Programme Update: Pre-Degree Care Experience Pilot

We anticipate the pre-degree care experience approach to continue and expand. As soon as more information becomes available we will communicate out to stakeholders.

Cohort 1

12 Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) have been recruited to undertake between 6 and 12 months care experience prior to entering a degree nursing programme commencing in post between December 2013 and February 2014. They are being supported both by their host Trust and HENW through development sessions. Most recently representatives from Higher Education talked to the group about the transition from HCA to student nurse, entry criteria and lots of other information about nursing degree programmes, placements etc. All participants are involved in informing the Evaluation strand of the pilot from across all LETB pilot areas – this is being led nationally by Mary Lovegrove on behalf of HEE. The Final Report from the pilot is expected to be available in October 2014.

Cohort 2

A further 25 HCAs are being recruited to Cohort 2. Seven have commenced in post with the majority of others expected to start in April. A Network has been established for Trust and HEI leads providing a forum for discussion and decision making going forwards and learning from the pilot to inform future planning. A group to further support those involved (HEIs, Trusts and individuals) has been set up on eWIN and this will be populated over the coming weeks.

For more information please contact Fiona.Lord@nw.hee.nhs.uk.