First nurses graduate from health Trust's apprentice programme
Hospital chiefs in Northumberland are celebrating producing their very first group of Student Nursing Associate (SNA) apprentices.
The group has successfully completed their training and graduated from the Northumbria Health and Care Academy and into their roles as registered nursing associates within Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
In all, 16 students have completed the two-year apprenticeship programme – which offers an alternative route into nursing by combining paid employment with academic study and hands-on clinical experience.
The Student Nursing Associate programme was established to widen access to nursing careers, with apprentices employed by the Trust throughout their training, enabling them to earn while they learn and gain valuable practical experience from day one.
They will now move into permanent nursing associate positions within the Trust.
The programme also enables students to qualify without accumulating university tuition debt, offering an accessible and financially supported route into the profession.
Emma Dawes, the Trust’s head of nursing, midwifery and allied health professional education and workforce development, said: "Today marks a significant achievement not only for our graduates, but for the Academy and the Trust as a whole.
"We are incredibly proud of the commitment, resilience and compassion shown by these 16 students over the past two years.
"They have balanced work, study and personal commitments while developing the skills needed to provide high-quality patient care.
"We look forward to seeing them continue their careers within our organisation."
Laura Hurst, newly qualified Nursing Associate added “I began my career as an estate agent but always aspired to become a nurse and was so I was thrilled to be accepted onto this course.
"The facilities and support exceeded my expectations, and my tutors were incredibly supportive throughout.”
The Student Nursing Associate apprenticeship has proven extremely popular since its launch, attracting high levels of interest from aspiring healthcare professionals seeking an alternative to traditional higher education routes.
The Academy recruits to the programme twice each year, with applications opening in August for a January start and in February for a June start.
The programme aims to play an important role in developing the future nursing workforce and supporting patient care across the region.