Overview
The Nursing Associate is a highly trained, generic, nursing support role in England designed to bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Successful completion of this course gives you registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate. It can also be a stepping-stone to becoming a Registered Nurse or progress in your career within the health and social care sector.
The course is a combination of theoretical and practice learning. You will attend university once a week and work-based learning the rest of the week. You will be taught and supported by experienced academics who also teach in the BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, Learning Disability, Mental Health and Children’s Nursing. You will have practice placements in a range of clinical specialties and healthcare settings in hospitals and the community. You will be supported by practice supervisors and practice assessors, to develop clinical and interpersonal skills and experience in caring for people with different healthcare needs across the lifespan.
You will have access to all university facilities including our skills laboratories, lecture theatres, library, student services and the student union.
Trusts will include:
Barts Healthcare NHS Trust
Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust
Mid & South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
| Application Deadline | Programme Induction / Enrolment Date | Programme Start Date | Teaching Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | TBC | January 2024 | TBC |
Accreditation NMC
Mode | Duration | Start Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Full-Time (Havering) | 2 years | January | Havering Campus |
Why Nursing Associate at LSBU?
- grad
- 96% of students on this course said staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2023)
- toolbox
- 96% of students on this course said they were challenged to achieve their best work (National Student Survey 2023)
| ModeFull-time | Duration2 years | Start dateApril | Application code5576 | Application method UCAS |
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Want to start your course this September? call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.
- BTEC National Extended Diploma (PPP) or
- BTEC National Diploma (MP) or
- BTEC National Foundation Diploma (M) or
- BTEC Extended Certificate (D) or
- A level (DD) or
- Equivalent level 3 qualification
All applicants must hold:
Maths and English GCSE A-C / Grade 4 and above or level 2 equivalent AND
48 UCAS tariff points e.g.:
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Advanced entry
If you have already completed some studies at another university, we may be able to consider you for advanced entry. Please see our advanced entry page for more information.
United Kingdom
£7710
Tuition fees for home students
International
£
Tuition fees for international students
Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.
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Full-time
full-time
FdSc Nursing Associate (NMC) (FT) - Year 1
UK fee: £7710 International fee: £ AOS/LSBU code: 5576 Session code: 1FE00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15420 FdSc Nursing Associate (NMC) (FT) - Year 2
UK fee: £7710 International fee: £ AOS/LSBU code: 5576 Session code: 2FE00 Total course fee: * The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.
UK: £15420
Fees are shown for new entrants to courses, for each individual year of a course, together with the total fee for all the years of a course. Continuing LSBU students should refer to the Finance section of our student portal, MyLSBU. Queries regarding fees should be directed to the Fees and Bursaries Team on: +44 (0)20 7815 6181.
For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.
See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).
Possible fee changes
The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.
The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.
Scholarships
We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.
Course fees are paid via the apprenticeship level or via non-levy arrangements and agreed via the tendering process according to ESFA funding rules. The funding band for a Nursing Associate is £15000 over 2 years.
Home
| Mode Full-time | Duration 2 years | Start date April | Application code 5576 | Application method UCAS |
Please send your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using our institution code L75. UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.
See our How to apply page for further details.
Personal statement
See our top tips for writing your personal statement.
Results
If you are unsuccessful in your application to LSBU for this year you cannot apply through UCAS Extra or Clearing. However you can apply for the following year. It is important that you read the comments in the results statement so that you are prepared for any other interviews you may have.
Accommodation
Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.
Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.
Prepare to start
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)
All pre-registration students need to be DBS cleared before going on placement. You’ll need to have an enhanced DBS check even if you have had one before and will not be able to go on placement until this is complete.
The DBS process is not difficult but can take some time so it's best to get started as soon as you receive your email.
DBS update service
If you're part of the DBS update service, your subscription is up to date and you already have a DBS certificate, please bring in your original green DBS certificate for the document check. To take advantage of the update service, your certificate needs to be classified as 'Enhanced' and workforce must be listed as 'Adult and Child'. If you have any queries, please email us at hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.
How to complete your DBS
Our DBS supplier, Verifile, will send you an email with all the details you need to complete your DBS.
Verifile will give you instructions to log into their system and complete your personal details and information. To complete the process, you'll need your passport or driving licence and 5-year address history including dates when you moved in/out.
You can use your application number to track the progress of your DBS.
When you've finished, your Disclosure Statement will be mailed to the most recent address in your submission, so please make sure it's correct. We don't automatically receive a copy of this Statement, which is why we need you to bring it in as part of the next step.
Document check
Once you have completed the online part of the DBS process, you will need to produce three accepted documents from this list (PDF File 248 KB) to be verified.
Providing documents whilst campus is closed due to COVID-19
Document check on campus
Document check at the Post Office
Occupational Health (OH)
An exciting part of many of our Health and Social Care courses is the opportunity to learn off-campus and work with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.
Questionnaire
Once you have enrolled, students will be asked to complete an occupational health check, the first part is completing an online questionnaire sent from our occupational health provider.
GP appointment
The second part of your occupational health check is to get any inoculations that you may need from your GP. When attending your GP appointment, please take printed copies of these two documents with you.
Vaccination Screening Advisory Letter (PDF File 126 KB)
GP Vaccination and Screening History (PDF File 117 KB)
Occupational Health appointment
After these steps are complete you will receive an email from OHWorks Ltd inviting you to attend an appointment on-campus with an Occupational Health Nurse. These appointments take place during the week and sometimes when your classes have already started.
