Job summary
This apprenticeship opportunity is only available to applicants currently employed within Community Services.
Are you a qualified Nursing
Associate looking to further your nursing career?
Are you interested in applying
for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship accelerated 2 year course starting
in September 2026.
This opportunity is open to
internal applicants only.
You will need to show your
ability to study at academic level 6
You will also be invited to
complete an entrance interview with the university. Any formal apprenticeship
offer is contingent upon you being successfully offered a place at university.
Upon successful completion
of the Registered Nurse degree, you will be eligible to apply for a band 5 Nurse
position.
Main duties of the job
Apprenticeship accelerated course for Nursing
Associates to develop into a Registered Nurse.
The nursing apprenticeship
is a two-year degree offered at either the University of Brighton or Open
University. Both universities offer
the same degree, teaching and high standard of support, the difference is the
delivery mode.
The programme will
comprise of placements over two years, which may be with First Community and
other healthcare providers across Surrey and Sussex.
The above study time will
be provided during work hours and will be paid time.
You will need to be
prepared to invest your own time in studying in addition to the above to
reinforce learning and achieve the best outcomes.
You must be a Registered
Nursing Associate on the NMC register (level 5).
You will need to be able
to travel to the University of Brighton one day a week for the duration of the
course or be able to study remotely from home one day a week with the Open
University.
You will need to agree to
work with First Community for a minimum of 2 years post qualification.
About us
Do you want to be part of an organisation recognised as
one of the top community providers to work for in the country, delivering high
quality NHS care? (2025 Staff Survey results)
First Community is a staff owned
social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across
east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We
are looking for individuals who share our values First-rate care, First-rate people,
First-rate value.
First Community is a great place
to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its
full potential. We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality
training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work
life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, NHS pension,
flexible retirement options and various employee benefits.
Please talk to us before applying
or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your
needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs
where possible. Flexible working options may vary depending on the
role.
At First Community we welcome
applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+
candidates and candidates with disabilities. All applicants are
treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process,
including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.
Sustainability is integral to
First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a developmental role.
The trainee will work
towards the post of a Registered Nurse through successful completion of the
Nursing degree apprenticeship programme which includes the attainment of a
Batchelor of Nursing degree.
They will develop and maintain knowledge, skill
and competencies related to the role of Nurse Degree Apprentice within the
service which includes working in a range of care settings and delivery of
person-centred care.
When completing your
application please refer to both the Application CV Guide and full Job Description
& Person Specification - these can be found under supporting documents.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a developmental role.
The trainee will work
towards the post of a Registered Nurse through successful completion of the
Nursing degree apprenticeship programme which includes the attainment of a
Batchelor of Nursing degree.
They will develop and maintain knowledge, skill
and competencies related to the role of Nurse Degree Apprentice within the
service which includes working in a range of care settings and delivery of
person-centred care.
When completing your
application please refer to both the Application CV Guide and full Job Description
& Person Specification - these can be found under supporting documents.
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to study at Level 6 and commitment to completing the Degree programme
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
- Ability to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
- Demonstrates excellent written, verbal and IT skills
- Able to communicate with members of the public (patients, relatives/ carers) and all members of the multi -disciplinary team
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers, and colleagues
- Ability to support, supervise, assess, and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting
- Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff
- Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the programme
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the role of the Registered Nurse in context of the team and organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate care professional for expert help and advice
- Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
- Understands the requirements for NMC professional revalidation
- Understands the importance of promoting health and wellbeing
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates the organisations values
- Courteous, respectful, and helpful at all times
- Car driver with appropriate business use insurance for a community nursing-based role
- Flexible to meet the needs of the service
Experience
Essential
- Substantive experience of working as a Nurse Associate
- Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
- Previous experience of working within a health/ care setting
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register (Level 5)
- Nursing Associate foundation degree qualification
- GCSE Grade A-C in Maths and English or Functional skills level 2 Maths and English
Person Specification
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to study at Level 6 and commitment to completing the Degree programme
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
- Ability to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
- Demonstrates excellent written, verbal and IT skills
- Able to communicate with members of the public (patients, relatives/ carers) and all members of the multi -disciplinary team
- Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
- Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers, and colleagues
- Ability to support, supervise, assess, and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting
- Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff
- Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning
- Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the programme
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the role of the Registered Nurse in context of the team and organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
- Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate care professional for expert help and advice
- Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
- Understands the requirements for NMC professional revalidation
- Understands the importance of promoting health and wellbeing
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates the organisations values
- Courteous, respectful, and helpful at all times
- Car driver with appropriate business use insurance for a community nursing-based role
- Flexible to meet the needs of the service
Experience
Essential
- Substantive experience of working as a Nurse Associate
- Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team
- Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
- Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
- Previous experience of working within a health/ care setting
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register (Level 5)
- Nursing Associate foundation degree qualification
- GCSE Grade A-C in Maths and English or Functional skills level 2 Maths and English
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
