Fast-track diploma offers alternative route to nursing

A new fast-track diploma course has been launched as an alternative route into nursing for students without traditional qualifications.

The course, devised by Sheffield College and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is intended to ‘address a skills shortage in the health workforce and meet the future staffing needs of hospitals’.

The access to nursing (health professions) higher education diploma is a one-year course, starting in September, for people who are already employed by an NHS trust or healthcare organisation in a caring role.

A-level equivalent

Access courses carry the same weight as A-levels, so on completion diploma students can apply for a place on an undergraduate nursing degree course.

Candidates must have a grade C or higher in GCSE English and maths to be accepted onto the course, which will involve spending one day a week in the classroom being taught by NHS professionals and the remainder in the workplace.

Areas covered will include principles of care, mental health, non-infectious conditions, physiology, academic writing and research.

Students will be assessed through coursework, exams and competency-based assessments.

Meeting demand

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief nurse Hilary Chapman said: ‘Our trust has a successful track record in training, nurturing and developing a strong and effective nurse workforce for the future.

‘This is a vital step forward in ensuring that the nursing workforce of the future has the appropriate level of skills, knowledge and ability to meet the rising demand for healthcare services.’

Some students may also be eligible to apply for a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to help with the costs of studying.

Further information:

Access to nursing (health professions) diploma online application