Nursing Associate FdSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  This nursing associate foundation course has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG3 of Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG5 Gender Equality.

  Our aim is to help you to develop into a safe and effective Nursing Associate who is caring and compassionate and able to deliver high quality care to people of all ages and in a range of settings.

  The FDSC Nursing Associate degree is a 50/50 split of theory and practice to enable you to develop your knowledge and apply this in clinical practice. You will have a range of practice placements allowing you to develop your competence in caring for people of different ages and in different settings.

  By studying FdSc Nursing Associates you will:

  • Learn to work in teams
  • Develop your professional self
  • Develop excellence in caring for people
  • Work in partnership with other members of the healthcare team
  • Develop competence in evidence-based care.

  The Foundation Associate in Nursing degree also runs as an employer-sponsored apprenticeship. You can find more details about our nurse associate apprenticeship on our Apprenticeships webpage.

  List of modules:

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Discovering My Identity as a Nursing Associate (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1032

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop nursing associate students self awareness, personal and professional resilience and professional identity within nursing. An understanding of how health science, social and political knowledge, behaviour, vocabulary and skills form their nursing identity. Additionally the module will develop communication skills and understanding of how constructive feedback can be used to evaluate self and effect positive change.
    • Professionalism and Public Protection for Nursing Associates (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1033

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide nursing associate students with underpinning theoretical knowledge. Students will consider the scientific, legal, professional and personal context of nursing in order to participate in practice safely, ethically and lawfully within a range of clinical practice settings.
    • Exploring the Evidence Base for Nursing Associates (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to equip nursing associate students with the theoretical foundation skills and evidenced based knowledge to fully participate in person-centred decision making, influence positive lifestyle choices and beginning the students? own professional development within the context of nursing.
    • Developing Competence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimisation of Medicines for Nursing Associates
      Module code: NPR1035

      Status: Compulsory
    • Foundations of Practice for Nursing Associates (60 Credits)
      Module code: NPR1036P

      Status: Compulsory
      This is a work-based module which enables students to develop the appropriate attitudes, behaviours, values and skills and underpinning knowledge to work competently within health and social care as student Nursing Associates. The module is based on requirements from the NMC Proficiencies for Nursing Associates (2018).
  • Stage 2
    • Developing My Nursing Associate Identity Towards Becoming a Registrant (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2075

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will further develop nursing associate students communication skills, resilience, and professional identity. Students will respond to constructive feedback through reflection to effect positive change and develop self awareness. Student?s will apply their knowledge of health science, social and political knowledge and behaviour enabling them to problem solve.
    • Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in Nursing (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2076

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop nursing associate students theoretical knowledge, advancing their understanding and application of science, the law and professionalism. This will enable them to initiate safe practice that is ethical and lawful within a range of clinical practice settings.
    • Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Nursing Associate Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2077

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to further develop nursing associate students professional development, theory, skills and evidenced based knowledge to initiate person centred care. This will be used to influence positive lifestyle choices, improve health outcomes and understand the appropriateness of quality of care to effect service improvement.
    • Demonstrating Competence in the Safe, Effective Administration and Optimisation of Medicines for Nursing Associates
      Module code: NPR2078

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop nursing associate students knowledge and understanding of pharmacology and the principles of safe, effective adminstration and optimisation of medicines. Students will demonstrate proficiency and accuracy when calculating dosages of prescribed medicines in clinical practice, developing understanding of a health numeracy assessment. This will enable students to safely initiate and undertake all aspects of medications management in the clinical with confidence and competence.
    • Advanced Work Based Learning for Nursing Associates (60 Credits)
      Module code: NPR2079P

      Status: Compulsory
      This is a work-based module which enables students to develop the appropriate attitudes, behaviours, values and skills and underpinning knowledge to work competently within health and social care as student Nursing Associates. The module is based on requirements from the NMC Proficiencies for Nursing Associates (2018).

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full time associate in nursing foundation degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your nursing associate course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught on this Nursing Associate course?

  You will be taught by high quality and experienced lecturers who will share their knowledge and passion of nursing with you.  They will also enable you to develop your study skills.  You will have a range of learning activities that will vary from face to face sessions, tutorials, online blended learning, simulation and virtual reality in our state of the art simulation suit and placement learning. You will also be able to access our wellbeing activities that will range from study skills, sports and mindfulness sessions.

  How will I be assessed?

  Assessment on this foundation nurse associate degree is by a variety of methods including written assignments, presentations, scenario assessments and assessment in clinical practice.

  What is our recruitment approach for this FDSC Nursing Associate degree?

  Values Based Recruitment is an approach with attracts and selects students on the basis that their individual values and behaviours align with the NHS constitution. The purpose of this is to ensure that the future and current workforce is selected with the right values and skills to support the delivery of excellent patient care.

  Through application and interview applicants are selected based on their ability to show they have the values of the 6Cs.

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