Nursing
Useful Links
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/i-am/considering-or-university/applying-university-through-ucas
https://www.hee.nhs.uk/about/our-values/nhs-constitutional-values-hub-0
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/nursing-framework.pdf
PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT-CENTERED CARE
http://pickerinstitute.org/about/picker-principles/
Numeracy and Literacy Test Examples
If you would like to arrange a mock interview, please email futures@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk
Job Profiles
Adult Nurse
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/nurse
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/adult-nurse
Children's Nurse
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/children's-nurse
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/paediatric-nurse
Mental Health Nurse
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/mental-health-nurse
Learning Disability Nurse
Alternative career routes
Nursing Associate
Nursing associate is a new role within the nursing team. Nursing associates work with healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public.
It is also a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse.
For more information:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/roles-nursing/nursing-associate
Health Care Assistant
Healthcare assistants make sure the patient experience is as comfortable and stress-free as possible. It can also be the stepping stone into many other NHS roles.
For more information: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-support-worker/roles-healthcare-support-worker/healthcare-assistant
Routes into Nursing
University route
Most people qualify by studying a degree in nursing. Nursing degrees aren’t all about having your nose in a book. There is lots of practical hands on experience with patients in hospital and community settings.
The first thing to decide is which field of nursing you want to study in, so use the links below to find more about them. In all of these fields you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people each and every day.
Entry requirements for nursing degree courses vary because each university sets its own entry criteria, but you are likely to need at least two (usually three) A-levels or equivalent qualifications at level 3, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths and a science (usually biology or human biology). Contact universities directly to find out whether qualifications equivalent to A-levels or GCSEs are acceptable.
Courses often specify preferred or essential A-level or equivalent subjects, such as one science (for example biology) or social science (for example psychology). Some universities offer courses with a foundation year for those without the necessary entry qualifications.
To look where to study use www.ucas.com or https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder
Apprenticeship route:
Offered as a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, you'll obtain a Bachelors degree and full Registered Nurse status on completion of a nursing apprenticeship.
Which universities offer nursing apprenticeships?
Anglia Ruskin University
University of Brighton
University of Cumbria
University of Derby
University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire (nursing associate)
Keele University (nursing associate)
Northumbria University
The Open University
Southampton Solent University
University of Suffolk
For more information:
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/healthcare/nursing-apprenticeships
https://www.nmc.org.uk/education/becoming-a-nurse-midwife-nursing-associate/becoming-a-nurse/
https://www.nmc.org.uk/education/becoming-a-nurse-midwife-nursing-associate/becoming-an-apprentice/
Armed Forces route:
You can also train to be a nurse in the armed forces such as :
Army
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing
CAREER VIDEOS
Types of Nursing
Adult Nursing
NHS Careers: Nursing Careers: Julia Judd, clinical matron for health and well-being
NHS Careers: Nursing Careers: misconceptions of nursing
The Placement Experience - Adult Nursing
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Specialist Enteral Feeding Nurse
Applying for NHS jobs
NHS Careers: Nursing Careers: a career in mental health nursing
Futures Booklet: Applying for Nursing
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Please scroll through our booklet regarding applying for Nursing at Higher Education.
Personal Statement example help links:
https://universitycompare.com/personal-statement-examples/nursing
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/personal-statement-advice-nursing
https://www.studential.com/personal-statement-examples/nursing-personal-statement-examples
Interview Help
How to prepare for your interview
If you're preparing for your interview for a Nursing or Midwifery course.
Check the information provided from the University when you were invited to interview what do you need to take with you? What type of interviews will you be undertaking? 1 to 1/ group?
Be on time! Make sure you know where you need to be and how to get there with plenty of time to spare.
Bring all documentation they have asked you to take with you.
Dress appropriately - remember, this is an interview for a professional course.
Re-read your application form and personal statement as they will ask you to elaborate on it.
Be clear about why you want to be a nurse/ midwife - why you have chosen this field of nursing; what do you know about the role and responsibilities of a nurse in this area; are you familiar with current evidence base. Good websites to look at are the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Royal College of Nursing; Royal College of Midwifery and the Nursing Times.
Be ready to answer questions about the profession – brief yourself on current issues. Check current news related to the profession you are hoping to go into.
Be ready to answer questions about the course
Be ready to answer questions about the University – have you been to an Open Day; why do you want to study here; how will you fit in?
