Teaching
You will be taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures and seminars. Case studies (developed in partnership with service users) support a scenario-based approach to learning which facilitates small group activities and discussions, leading to shared and individual problem-solving and decision-making. A blended learning approach uses a range of strategies including the virtual learning environment, flipped classroom and e-learning packages, which promote personalised engagement with learning.
You will meet with your personal academic tutor 4 times in each year.
To integrate theory and practice and to development your knowledge, skills and behaviours all apprentices have to complete a tripartite individual learner progress reviews every 12 weeks. Members of this review will include the employer/assessor/supervisor, a university representative and the apprentice. Undertaking these scheduled tripartite meetings will allow individual monitoring of your progress across the apprenticeship.
At the core of the nursing programme is learning in a diverse range of clinical placements, learning in the real world which facilitates work-readiness, personal and professional development. Mandatory practice learning equates to 50% of the programme credit for each year. Your practice learning is mapped across the programme, gradually increasing as you gain in confidence, supporting your transition from apprentice to Registered Nurse. Your placements run in blocks across the year, with experiences normally in a minimum of two practice placements each part of the course, in a setting appropriate to adult/mental health nursing. The use of ‘spokes’ (visits to alternative placement settings) to maximise learning opportunities offered by diverse and non-traditional settings, offer exposure to opportunities to care for people from across the life-span, with mental and physical health needs and learning disabilities. Enhanced practice learning days rooted in clinical practice, provide opportunities to consolidate learning, provide opportunity for reflection, complete project activities and inter-professional learning opportunities and seek additional support as necessary to promote inclusive learning in the practice setting.
While on placement you are supernumerary and are supported by a practice supervisor and assessed by a practice assessor, both having undergone appropriate preparation for their roles. Further support is provided by the inter-professional team, a nominated person (usually a member of the practice education team) and an academic assessor allocated for each part of the programme. You will have access to the internet and library resources whilst on placement.
You will be provided with the opportunity to complete skills and simulated learning activities. All skills and simulation activities involve a range of people including students, peers, service users/carers, practitioners, technicians, academics and includes role play, ‘hands on’ practical skills sessions using a range of simulation manikins, video recording and playback. Formative feedback on performance is provided to facilitate safe and effective support for essential skills development, in a simulation suite, replicating hospital and community practice learning environments.