FAQs

Apprenticeships are defined as work-based learning. This means your employer pays for your training whilst you are still working. This means as a health care support worker, you will still be paid in accordance with your NHS Band whilst learning to become a nurse/nursing associate. You would also not be expected to make any direct contribution to the cost of your training.

HHFT works with 2 education providers, the University of Winchester (UoW) and BPP University who provide 3 programmes of study:

• Nursing Associate Apprenticeship (NAA) – also known as Foundation Degree Nursing Apprenticeship (FDNA)
• Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA)
• Transition to Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (TRNDA)

This depends on the programme type:

• A Foundation degree Nursing Associate (FDNA) programme is 2 years
• A transition to registered nurse apprenticeship, also known as a ‘Topup’ programme is 2 years
• A Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) is 4 years

Apprenticeship programmes are funded through a central fund known as the apprenticeship levy. NHS England also offer additional funding to support health care staff onto the apprenticeships programme.

You can find further information on: Apprenticeship funding - GOV.UK

For more information about the nursing apprenticeships, please visit Trustnet or contact the Learning Environment Team - learningenvironment@hhft.nhs.uk

There are 2 intakes a year, in the spring: February start – BPP university only, and the autumn - September and October starts, for the University of Winchester and BPP University respectively.  Recruitment to nursing apprenticeship programmes is opened in September for the Spring cohorts, and in Spring for the Autumn cohorts.

Information about the recruitment process is available on the Trustnet site and will be sent out by the Learning Environment Team via email to divisional leads, clinical matrons and also on Trust social media platforms.

Please visit the Trustnet page for more information.

In addition to meeting all the qualification requirements, the approval and support of your clinical matron is essential.

The courses are very similar as they are underpinned by NMC standards. To find out more please visit the specific session on the Trustnet page . You can you also visit the University website and speak to the programme leads about the apprenticeships programmes they offer.

HHFT operates a fair but competitive recruitment. It is important that you take time to prepare your self for interview. You can find some useful information including a handbook on preparing for a place on the nursing apprenticeships here: Key Application Information :: Hampshire Hospitals Trustnet

The total number of placement hours depends on the route of training.

• Learners on a RNDA programme are expected to achieve 2300 practice hours. This includes some hours achieved in simulation sessions at the university.
• Learners on FDNA and Top-Up programmes need to achieve 1150 hours in practice. The university takes recognition of prior learning experience into consideration, so the hours might change depending on the University process.

Whilst on a programme it is important that you keep an accurate record of all your placement hours and submit your timesheets in a timely manner.

Placements are organised by the Learning Environment Team in collaboration with the Universities. To ensure you gain exposure to a wider breath of leaning, you will be expected to attend placements in a variety of settings – in the Trust and in the community: this may include placements in a community NHS Trust, social care settings, GP surgeries and private organisations  The learning environment team takes the learner’s background and experience into consideration when arranging placements, but will not be able to uphold direct placement requests from apprentices.

We encourage learners to take the maximum advantage of all the learning opportunities in the Trust. This is helpful when you are in placement however you may discuss your intertest in attending a shadow shift with your line manager when you are not on placement.

Our primary mode of contact is through email: learningenvironment@hhft.nhs.uk. There are other opportunities to get in touch with us e.g. though our regular ward walkabout visits, student drop-in sessions and quarterly Q& A sessions (BPP apprentices).

As per the Trust process, learners are notified about their placements two months in advance to placement starting. As some of your placements may be in the community/with other organisations, we may not always be able to meet the 2 months’ timeline in these instances.

Placements provide great opportunities to work in different areas and specialities, learn new skills and put learning into practice.

However, we are aware that problems can arise: If you have any concerns, it is important to raise these with your practice assessor or the manager in the placement area at the earliest opportunity. Depending on the nature of concern you may want to contact your academic assessor, your matron, the learning environment team and your university programme lead. 

If you are concerned about how your placement would support your learning needs first discuss your learning objective with your Practice Assessor and your academic assessor. As they will be able to support you. Each ward/ clinical area has a placement profile/student handbook which has information about the area and can help in identifying available learning opportunities. You can also contact the learning environment team for support.

You are expected to dress appropriately for your role and follow local uniform/dress policies. For HHFT staff, this is outlined in the Standards of Dress and Appearance Policy.

You will have two uniforms, one for your HCSW role and one provided by the University which you should wear when on practice placements. You must wear an HHFT ID badge when on placement.

You MUST take annual leave in line with Trust policy. This must be agreed with your clinical matron or line manager, whether taken from theory or practice blocks. Any issues with leave should be highlighted to the education providers and the Trust (clinical matron or line manager from your home-base). Please refer to university timetable as these will indicate when you should be taking annual leave from your university hours.

All annual leave from your university/ academic hours must be recorded on your Healthroster.

Yes, apprentices are required to provide weekly evidence of new learning. You can reflect on year learning with your practice assessor or senior member of staff in your homebase. This can contribute towards the required weekly reflective hours.

Learners on Nursing Apprenticeship programmes cannot claim travel expenses whilst undertaking supernumerary practice, off the job hours and/or travelling to place of study.

Tripartite reviews are essential for ongoing support and reviews of progress while on the nursing apprenticeship programme. Apprentices are required to attend the review meeting supported by a senior member of staff e.g. their line manager, and a coach from the University. Please ensure you communicate the meeting dates in advance with your line manager for planning purposes.

Please refer to HHFT guidelines and policies on students’ participation in future nurse proficiencies.

At all times learners are expected to be supervised whilst undertaking these skills.

Enhancements for working unsocial hours will not be paid whilst undertaking supernumerary practice and off the job hours. See 11 above.

A Break in Learning (BIL) may be appropriate if you are not able to engage with active learning for a long period (more than four weeks).

BiL is any sickness/absence longer than 4 weeks; please see Apprenticeship Policy and University Handbooks for further information. There is a maximum length of time that you can take a BiL from programme (please refer to the Nursing Apprenticeship SOP and University Handbook).

If you are unable to complete the apprenticeship by the estimated completion of learning date, an extension may be granted, with the agreement of your clinical matron and University. Prior to proceeding on a break in learning, an estimated date of return would be agreed to your supported return to the programme.

Before you consider withdrawal from the programme it is important to ensure that all avenues of support have been explored. There is various support available for all apprentices. 

If withdrawal becomes the only resort, the first step is to discuss your intention with your personal tutor/programme lead, your matron and a member of the Learning Environment Team.