What are your core values and how do you display these values – read NHS England’s Compassion in Practice.
Be yourself! Be confident ! Good luck!
Specific University guidance:
University of Cumbria
http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/Courses/ApplicationsEnquiries/Applicants/Interview.aspx
Liverpool John Moores
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/applicant-login/interviews-auditions-and-aptitude-tests
University of Manchester
http://www.nursing.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/nursing-application-process/
University of South Wales
http://www.southwales.ac.uk/study/subjects/nursing-health-sciences/how-prepare-your-interview/
Example interview questions
Interview Questions
Some questions could include:
Why do you want to be a nurse?
What do you know of the roles and responsibilities of a nurse?
What qualities do you need to be a good nurse? Think about how your talents and skills match the qualities needed. Read NHS England’s Compassion in Practice for guidance.
Also consider what you would want from a nurse.
Tell us about your work experience. What did you learn from it? Was it a daunting experience?
Why have you chosen to apply to this university; what do you know about our course; have you been to an Open Day?
What do you understand by the term 'professional'? What qualities do you need?
What current issues in nursing interest/are of concern to you?
What do you know about the NMC and registration? Read The Code for guidance.
Useful Links
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/apply/nursing-interviews
NHS values
When you undertake a programme of study that leads to an academic and professional award, like in nursing or midwifery, you’ll have an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a registered nurse or midwife. However, you need more than knowledge and skills to be a nurse or midwife – you also need the right attitudes and values.
The six values the NHS looks for are set out in the NHS Constitution (Department of Health 2015). If you’re considering a career as a nurse or midwife, or indeed any other healthcare profession, the NHS Constitution is essential reading. Along with the NHS values, it sets out the seven key principles upon which the NHS is founded, as well as the rights and responsibilities of patients and staff.
The values
So what are the values? There are six values that all staff – everyone from porters, physiotherapists, nurses, paramedics and gardeners to secretaries, consultants, healthcare scientists and phlebotomists – are expected to demonstrate:
Working together for patients. Patients come first in everything we do
Respect and dignity. We value every person – whether patient, their families or carers, or staff – as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits
Commitment to quality of care. We earn the trust placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics of quality of care – safety, effectiveness and patient experience right every time
Compassion. We ensure that compassion is central to the care we provide and respond with humanity and kindness to each person’s pain, distress, anxiety or need
Improving lives. We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of the NHS
Everyone counts. We maximise our resources for the benefit of the whole community, and make sure nobody is excluded, discriminated against or left behind.
Test your values with an e-tool
Health Education England has a free online tool to champion the values and behaviours of the NHS. The tool will show you some videos of staff working in various situations and ask you questions about how you would have handled the same situation. You'll then get an assessment report to show you how you've done.
Try out the tool for yourself.
https://www.nhsemployers.org/sites/default/files/media/VBR-Behaviour-framework_0.pdf
The 6c's
The interview itself
More commonly now, interviews will be centered around value based questions which means that interviewers will look to see how you demonstrate the NHS values within your examples at interview alongside how your skills reflect the 6 C's shown below:
Use these guides to help you prepare for particular questions and how you will answer them.
Remember to provide specific examples, referring back to the values initially and using the 6 C's were you can.
https://www.blackstonetutors.com/childrens-nursing-questions-and-model-answers/
https://www.blackstonetutors.com/nursing-university-interview-questions-and-answers
What an interviewer will use as a structure to assess you.
work experience & volunteering
Ideas you can do locally.
Community based volunteering
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/
https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/volunteer
https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering-and-participating/
https://www.gov.uk/volunteering
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-us/volunteer-with-us/
https://volunteer.volunteercentrebwf.org.uk/
http://www.playinclusionproject.org.uk/blackpool/
Hospital placements
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/career-planning/getting-experience
https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/work-experience
https://www.your-future.co.uk/work-experience-in-health-and-social-care/
Online courses
Spring Pod virtual course
https://www.medicmind.co.uk/medicine-ucas-guide/nursing-work-experience/
https://www.rcn.org.uk/Get-Help/RCN-advice/student-nurses
Community ideas
https://new.fylde.gov.uk/volunteering-opportunities-in-fylde/
https://www.sja.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/
https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer
https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/our-services/volunteers/
https://www.trinityhospice.co.uk/ - palliative, end of life care