FDSc Nursing Associate

About your course

Nursing Associate Foundation Degree (FdSc)

Do you aspire to work in the nursing profession, but don't currently have the A Level or BTEC qualifications to apply? Liverpool John Moores' new Nursing Associate foundation degree could be the ideal way for you to start your journey to becoming a registered healthcare professional.

When you successfully complete this two-year foundation degree, you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nursing associate.

Nursing associates play a vital role in patient care and are a key part of the nursing team. Working closely with registered nurses and healthcare support workers, nursing associate duties can include:

• performing and recording clinical observations, for example, blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse
• undertaking clinical tasks including venepuncture (taking bloods) and electrocardiograms (ECGs)
• supporting individuals and their families and carers at emotionally difficult times during their care
• discussing and sharing information with registered nurses on a patient's condition, behaviour, activity and responses
• ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
• recognising issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults.

You can read more about the role of a nursing associate on the NHS Health Careers website.

LJMU's FdSc Nursing Associate gives you lots of chances for hands on clinical skills practice, whilst supporting you to develop a robust knowledge base. Our professional tutors, student mentors and support staff are all here to help you progress through the foundation degree confidently and successfully.

Whether you decide to enter work as a registered nursing associate, or go on to apply to the half-way point of a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree, this foundation route offers a fantastic, accessible way to join the healthcare profession.

A minimum of 32 UCAS points which can be achieved through A level or BTEC National Extended Diploma. A minimum of two GCSE's which must include Maths and English at grade C or above OR level 2 Equivalency in Numeracy and Literacy.

Employability

Successful completion of the programme will allow you to apply for registration as a nursing associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This can lead to careers in the NHS, private sector and voluntary sector.

The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (2023) states that that by 2036/37, there will be over 64,000 nursing associates working in the NHS. Nursing associates can work across a variety of settings with patients and service users across the lifespan, encompassing physical and psychological health.

Qualified, registered nursing associates usually enter the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale at Band 4, which starts at £25,147 per year, rising to £27,596 after three years' experience.

In addition, students who have successfully completed a Foundation Degree Nursing Associate programme will be able to apply to enter Level 5 (Year 2) of a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree in order to progress in their career to Registered Nurse Status.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.

One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.

A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.