NHS Apprenticeships

Published

I found out today that the NHS are now providing 4 year apprenticeships for RNs, where you work in hospitals, earn a wage and attend university for your BSc Nursing. So pretty much going back to the 70s style training then, except you get a shiny degree at the end. Oh and they've just started registering "Nursing Associates" who have 2 years training with a foundation degree at the end. According to NHS England, they definitely aren't the same as Enrolled Nurses, except they're exactly the same. Talk about reinventing the wheel.

I'm trying to find out if foreign trained enrolled/practical nurses can register as Nursing Associates, and will report back if the NMC ever deigns to respond!

Specializes in Practice educator.

I just believe in equal pay for equal work, if they weren't solely accountable for their patients like a nurse is, I'd understand the disparity in pay otherwise I just don't get it. Maybe I'm being overly protective of my students ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That is actually a valid point. If a RNA makes a mistake with care that person goes to court or sits infront of the NMC. However somewhere along the line they had to have properly registered professionals provding patient care. We have all seen the perfectly capable nursing assistant carrying out the duties of a band 5 nurse. I have seen it more than once. But now hopefully with the introduction of the nursing associate this can be done by someone who is accountable for the duty they just performed. There was just too much of a large gap between who was accountable and who was not. Maybe this will now help more people become band 5 nurses and sort out the shortfall.

Start as a band 2 become a 3 train as a 4 then become a 5. Really as is should be. It is much less pressure financially and the jumping into university scenario stress that prevents a lot of people from taking the jump from HCA to RN.

2
Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is also one other aspect that applies here. Whilst I do see band 4s and band 5s as equal nursing skill wise in regards to a lot of things one thing they can not do is take charge of a ward. Ever. That is not to say they would not be more than capable but that is really band 5 and above. You need to be able to go the nurse in charge to escalate things if needed. Band 4s can not take on this role.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Practice educator.

Yeah, thats true, I don't see them running a ward ever, plus not doing IV's maybe there is a need for that pay distinction. I just feel its a bit tough on these guys. I'm super excited that they got their chance though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think these two things will be left for band 5s. Specifically the charge part. There needs to be those set boundaries.

I am super happy that the ones who have progressed into this role have done so, otherwise some of them may have remained at band 2 forever, scared to go to university full time or not given the chance too. They have put themselves through a very tough gruelling two years and now, here they are :). There is a place for band 4s to shine in the nursing workforce and that is exactly what they are doing. I love working alongside this new role. And long may it continue.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 6/10/2019 at 6:03 AM, osceteacher said:

Yeah, thats true, I don't see them running a ward ever, plus not doing IV's maybe there is a need for that pay distinction. I just feel its a bit tough on these guys. I'm super excited that they got their chance though.

Ah, this is where the line gets horribly blurred. As an LPN, I cannot be Charge on an Acute Care Unit (inpatient/hospital). I CAN be charge in LTC/nursing home settings. I loathed being a Charge and moved to acute care to avoid the role.

I start IVs every shift that I work. I administer all IV meds that are used on my unit (prepare if not pre-mixed by pharmacy).

The dividing line (believe it or not is blood and travisol). I cannot spike the bags or set the rate of flow. Which is sort of moot. It's a two nurse procedure here. RN spikes bag. LPN signs that spike was witnessed. Both nurses then walk to bedside, ID the patient. LPN hangs bag, RN programmes pump. Both nurses sign for procedure. The nurse responsible for the patient then monitors the infusion. I kid you not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 6/15/2019 at 12:16 AM, Fiona59 said:

Ah, this is where the line gets horribly blurred. As an LPN, I cannot be Charge on an Acute Care Unit (inpatient/hospital). I CAN be charge in LTC/nursing home settings. I loathed being a Charge and moved to acute care to avoid the role.

I start IVs every shift that I work. I administer all IV meds that are used on my unit (prepare if not pre-mixed by pharmacy).

The dividing line (believe it or not is blood and travisol). I cannot spike the bags or set the rate of flow. Which is sort of moot. It's a two nurse procedure here. RN spikes bag. LPN signs that spike was witnessed. Both nurses then walk to bedside, ID the patient. LPN hangs bag, RN programmes pump. Both nurses sign for procedure. The nurse responsible for the patient then monitors the infusion. I kid you not.

??What kind of idiotic stuff is that?!

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion