Expression of Interest:  Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship – Deadline 18th September

REVISED Deadline for expressions of interest (EOI): 18th September2025

We have been funded for 3 places across NEL for qualified Nursing Associates to undertake their “top up” Nursing Degree apprenticeship.

Funding available: £8,808 per year pro rata as a training grant towards the cost of education for towards the cost of delivering education for staff undertaking their NA/AP conversion to Registered Nursing programme

We are really excited to offer 3 funded places for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) across NEL. This is a fantastic opportunity for existing Nursing Associates to progress their career and in 2 years gain NMC registration as a Registered Nurse.

During the two-year programme the Registered Nursing Associate (RNA) will continue to deliver service and care across Primary care and NEL

During the programme the apprentice will retain their NMC registration as an RNA and when not in a supernumerary placement will work as a Nursing Associate.

The curriculum designed to meet the needs of the changing health and social care environment will enable the RNA to develop their resilience and create the culture and conditions for health and care services and staff, to deliver the highest standard of care.

The Nursing ‘Top Up’ Degree Apprenticeship will progress from a RNA to a Registered Nurse (RN) with the ability to assess, plan, provide and evaluate evidence nursing care for patients experiencing a wide range of conditions.

The entry criteria for this role are:

  • Candidates must be:
    • 18 years and over
    • Qualified and Registered Nursing Associate
    • Identify University where will attend RNDA course

As part of this EOI process successful candidates will need to submit a joint statement with their employer addressing the points below:

  1. What University does the applicant have a conditional place at? Placement support is not provided by NEL for this course, therefore, who is organising the external placements that are required:
  • The employer you (the employer)
  • the university
  • other (pls specify)
  1. Have you as the employer agreed to host placements for other Registered nurse apprentices as part of the reciprocal placement arrangement that will help to secure the external placements your apprentice will require?
  2. Please give the name of the Practice Supervisor and the Practice Assessor that will support your apprentice (these must be different people with SSSA training and/or update within the last 3 years).  See NMC for info on these roles: https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/standards/2024/standards-for-student-supervision-and-assessment.pdf
  3. Are you as the employer able to commit to allowing your apprentice to spend a total of 2300 learning hours (1150 hours academic learning and 1150 hours practice hours) over the programme, during paid working hours?   This includes academic study, protected learning time and supernumerary hours required by the NMC for this programme.  Please consult the university to get details on their delivery model if you are unsure of this.
  1. As the employer, has your apprentice been confirmed a place on the apprenticeship?  If yes, please attach a copy of the confirmation email to this EOI.

Click HERE to download the form.

The applicant must be able to commence this RNDA course before the end of March 2026

Please share your expression of Interest with Mary Marsh – Programme Manager (NEL Training Hub) via mary.marsh4@nhs.net

Shortlisting will take place week beginning 18th August. If interviews are required, these will take place week beginning 25th August