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LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
Please note: This course has mandatory placements within the NHS where you will come in contact with high risk and vulnerable patients and you are therefore strongly advised to ensure you are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to starting the course.
Nursing associates bridge the gap between registered nurses and healthcare support workers to providing a rewarding career and enabling you to make a real difference to people's lives. You will work with adults of all ages, who may have one or more long or short-term physical/mental health conditions.
As a Nursing Associate your duties may include:
- Taking basic observations such as pulse and blood pressure
- Undertaking clinical tasks such as ECGs
- Working with a wider clinical team to keep them updated with a patient's condition
- Dealing with safeguarding issues relating to vulnerable adults or children
With a FdSc Nursing Associate degree, you will be able to register as a Nursing Associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Working within the sphere of nursing, the Nursing Associate delivers high quality person-centred care across health and social care settings. The Nursing Associate works within all aspects of the nursing process, taking account of the perspectives and pathways of individuals, their families and/or carers providing holistic and person-centred care to individuals, supporting the registered nurse in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care.
The Nursing Associate is a highly trained support role to deliver effective, safe and responsive nursing care across a wide range of health and care settings. Nursing Associates work independently and with others under the leadership and direction of a Registered Nurse within defined parameters to deliver care in line with an agreed plan.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
COURSE SPECIFICATION - FdSc Nursing Associate
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MODULES
- Core Modules
Professional Values (Mental Wealth) CloseProfessional Values (Mental Wealth)
This module introduces you to the professional values that act in the best interests of people whilst collaboratively working in health and social care delivery. This will enable you to explore person centred care that promotes safe and compassionate practice, develop appropriate communication, personal and partnership working skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers/ service users. You will have the opportunity to explore their experiences and knowledge and apply this to evidence-based practice.
Bioscience for Nursing CloseBioscience for Nursing
This module introduces you to the structure and function of main body’s system and builds on the foundations of the art and science of nursing practice across the lifespan. This will enable you to recognise co-morbidities and effective treatment strategies in determining end of life care (platform 3) which underpins the development of clinical skills and holistic person-centred care. It is intended that you will develop the ability and apply the concepts that underpin safe, effective, evidence-based nursing practice.
Nursing practice in the workplace CloseNursing practice in the workplace
This module is designed to run across the academic year alongside NS 4205 ‘Developing as a Nursing Associate.’ Your learning within this module centres on the placement requirement for the Nursing Associate curriculum covering the NMC’s 6 platforms across all fields of nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities). The module also supports the 10 occupational duties and KSB’s apprenticeship standards
Promoting Health and Preventing ill Health ClosePromoting Health and Preventing ill Health
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the concepts of empowerment and health promotion in nursing practice. You will explore a range of care settings that includes chronic illness and health challenges throughout the lifespan which is related to working across professional roles, agencies and organisations. You will have the opportunity to learn about factors, inequalities and behaviour that affect the individual’s health outcomes and have a good understanding of health preventative and screening measures.
Communication CloseCommunication
This module aims to support you, the Nursing Associate to communicate effectively across a wide range of individuals, the public and health and social care professionals. Central to this module will be a focus on the importance of appropriate and acceptable communication to enhance health and social care delivery and develop interpersonal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, trust and respect.
Learning on this module will enable you to develop the appropriate communication skills necessary for working with patients including recognising the patient’s capacity to consent for treatment and/or potential risks of abuse, self-harm or suicidal ideation (platform 3).
Developing as a Nurse Associate CloseDeveloping as a Nurse Associate
This module spans the academic year and supports the module ‘Nursing practice in the workplace’ (NS 4291) The module aims to enable you to gain confidence and be proficient with a range of clinical skills and scenarios supported by simulated learning. This safe learning environment will allow you to practice your clinical skills to meet the NMC’s 6 platforms of the nursing associate standards across all fields of nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities). Additionally, the 10 occupational duties of the apprenticeship standards will be covered.
