MMedSci Nursing Studies (leading to professional registration as an Adult Nurse) Apprenticeship Route

Our approach to teaching is innovative. Instead of sitting in a lecture theatre, you’ll work on solutions to specific problems. This helps you develop the skills and the confidence you need. You’ll study alongside other health care professionals in a health care setting.

You’ll learn how to critically evaluate current research, policies and practice. By linking theory to practice, you’ll develop a range of clinical skills and knowledge appropriate for professional registration as an adult nurse.

You’ll spend half your time gaining practical experience in a wide variety of community and hospital based settings and apprentices study alongside direct entry students at University 

Leading to the award of MMedsci Nursing (Adult)

Programme duration: 2 years (37.5 hours a week supernumerary) 

Intakes per year: November 

End point assessment (Zero credit) This will be an integrated aspect of the programme.

How to Apply

This programme is advertised locally in partnership organisations and application is via their recruitment processes.

The University does not currently recruit directly to the course.

Modules

Core modules

The course is 50 per cent theory and 50 per cent practice, based on four core units of study: There are 3 Parts to the programme 

• Foundations in Health and Nursing ( Part 1) 6 months long
• Patients with Acute and Short-Term Needs ( Part 2 ) 6 months long
• Patients with Long-Term Conditions and Complex Needs ( Part 2) 6 months long
• Transitions to Practice: Managing and Organising Care ( Part 3) 6 months long 

Teaching

This course uses an innovative problem-based learning strategy to help you think about real clinical practice scenarios. A strong emphasis on cooperative learning helps you manage unfamiliar situations, make reasoned decisions, adapt to change, and plan your future learning. It’s a realistic and challenging preparation for registration.

Placements

Placements will be organised by University staff and Employers.

Assessment

You’re assessed on theory and practice. In practice, you’ll need to achieve a number of proficiencies  by the end of each part , assessed by your practice assessor  Your theoretical knowledge is assessed by written assignments, case studies, poster presentations and exams.

Duration

• 2 years full-time 37.5 hours per week supernumerary status 
• Holidays are set throughout the programme.

Your career

After successfully completing your course, your qualification as a registered nurse opens the door to an exciting, rewarding and diverse professional career with many opportunities for personal and professional development.

Entry requirements

• Employment within a partnership organisation who will support apprenticeship
• While we value your caring experience it is still important that you meet the academic entry requirements of the programme
• You must meet the entry requirements for the programme prior to the course start date in November each year.
• You’ll need a 2:2 degree in a relevant area such as social sciences, human sciences, biomedical sciences, public services
• Certificate or certified statement of results of Maths GCSE grade C/4 or Maths Functional Skills Level 2 or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualifications list. 
• Certificate or certified statement of results of English GCSE grade C/4 or English Functional Skills Level 2 or any qualification that is listed on the ESFA approved equivalent qualifications list.
• You’ll also need to show that you have minimum 650 hours of health care experience: MMedSci work experience requirements

The MMedSci Nursing Studies (Adult) programme ( Apprenticeship route ) is a two-year course that is designed for those who have a degree in a relevant subject and at least 650 hours’ relevant experience. By meeting these criteria you will be eligible to use this qualification and experience to apply for exemption from one year’s training. The two-year MMedSci Nursing Studies (Adult) programme apprenticeship route is not three years’ training condensed into two years, it is a two-year course plus the degree that you already have, plus the 650 hours’ experience that you already have. If you don’t have a relevant degree and 650 hours’ experience then you would not be eligible to apply for the two-year programme.

The 650 hours can comprise a range of experiences but they do have to add up to at least 650 hours and you will be asked to provide evidence of these hours.

We look for experience which involves working with the public in some form of ‘helping’ capacity. This might be working as a health care assistant/support worker/carer or as an advisor or as a teacher.  Maybe you worked with homeless people or as a befriender to older adults. You may have worked with children or with people with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Caring for a family member may also be relevant. The list isn’t exhaustive and you are advised to contact the admissions tutor if you want to discuss your experience.  The experience could be gained via paid employment, voluntary work or a mixture of the two. However you must be able to provide verifiable proof of your experience. If you cannot provide verifiable proof of the hours, we cannot accept them.

Caring for a relative/friend is a very valuable experience but you must be able to provide evidence supporting the number of hours spent in this role. The evidence must come from a registered practitioner – such as a nurse, general practitioner or social worker –and they must be able to confirm the hours spent caring for your relative/friend.  Unfortunately if this evidence cannot be provided we will not be able to count this experience towards the 650 hours’ requirement.

You must meet both the academic and the practice entry requirements for the MMedSci  nursing ( adult ) programme . 

Other requirements

• Working in an adult field of practice.
• Demonstrates values in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Code of Professional Conduct (2018).

Interview/Assessment Centre

• Recruitment, shortlisting and interviews will be organised by the employer in partnership with the Division of Nursing and Midwifery and service users.
• 1 reference required from a line manager.
• DBS and Occupational Health Check required.
• All students require a skills scan before starting the programme.
• All applicants will be reviewed on an individual basis

Disclose and Barring Service (DBS)

• You will be required to have a DBS enhanced (including children) within the last 3 years.

Digital Learning Technologies

• Nurse degree apprentices are required to demonstrate the ability to use digital technology prior to commencing the programme, so you will be given a link once appointed to a free digital learning and testing site where you will complete the ‘basic computer skills’ package and submit the certificate as evidence as directed by your employer or on your first day of learning at the university. This link is free to use and allows learning and practice of digital skills prior to taking the test. The test can be taken several times.

Accreditation

This programme will lead to a Degree in Nursing (Adult) and application to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is made to become a registered nurse.

Funding 

Currently met by the Employer's Apprentice Levy.

Additional Costs

Travel to university and placement will not be met by the University. Please speak to your employer about expenses.

Employer organisations interested in the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship programme

If you are an employer and you are interested in joining the partnership groups or having a healthcare apprentice in your clinical area, contact ahpnm-apprenticeships@sheffield.ac.uk for more information.

While we value your caring experience it is still important that you meet the academic entry requirements of the programme. If you are currently studying towards meeting the entry requirements then you are welcome to apply. If you meet the level 3 requirements but aren’t sure if your GCSE/equivalent qualifications are sufficient then please contact us to discuss this. To apply for the programme you must be able to demonstrate that you have a good standard of secondary education.

Overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Listening, Speaking and Reading and 6.5 in Writing, or equivalent.