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.

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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.

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Real learner stories: Growing nursing careers on the Isle of Wight

The partnership between the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and The Open University has opened nursing careers to people who may previously have been unable to access higher education. Through flexible apprenticeships, learners can stay within their communities, continue earning while they study, and gain experience across a wide range of healthcare settings.

These learner stories demonstrate how local training is helping the Trust develop a sustainable nursing workforce while creating life-changing opportunities for local people.

Rachel: Achieving a lifelong ambition close to home

  • Grew up on the Isle of Wight and always wanted to work for the NHS.
  • Previously faced limited opportunities to pursue nursing without leaving the island.
  • Completed the Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship while remaining in her local community.
  • Valued the flexibility, practical learning and support provided through The Open University's model.
  • Passionate about giving back to the community where she grew up.

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, Isle of Wight NHS Trust

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Kerry: Building a nursing career through flexible apprenticeships

  • Member of the Trust's first apprenticeship cohort.
  • Qualified as a Nursing Associate through the programme.
  • Completed placements across a wide range of services including Covid wards, coronary care, theatres, mental health and learning disability teams.
  • Benefited from being able to learn and earn while remaining close to home.
  • Celebrated qualification alongside fellow apprentices as part of the Trust's growing nursing workforce.

Within my training, I worked on the Covid ward for the first part of Covid. Then coronary care unit theatres, mental health and learning disability teams, so it's a really wide variety of placements that you can secure on the island.

Kerry Black,
Nursing Associate, Isle of Wight NHS Trust

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Conclusion: Expanding opportunities and strengthening the local workforce

The partnership between the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and The Open University has transformed access to nursing careers on the island. By offering flexible apprenticeship routes, the Trust has created opportunities for local people who may otherwise have faced significant barriers to higher education and professional qualification.

Since launching the programme, 76 apprentices have enrolled on Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeships and Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeships. Many have successfully completed their studies and progressed into qualified NMC registrant roles, helping the Trust address staffing challenges while improving healthcare provision for local residents.

The programme has also broadened participation in nursing, attracted new recruits to the island and enabled learners to gain experience across the Trust's unique range of acute, community, mental health and ambulance services. As the programme continues to grow, it provides a sustainable model for developing skilled healthcare professionals from within local communities.

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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