UCSA supports s a major new initiative to support front line nursing care

A collaboration between major Health employers in Hertfordshire and Essex, the University of Hertfordshire and University Campus St Albans (UCSA) has helped kick start the careers of a brand new generation of Nurses by backing a ground breaking national pilot initiative geared specifically for a major new role in the NHS.

A new excited cohort of over 50 students (all currently already working in the Health sector) and a range of  guests came together at the University’s De Havilland Campus last week for the launch of a new Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Heath Care Practice, which will introduce the role of ‘Nursing Associate’ into the modern working profession.

Hertfordshire and Essex are one of the early adopters of the pilot scheme, with the role identified and developed from findings from a national report, the Shape of Caring Review 2015. Across the country, approximately 2,000 employees will be the first recruits to take on the new role.

This new opportunity will be greatly welcomed by the estimated 1.3million health care assistants currently employed nationally to build on their experience and study to become qualified in the new Nursing Associate role.

Nursing Associates will work under the supervision of a fully registered nursing professional. The new role is a major new initiative to support and enhance front line nursing care.   

UCSA, a joint venture between the University of Hertfordshire and Oaklands College, has responded to this national initiative for Nursing Associates by creating a bespoke tailored programme which meets the needs of students and employers over two years.

UCSA Director of Higher Education Stephen Fox said: “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with the NHS Trusts and the University of Hertfordshire on this new project – which is spearheading change in today’s NHS.  There has been a huge interest in this new programme and those who have been selected have already done exceptionally well. We see the new role playing a key part in supporting front line nursing.”