- Core Modules
Pharmacology for Nursing Associates ClosePharmacology for Nursing Associates
This module aims to enable you to be competent in providing safe and effective drug administration whilst adhering to local and national policies. You will explore and discuss the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics alongside the pharmacology of drugs commonly used in clinical practice. This module will direct your focus to the roles and responsibilities of the nurse associate in relation to safe administration of medication and the impact on patients with multiple health conditions. Platform 3 & Annexe B
This module equips you with the knowledge and skills to respond and recognise potential risks, hazards or incidences that require an appropriate escalation. In identifying your limitations within your role, you will examine your resilience and seek support to ensure quality patient care is not compromised. Platform 5. Mental Wealth
Professional competence in clinical practice CloseProfessional competence in clinical practice
This module spans the academic year and supports the module ‘Nursing Associate Practice 2’ (NS5291) The module builds on your clinical skill competency by actively engaging you in a range of clinical skills and scenarios within the simulated learning environment. This safe and supported learning ensures that you will have the opportunity to practice your clinical skills and gain proficiency to meet the NMC’s 6 platforms of the nursing associate standards across the 4 fields of nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities). In addition, the 10 occupational duties of the Nursing Associate (NMC) apprenticeship standards and KSB’’s will also be covered.
Nursing Associate Practice 2 CloseNursing Associate Practice 2
This module is designed to run across the academic year alongside NS 5202 ‘Professional competence in clinical practice.’ This module covers the placement requirement for the Level 5 Nursing Associate curriculum which allows you gain proficiency with the NMC’s six platforms across all fields of nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities). This also supports the 10 occupational standards in the Nursing Associate (NMC) apprenticeship standard (2018).
Evidence based research CloseEvidence based research
This module enables you to consider how research is generated from practice and the application to healthcare provision. You will explore the steps in conducting research and audits. The main research methods in health and social care will be explained and the associated ethical aspects will be examined. Methods of analysing and presenting different types of research data will be introduced and critical appraisal tools will be reviewed. This module equips you with the core skills and understanding to appraise research and its application in supporting the improvements and quality of effective patient care.
Platforms 4,5& 6
Patient Safety and Quality improvement ClosePatient Safety and Quality improvement
In this module you will focus on person safety and quality improvement in care provision within the healthcare settings. This module will also enable you to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that support the planning, delivery and evaluation of person safety and improvement. It is designed to enable you to explore person safety, health care quality and improvements.
Teamwork for inter-professional practice CloseTeamwork for inter-professional practice
This module equips you to build on the skills and knowledge gained in Year 1 that allows for the smooth transition into your new role and contributes to you working effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team. You will be able to illustrate your assessment and decision-making by responding appropriately and ensure appropriate prioritising and delegation has been achieved. This module will enhance your ability to role model appropriate behaviours in supporting, supervising and advising junior nursing associate students, health care support workers and those new to care roles. You will have the opportunity to appraise your learning with reviewing of the quality of care provided, constructive feedback, reflection, additionally raise your awareness of political and policy drivers that impact on healthcare provision.
Platform 4 & Annexe B
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
You'll be based in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience in Stratford, but this course integrates theory alongside practice, so you'll also spend time undertaking placements in a wide range of clinical settings.We have strong links with local NHS trusts and private-sector providers, which means you'll have a range work placement opportunities.
When not on placement, you'll enjoy practical and clinical sessions at Stratford in our Clinical Education Building. Our modern, purpose-built campus offers superb teaching facilities, as well as our Nursing Simulation Lab where you can practice what you have learnt in a safe immersive environment.
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module. Via guided independent study and scheduled teaching you will have 600 hours per year to ensure you meet the criteria for the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The approximate amount for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 300 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 300 hours; guided independent study - 300 hours
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group works, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides.
- Year 1 - 33 % practical, 33 % coursework, 17% Practice Assessment Documents (PAD), 17% Exams
- Year 2 - 33 % practical, 33 % coursework, 17% Practice Assessment Documents (PAD), 17% Exams
You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face to face assessments.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
A career in nursing offers opportunities for a career in a broad range of fields across the NHS and private sectors in hospital, community and social care. For example:
- Acute Hospital Trusts
- General Practice
- Community hospitals
- Nursing homes and care homes
- Private Hospitals and the independent sector
- Key industry partners
- Local NHS partners across North East London.
- Independent and private sector
UEL will support you in your personal and professional development to play a vital role in person-centred high quality care.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.