Nursing Associate Apprenticeship The Perfect Progression for Senior Carer Liam
Sanford House Senior Carer, Liam, has been part of the Caring Homes team since 2014. He discovered the care industry through work experience from school and although he had previously considered joining the RAF, he soon realised that a career in care would suit him perfectly.
Promotion to Senior Carer Inspires Ambition to Progress
Liam joined Cotman House Care Home in Felixstowe as a carer, gaining promotion to senior carer and thriving over the next few years as part of the close-knit team. After a brief move away from the area where he took on agency care work, Liam returned in 2023 and was contacted by Caring Homes Regional Manager, Violet Kotu, who offered him a role at Sanford House Nursing Home as a senior carer.
Once he was back in the Caring Homes fold, Liam began to research the best ways of progressing into nursing and this coincided with Head of People, Cat Martin, exploring the full range of apprenticeships for Caring Homes. Once the Nursing Associate qualification was confirmed as an option, Liam signed up and starts the 2-year course this month.
Varied Learning Opportunities on the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship
This is a Level 5 apprenticeship and successful completion will see Liam awarded a Foundation Science Degree, as well as being able to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Nursing Associate.
The course involves work-based learning, clinical placements and ‘off the job’ university study days - 1 day per week for the first 10-12 weeks. This initial period of study is followed by a Reading Week in May, then from June, the first of three 6 week placements where Liam will spend around 30 hours a week gaining clinical experience in a variety of different environments, with options including hospitals, care homes and GPs’ surgeries. Liam also expressed an interest in working with the community matron who visits Sanford to liaise with the nursing team.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to Liam said, “I’m a bit of a geek – I love learning new skills and developing and as I’ve worked in care for 14 years, I’m keen to progress. I like being able to make changes that lead to improvements on a larger scale in a care setting and thanks to Caring Homes, I already have my Level 5 qualification in Health and Social Care Management.”
Nursing Qualification a Step Towards Long-Term Goal
The Nursing Associate qualification would take Liam closer to getting the full RGN (Registered General Nurse) qualification if he committed to further study to top up his associate level. It would also be another step towards his long-term goal to be a Residential Care Home manager, and in time, a Regional Manager.
Reflecting on the influences on his career so far Liam said, “The Cotman House team put me on the path to progression and helped me become a senior carer, which is when I knew I wanted to learn and achieve more in care. Since being at Sanford House, the nurses here have been so encouraging, almost to the point of insisting that I work towards being a nurse! I think it was inevitable and I’m excited to finally be taking the first step with the Nursing Associate apprenticeship”.
