Spotlight on nursing apprenticeships As part of the Year of the Nurse and Midwife celebrations and while raising the profile of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week (3–9 February), we caught up with Adam Smith, who started at the trust as a cadet nurse 19 years ago. Adam has recently completed his nursing apprenticeship top up degree to become a registered nurse - you can read more about Adam’s apprenticeship journey below:
at Anglia Ruskin University was a two year course; during this time I was based on Fleming Ward and attended university one day a week. We were also allocated a student day to help with completing learning booklets, essays and exams. There was a high volume of applicants and only 20 places available, I was very grateful to have been given a place, with support from my manager.
My top up course to become a fully qualified nurse was a 22 month course and consisted of two placements days per week, full time placements and week blocks at university, as well as placements at the hospital in What was your apprenticeship various different areas including and when did you start? Saunders Ward, the Derwent I joined the trust as a cadet nurse Centre, the neurological unit at the 19 years ago; I rotated around the Rivers Hospital and community hospital in a variety of roles and nursing; my final placement was areas to gain an insight into the on Kingsmoor Ward, where I am daily running of the hospital, whilst based now. completing an NVQ qualification. The roles and areas included Why did you decide to start an portering, phlebotomy, sterile apprenticeship? services, pathology and working I’ve always wanted to work in on our wards. healthcare ever since I was a young boy – when I saw the In 2008, I became a healthcare advert in the local newspaper assistant on John Snow and for the cadet scheme I jumped Nicholas Ward, which was an at the chance. This was a great infection control ward at the time. opportunity to begin my career I later went on to join our cardiac within the NHS, develop my ward, where the opportunity skills and knowledge, gain a came around to undertake an qualification and earn at the same apprenticeship to work towards time. a foundation degree in health and social care. Following this, I completed the apprenticeship degree top up course to become a registered nurse.
What did you enjoy most about the apprenticeship and why? Undertaking an apprenticeship allowed me to gain valuable experience and knowledge of the daily running of the hospital and different departments. The rotation around the different wards helped me to realise that my passion was for cardiac care. How do you think an apprenticeship has improved or opened up your career options? My apprenticeship has opened up lots of potential opportunities for me and allowed me to progress my nursing career. The journey is tough but worth the end goal – expect lots of juggling around in your home and work life. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time? I imagine myself having gained my Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) course and to have started my master’s degree. Adam Smith.
Tell us more about what’s involved in an apprenticeship The foundation degree course 5
