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The trainee nursing associates' experience of academic learning: the first 6 months

Firth, Dawn H

Authors



Abstract

Background:
The introduction of the nursing associate role has aimed to provide a different route into nursing careers. Education standards have been structured in line with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards for nursing associates for them to meet the proficiency requirement to enter the NMC register (NMC, 2018c). However, there are pedagogic challenges due to the inclusive nature of recruitment, which requires only baseline entry qualifications.

Objectives:
The purpose of this research is to investigate the experience that trainee nursing associates (TNAs) have of academic learning within the first six months of their apprenticeship programme and to determine the impact of this experience on their progression.

Design:
A quantitative design was adopted using data collected from two focus groups comprising TNAs who had completed their first two trimesters of academic study. This allowed a phenomenological approach to understand the subjective experiences of the participants within a purposeful sample.

Findings:
Some three key areas that affected learner progression were highlighted in the study: readiness to study; support to study; and transition of trainees to becoming independent learners.

Conclusion:
Investment and preparation by all partners involved in the TNA course are crucial. Readiness for trainees to study needs robust and timely recruitment, and learners would be supported by having basic study skills prior to commencement.

Citation

Firth, D. H. (2023). The trainee nursing associates' experience of academic learning: the first 6 months. British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, 17(10), 362-370. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2023.17.10.362

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 2, 2023
Online Publication Date Oct 28, 2023
Publication Date Oct 2, 2023
Deposit Date Dec 20, 2023
Publicly Available Date Apr 3, 2024
Journal British Journal of Healthcare Assistants
Print ISSN 1753-1586
Electronic ISSN 2052-4420
Publisher MA Healthcare
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 17
Issue 10
Pages 362-370
DOI https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2023.17.10.362
Keywords Nursing associate; Apprenticeship; Education; Learner; Study
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4430379

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Copyright Statement
This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Healthcare Assistants, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/bjha.2023.17.10.362.




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