The OH team have prepared this guide (PDF File 588 KB) which outlines what to expect at each stage. If you have queries or concerns about your Occupational Health clearance or inoculations please contact the Occupational Health team.
Numeracy practice
Before starting your course, you may want to check or practice your numeracy skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that helps you learn, revise and quiz your essential numeracy skills. You’ll also be able to get a certificate to show your efforts.
Uniforms
Most placements and some practical sessions in our skills laboratories will require you to wear a uniform and name badge.
Holidays
Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Nursing Associate Students will be based at Bart’s Health NHS Trust, Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust (MSE), Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT).
As there is one entry point (January) in the year, the traditional semester approach is not applicable. One module is undertaken at a time. However, you will undertake semester’s assessments at set points during each year, in line with other university students.
Year 1
- Biosciences for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module provides an understanding of the structure and function of the main body’s systems and how the human body maintains homeostasis. The content of this module has been selected and developed to equip apprentice Nursing Associates with the necessary knowledge to inform their nursing practice and provide and for progression throughout the programme. This knowledge will enable students to go on to develop an understanding of pathophysiological processes and the fundamentals of pharmacology. Students are supported in their learning with extensive use of teaching strategies such as key lectures, workbooks and e-learning. - Communication and person-centred care (20 credits) – Semester 1
The focus of this module is on patient-centred care to promote patient safety. Nursing Associates need to learn how communication can influence practice as well as therapeutic relationships and how to assimilate theoretical knowledge into practice to improve patient safety. It will identify the need for a range of alternative communication techniques to effectively manage, maintain and promote safe care. This module explores the actions a Nursing Associate takes to ensure that each person receives appropriate person-centred care, treatment and support. - Introducing evidence-based practice for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module introduces the nature of evidence in health and social care and the importance of evidence-based practice for patients and their families and their safety and quality of experience. Students will develop skills in accessing evidence, gain familiarity with the library, including the use of electronic databases and learn how to use the University’s referencing system for their material. Students will learn key terms relating to research and evidence-based practice and be introduced to an evidence-based practice model. The module also sets out the context for the conduct of health and social care research, including funding and ethical aspects. - Recognising and meeting care needs (60 credits) – Semesters 1 and 2
This module will introduce students to the values, frameworks and skills that underpin working as a Nursing Associate. The module focuses on different methods and frameworks engaged in holisticcare underpinned by evidence-based practice. The module is mapped against the Standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC, 2018) and prepares students to carry out fundamental nursing skills across the four fields of nursing, utilizing a combination of teaching methods including theory to support clinical skills in practice.
Year 2
- Promoting health and preventing ill health for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module introduces public health concepts and contemporary public health issues, the principles of which can then be applied at an individual and population level and within a local, national, and global context. This module of study is aligned to the NMC Standard, promoting health, and preventing ill health (NMC(2018) Standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates – platform2. - Applied physiology for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 1
This module will extend and deepen students’ understanding of human physiology, which will then be applied to physiological changes that take place during disease processes. Knowledge of cell receptors and some receptor groups will be linked to physiological activity in different systems then linked to the effects of certain drugs and the changes they elicit within body systems. - Pharmacology and medicines management for Nursing Associates (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module aims to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the principles of pharmacology and medicines management to ensure students are ready to administer medicines upon registration with the NMC. It will explore and discuss the principles of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics alongside the pharmacology of groups of drugs commonly used in clinical practice. It will consider and evaluate the roles and responsibilities of the Nursing Associate in relation to the safe administration of medication in clinical practice. - Team Working and Role Transition (20 credits) – Semester 2
This module will develop and build effective team working and leadership skills in a complex and multidimensional health care setting. It will explore theoretical models of leadership, teamwork alongside quality improvement and patient safety and provide an opportunity to explore how these concepts interrelate and impact the delivery of care and prepare the student for the transition from student to registered Nursing Associate. The module will also review the skills, attitudes and behaviours that support personal development and lifelong learning in themselves. - Providing and monitoring care for Nursing Associates (40 credits)- Semesters 1 and 2
This module builds on students’ existing knowledge and skills and extends these for application to more complex scenarios across the life span. The module focuses on the collaborative planning, delivery, and evaluation of holistic care alongside that of a registered nurse. It will also enable students to recognize, respond to and act upon their clinical findings of a patient who is deteriorating. The module is mapped against the NMC, 2018)standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates and prepares students to think more critically about and carry out more complex nursing skills. The module uses a combination of teaching methods including simulated practice.
Careers
Employability Service
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
When you finish the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as a Nursing Associate with the NMC. This allows you to practice within the UK in NHS Trusts/hospitals, particularly where you gained experience during training. Qualified nursing associates can also go on to train as a registered nurses by putting their training towards a shortened nursing degree or registered nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA).
The Nursing & Midwifery Council - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk)
The Nursing and Midwifery Council – Nursing Associates
The Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education
Education and Skills Funding Agency
Professional Accreditation
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
Nursing and Midwifery Council
Teaching and Assessment
A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used to support individuals learning styles and build competence in various methods of assessment. Teaching includes lectures, seminars, skills-lab simulations, online learning, role-play, debates/discussion, as well as supervised learning within the clinical area. Assessment methods utilised include essays, group projects, written examinations, presentations, and OSCEs.
