeship programme provides 50% off the job training, with support from the employer and as stipulated by NMC guidelines. Throughout the entirety of the programme, apprentices will remain supernumerary. In relation to practice, apprentices will be allocated a placement duration of the programme, where they must demonstrate evidence of achieving NMC (2001) standards required of a SPDN and the Institute of Apprenticeship (2019) standards for district nursing. Practice-based assessment will be ongoing throughout the 18 months of the programme, supported by a practice assessment document, which gives the opportunity to engage in self-assessment and student-led learning. Apprentices will work closely with practice assessors, practice supervisors as well as academic assessors, who will facilitate learning and provide on-going formative evaluation of progress. There will be a formal review of progression during practice progress meetings held each semester of the programme. The practice assessor and academic assessor will complete the summative assessment of achievement of the NMC standards of proficiency, which will be on a pass/fail basis. 

The employer covers all tuition fees for the apprentice, the total payment required depends on the organisation’s apprenticeship levy status.

Apprentices studying an apprenticeship do not pay any tuition fees, however, as they are in full-time employment they do not have student status and therefore are not entitled to apply for student finance. 

To discuss the fees for this apprenticeship in detail or to explore signing an agreement with the university, complete the enquiry form below and someone from our Business and Enterprise team will be in touch shortly.

We guide both employer and apprentice through the application and funding process and will be on hand to assist you during the apprenticeship journey.

To start the application process for either current employees or new recruits contact our Sales and Business Decelopment team today by email or complete our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 0191 227 3251.

All apprentices are required to be in full-time employment to study the Specialist Practice District Nursing Apprenticeship. If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship and you are in current full-time employment complete our online enquiry form.

If you are not in full-time employment but would like to study this apprenticeship programme, visit our vacancies page for information on all apprenticeship opportunities currently available.

Skills Assessment

Before entry onto the programme, all Apprenticeship applicants must complete an Initial Skills Assessment which maps their prior knowledge against the apprenticeship standard. This is part of the University’s regulatory funding obligations. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to provide new learning and the skills assessment will be used to establish whether we need to tailor your programme in any way to account for your previous qualifications or experience. It also provides a benchmark against which to map your progress on the programme.