Nursing Degree Apprentice Review
at NHS
Degree Apprenticeship
Healthcare
North Walsham
Review Submitted: February 2022
Overall Rating
2.8 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
2.5/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2.6/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
I work in the role of a Healthcare Assistant in a community nursing team. I primarily see patients for Insulin administration, anticoagulation therapy, catheter care (females only) and wound care. I then document everything I do on the shared electronic system used by the GP surgeries and community nurses, which is called SystmOne
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
The programme has been very hard, especially through the pandemic. Due to the sheer amount of work required, I have felt stressed almost constantly for three and a half years, and have not been able to have a social life. For me, the programme is a means to an end that I am very grateful for, but have not necessarily enjoyed.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I worked as a support worker for people with learning difficulties prior to this, so I was experienced with regards to personal care, but everything I have learned clinically has been completely from scratch. Much of this learning has been through on the job experience rather than in the classroom.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
At the start, the organisation was appalling, as the course had only existed for eight months. We were going to our jobs without uniform, not being told where we needed to be until the day before. Over time, we have all learnt that the best course of action is to do everything ourselves and wait for the organisational bodies involved to catch up
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer had been overall very supportive. I feel listened to when I voice my concerns, and both my line manager and mentor are extremely proactive in ensuring I have the time I need to complete my studies. There have been times where I have felt that I was thrown in at the deep end, especially at the start of the pandemic, but ultimately that has paid off
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
This has been a very mixed bag. Some module leads have been excellent, others less than helpful. My academic advisor is quick to respond and has always been a great support. Unfortunately, there appears to be something of a blind spot at the University with regards to how much free time they think we have. On several occasions, members of my course had to use annual leave to complete the amount of work set.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Without the qualification, I simply would not be able to perform my role, as it is now a legal requirement to hold a degree in nursing before practicing. However, I feel that without the understanding it gives me of anatomy and physiology, patient psychology etc, I would not have the skills necessary to be better
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
There isn't really any time for extracurricular activities! And due to the pandemic, many things have not been available to us. Whilst the university has all the societies, they are not really available to us as apprentices as we do not have the time to enjoy them and are very rarely on campus.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NHS to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend my team within NCHC to a friend. Although the work can be hard and demoralising, the team itself is incredibly supportive and friendly, with little to no occurrences of conflict or discord. Everybody is highly skilled at what they do, and it is a privelidge to work with them.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NHS?
1. Make sure it is a job you REALLY want to do, and are passionate about
2. Make sure you are comfortable with the very rural terrain
3. Be open and honest about your needs and fears with your team
4. Be prepared to do a lot of work on your own initiative
2. Make sure you are comfortable with the very rural terrain
3. Be open and honest about your needs and fears with your team
4. Be prepared to do a lot of work on your own initiative
