Guy's and St Thomas' launches nursing associate degree

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has launched a nursing associate foundation degree in partnership with Coventry University.

The two-year course will see students training to become fully qualified nursing associates at the Liverpool Street campus, in central London, of one of the largest universities in the country.

Nursing associates work alongside healthcare support workers and nurses to provide care and treatment to patients in all fields of nursing, such as critical care, emergency, and mental health.

The role will also help free up nurses to focus on more complex care. It was created by the Government in 2017 and is being introduced in Trusts across the country.

The course involves academic work and work placements at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in a number of different areas, including paediatrics, learning disability and in the community.

Throughout the course students will receive regular supervision and have access to mentoring from nursing staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

Trainees will also have the opportunity to earn while they’re studying during their work placements.

The course has been backed by Health Education England, which regulates healthcare training and education.

Dame Eileen Sills, Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “We are absolutely delighted to launch this new nursing associate foundation degree in partnership with Coventry University. The course is a fantastic opportunity for people who want to pursue a career in nursing and experience working in one of the country’s largest and most prestigious NHS Trusts.

“Nursing associates play an integral role in our clinical teams and enhance patient care. We are fully committed to the role and our new degree will help ensure nursing associates are trained to the highest possible standards and are able to provide outstanding care.”

Professor Guy Daly, Coventry University acting deputy vice-chancellor (education and students) and pro-vice-chancellor for health and life sciences, said: “We’re delighted to extend our provision of the education of nursing associates to London through this partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’. We have achieved significant innovation and success in delivering this course, and were shortlisted as finalists in both the Health & Science Apprenticeship provider of the year by the AAC awards, and the Student Nursing Times Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the year 2019.”

The first cohort of students will begin the course in May 2020. To apply visit the Coventry University website