Nursing apprenticeships help to tackle skills shortages

Success story: Risedale Estates

Summary:

  • Partner: Risedale Estates
  • Sector: Private, nursing homes company
  • Challenges: Significant shortage of nurses within the region, associated costs for staff relocation
  • Solution: Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) through The Open University (OU)
  • Outcome: Increased pipeline of local, skilled and loyal nurses

Background: Skills shortages

Risedale Estates operates a number of nursing homes in Cumbria, a region that has suffered more than others when it comes to a shortage of skilled nurses.

This often means employers are having to pay relocation costs to staff in order to maintain the recruitment levels it needs.

And this is combined with the rural nature of the region meaning that for many nurses, travelling for University courses is not a viable option.

Also for many, the cost of funding their own study would be challenging.

Apprenticeships are a life saver for so many people. I would never have gone to university to do nursing again because I couldn’t have afforded it. Without doing the apprenticeship there’s no chance I would have the skills and the knowledge I do now.

Ashleigh Thorne,
Clinical Nurse Manager, Risedale

Flexibility for students and companies

Compared to other learning options, the OU’s apprenticeships are often more appealing to students, as they give them the flexibility they need.

Academic modules are studied remotely, therefore avoiding the travel time and costs to attend a traditional University.

One of the benefits of using the OU is that the learning is a lot more flexible. From an employer point of view, we have our staff [available to us] more.

Ashleigh Thorne,
Clinical Nurse Manager, Risedale

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Conclusion: Apprenticeships offering opportunities for all

Since the RNDA programme started in 2018, Risedale has seen more than 25 employees sign up to it.

As a nod to this success, they were recently included within the Government’s ‘top 100 apprenticeship employers’.

Not only has this helped them to build a team of skilled nurses, but has also helped to provide important job opportunities for the local community.

It’s what attracted me. I had a house and a mortgage so I couldn’t afford to go off to university. This way I had a full-time wage while doing my studying and a guaranteed job at the end of it.

Ashleigh Thorne
Clinical Nurse Manager, Risedale

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