Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship

The Open University’s Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) supports employers to develop their healthcare workforce to become NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) Registered Nurses in the fields of Adult, Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health nursing.

Our nursing apprenticeship is based on our extensive experience of successfully delivering practice-based nursing programmes. Since 2002 we have supported more than 3,000 individuals to qualify as Registered Nurses.

Apprentices study flexibly alongside work, so they can put newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice immediately, for the positive benefit of service users and patients.

Why choose The Open University’s Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship?

• Our tutor-supported online learning is provided and delivered flexibly and aims to meet the demands of your organisation, by enabling apprentices to balance study with personal commitments and minimising time away from the workplace.
• Learning is accessible 24/7 and provides consistently high-quality education for multiple staff, regardless of their location.
• Our experience in supporting learners, whatever their prior attainment, means you can develop applicants from all backgrounds, with us helping them to develop study skills as they engage with the programme.
• Apprentices can apply what they learn immediately into practice, for the positive benefit of the organisation.
• We have over 50 years of experience in providing knowledge and skills to busy working adults and have a proven history of delivering apprenticeship programmes to organisations from the NHS to FTSE 100 companies.

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The apprenticeship is suitable for growing and sustaining your organisation's healthcare workforce. It is for individuals who have demonstrated the capabilities and commitment to progress to Registered Nurse status. It can also be used to attract new talent to the organisation.

The programme offers an excellent progression route from relevant Level 2 or 3 apprenticeships, and we have well established credit transfer systems for accessing academic credit achieved by people who have undertaken prior relevant qualifications such as registered Nursing Associates and Healthcare Assistant Practitioners. Depending on prior studies, up to 180 credits can be transferred to the RNDA programme. In line with apprenticeship funding rules, an eligibility assessment will be conducted prior to undertaking a new apprenticeship.

Primary care and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) organisations.

We welcome interest from primary care and the PVI sector where: 

• there is a minimum of five learners per cohort (across the local area) 
• there is regional support to source placements and provide ongoing operational support. 

If you are enquiring from Primary Care or a PVI organisation looking to support fewer than five learners you will need to explore with your Primary Care Network or Integrated Care System whether a cohort of five, and the placement and regional operational support can be co-ordinated.

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The Open University (OU) has an inclusive approach to higher education and sets no formal entry requirements, other than those set by the NMC and the Apprenticeship Standards:

• Evidence of achievement of Literacy at Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent e.g. GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English, when applying to the programme.
• Evidence of achievement of Numeracy at Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent e.g. GCSE Grade C/4 or above in maths, when applying to the programme.
• Satisfactory disclosure and barring service checks (enhanced checks).
• Good health and character evidenced through occupational health clearance and a reference from current employer.
• Demonstrate the values and personal qualities necessary for nursing throughout the recruitment and selection process, including during interview.

For the latest information on vaccination requirements for frontline health and social care workers, please check the NHS England website and the Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Pre-Registration Nursing and Midwifery and Allied Health Profession Students.

Below is a summary of the eligibility criteria as set by the government for apprentices. For further information, see the Government funding rules.

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The apprenticeship:

• Is an equal balance of theory and practice. Learning is delivered through a combination of practice-based learning in the workplace and on placement, and through an enquiry-based learning approach delivered via supported online distance learning.
• Develops effective evidence-based practice and underpinning knowledge, in an interprofessional and interdisciplinary environment.
• Develops your existing healthcare workforce and can attract new talent.
• Increases staff retention by offering a clear and structured career progression to valued employees.
• Maximises the use of the apprenticeship levy.
• Supports widening participation initiatives.

The programme has start dates in February and October each year. It takes approximately 3 years to complete on the standard route or 4 years on the extended route.

The apprenticeship is a partnership between the OU and your organisation, starting with the recruitment and selection process which is led by an OU Staff Tutor. The RNDA programme consists of at least 4600 hours which are equally split between theory and practice. The OU delivers the theory elements via online learning and formative and summative assessments. In addition to the supernumerary practice hours, all apprentices are required to undertake planned off-the-job training time in line with ESFA funding rules.

The programme is split into 3 stages with a 60-credit theory module and a 60-credit practice module in each stage:

At each stage of the programme the apprentice will undertake 770 hours of supernumerary practice, split into 3 practice learning periods. The first 2 practice learning periods in each stage are based in alternative practice settings, to be organised by your organisation in collaboration with the OU. The third practice learning period is usually based in the apprentice’s primary base (e.g. the apprentice’s normal place of work).

Each apprentice must have a practice supervisor and a practice assessor as per the NMC (2018) Standards for student supervision and assessment. They will supervise and assess the apprentice’s learning in practice to achieve the proficiencies, skills, and practice-based assessments within the Practice Assessment Document (PAD).

The End-point assessment (EPA) is fully integrated into the RNDA programme. On successfully completing all theory and practice assessments, the apprentice will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Nursing in the chosen field and be eligible for registration with the NMC in one of the four fields of nursing practice.

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The Open University has the experience and support in place to help apprentices succeed and make a positive impact on practice.

In addition to designated account management support, the OU will deploy expert staff to support your organisation and your apprentices. They will work collaboratively with the relevant roles in your organisation:

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