Nursing Associate Practitioner

Nursing associates help bridge the gap between healthcare assistant and registered nurse. This practice-led course is aimed at healthcare assistants currently supporting registered nurses. Through study and work-based learning in a supportive environment, it develops your skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours so you can play an active part in improving people’s experience of healthcare.

Course accreditation

All our Nursing and Midwifery courses are regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

This course meets the requirements of the national Nursing Associate Training programme curriculum as well as the NHS Constitution.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Access to the latest medical/health equipment and facilities at regional hospitals and community health settings during placements

• Fully immersive simulation suites at both our Luton and Bedford campuses, preparing students to respond to and manage clinical situations and scenarios

• Simulation wards with a range of medical-grade, high-fidelity training mannequins to tackle real-life scenarios in a safe and supported environment

Career-powered links

To ensure your learning meets the benchmark set for care providers, our healthcare courses have been developed in collaboration with our regional healthcare providers and health authorities, particularly with our formal partner, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Our partnership with the Trust creates new opportunities for students to learn in real healthcare settings, alongside NHS professionals. There will also be opportunities for work experience and placements on campus in Luton once the Trust's new Community Diagnostic Centre opens within the University, in 2027.

Your student experience

You learn through a combination of lectures and seminars, guided study and work-based learning.

Attend university for the equivalent of one day a week so study fits easily alongside your current employment and other commitments.

Our lecturers are all experienced registered nurses and have published widely in their field.

Our strong links with regional healthcare providers mean you can secure a practice placement in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire.

Clinical specialists from our partnership trusts come to campus to support your learning so your studies are underpinned by the latest research and practice.

Benefit from the support of a practice mentor and a personal academic tutor.

On your placement, you undertake a mix of early, late and night shifts to ensure you experience typical shift patterns for a healthcare professional.

Course modules

Year 1
Academic skills development for nursing associates – Become a confident, independent learner with the skills needed to study at higher-educational level. Introduction to nursing associate interventions – Build your confidence in performing a range of basic nursing-associate skills. Understanding health for healthcare practitioners – Learn what constitutes a healthy body and mind. Exploring health and primary care services in the community – Understand local health service provision, policy and health needs. Application of nursing associate theory and practice – Develop the skills needed for person-centred care of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Year 2
Consolidating nursing associate practice – Build teaching skills and learn how to champion the nursing associate role in supporting patients, carers and the public. Integration of nursing associate theory and practice – Look at common conditions, their care and medication needs, and reflect on your role in delivering safe, effective care. Nursing associate interventions and person-centred care – Create a care plan that fits the patient’s needs and priorities, and show you can monitor, review and report effectively. Public health principles and practice for nursing associates – Identify health needs in the community and show how public health interventions can make a difference.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council