Trust: Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Tell us about you and why you decided to pursue this career?

“I have been working for Humber Trust for over 3 years, I started as the activity coordinator on Mill View Court where after a year, I moved over to being a Health Care Assistant, which is where I really found my feet and knew that nursing was the career route I wanted to go down!”

How are you finding the course?

“I have been loving my Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, Humber have been very supportive, from Gill Craik being our go to in the trust plus my mentors and the management at Mill View Court have been very supportive of my studies.”

What has the course given you?

“I’m glad I have chosen the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, as well as Mental Health it is a generic course, so covers general nursing. So far, I have had placements on general wards, which have opened my skill set and experiences, also opened my avenues for my future showing me difference aspects of nursing. The apprenticeship is also a great route for learning while working whilst still earning a wage which can be a big barrier for people going back to university. The course is very practical as well as assignments, exams, presentations and poster projects, the course is versatile to suit all learners and abilities.”

Amy Anderson – Trainee Nursing Associate Apprentice

Trust: Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Tell us about you and why you decided to pursue this career?

“I have been working in health care since I was 17. Nursing for me is a science and a work of the heart; a career that fulfils you in so many ways through helping others. It is a career that challenges you and brings joy and sadness in equal measure. I started as a HCA which sparked my love for nursing and desire to pursue nursing as a career. But my life took a different direction and I put my career on hold to bring up my 4 children. I continued to work whilst being a mum and progressed as a HCA and gained experience and skills in many different areas. In hindsight; those years of experience were invaluable to preparing me for undertaking my nursing degree. I started working for Humber NHS trust in 2020 as a band 4 assistant practitioner on an inpatient ward. Humber were happy to support me to complete my studies and the process was seamless as they worked closely with the Open University. Humber got the ball rolling very quickly and before I knew it, I was applying for the RNDA (Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship). I was successful in my application and was on the programme to start in February 2021”

Would you recommend this Apprenticeship to others withing to have a career in Nursing?

“Definitely! The apprenticeship route serves so many benefits both to the student and the trust. It shows the trust invests in their staff and sets you off in your new career equipped with the support that you need. Although the course takes a little longer than normal due to it being part time it is worth it when you see your PIN on the NMC register for the first time. I would say to anyone to go for it and embrace every minute!! I am extremely proud of myself for completing the course and still pinch myself when I say out loud, I am a staff nurse!”

What has the course given you?

“The course has simply made my dream into a reality, the apprenticeship route is a great way to recruit, retain and develop staff who want to progress in their careers but have other commitments that make going to university full time challenging. The course challenged me personally and professionally, I have learned new skills particularly academically through essay writing and presenting work in groups, something which put me out of my comfort zone so was personally challenging for me. It has given me more confidence as a new registrant because I do not feel I have had a gap in work as the course has run alongside my job.”

Emma Headland, Registered Nurse

Trust: Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust

Tell us about you and why you decided to pursue this career?

“Before joining the NHS I was a tire fitter, and I wanted a change in job as I worked 6 days a week. I applied for an Apprentice HCA at Mill View Court. After completing this I moved to Westlands as a band 3 HCA. From there I applied for the RNDA program which I am 2 years in at the moment. I wanted to do the RNDA program as I originally didn’t realise, I could become a nurse and I thought that I’m quite good at this job so I might as well learn more and better myself.’’

Are there any obstacles you have had to overcome?

“I am dyslexic which I have had extra time for exams, and I can have extra help if needed but currently I don’t need it.”

Any advice you would give someone wanting/thinking of doing something similar?

‘’I would 100% recommend doing the course as there is no tuition fee, still employed full time and the only negatives are that you may not get enhancements and you do come out of sync with the ward or workplace that you are in, however this is covered whilst on placement even if they are a few months apart.’’

Matthew West, Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice

Meet Rebecca Webb, a trainee occupational therapist, based in Wakefield working for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Rebecca shared her apprenticeship journey and spoke with the trust about her experience for National Apprenticeship Week in February 2024.

Meet Anna Ogunleke, a health care support worker, based in Calderdale working for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Anna shared her apprenticeship journey and spoke with the trust about her experience for National Apprenticeship Week in February 2024.