Flexible education programme tackles NHS nursing shortages

Success story: IOW NHS Trust

Summary:

  • Partner: Isle of Wight NHS Trust
  • Sector: Public sector, NHS
  • Challenges: Declining numbers of nurses and limited opportunities to qualify
  • Solution: Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship and Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, through the Open University (OU)
  • Outcome: Increased number of students studying and completing apprenticeships, with many in qualified NMC registrant positions

Background: A change of approach for nurse recruitment

With a declining number of nurses on the island, combined with limited opportunities for learning, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust needed a fresh approach to its recruitment strategy.

Partnering with the OU to offer a new, flexible educational route with apprenticeships led to them seeing huge success.

Over 76 apprentices have started studying for either a Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship or a Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship.

We had an extraordinary amount of interest in applications and enquiries. When we first put the advert out and put it on social media, it had the most hits we’d ever seen with any of our recruitment.

Donna Parkinson,
Head of Education, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust

Training that’s local and gives back to the community

For many local people, the prospect of having to move to study at a traditional university on the mainland was not an attractive option. This resulted in recruitment challenges, despite people being motivated to join the NHS.

I grew up on the island and always wanted to work for the NHS, but there weren’t many opportunities for studying on the island with it - you had to move off and go to university. I knew that wasn’t really for me. I think it’s important to do training here as I can stay with the community that I grew up in and give back – staying on the island and learning was an important thing for me.

Rachel Baker,
Nursing Associate, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust

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Conclusion: Growth and expansion leads to significant health improvements

As well as the actual numbers of apprentices that are studying (or have completed) the courses, the Trust saw an increase in opportunities and career pathways for not only people in the local community, but also new recruits attracted to the island.

This has also resulted in a more diverse cohort of nurses, whose needs have been met, allowing them increased opportunities to join a wide variety of placements.

The OU learning model works for the Trust and it’s not only flexible for employers, but flexible for learners as well. I feel very proud and privileged to be part of this programme.

James Barclay
Learning and Development Officer, the Isle of Wight NHS Trust

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