Developing a novel programme for transition to nursing and graduate study at Middlesex University London using accreditation of prior learning

Poster title: Developing a novel programme for Transition to Nursing and Graduate Study at Middlesex University London using accreditation of prior learning. Authors: Sheila Sobrany, Kevin Corbett, Marion Taylor. Institution: Department of Adult, Child and Midwifery School of Health and Education Middlesex University London. Abstract: There are reportedly many overseas qualified nurses working as Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) who, for a number of different reasons, have been unable to register with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC). The 26-week Transition to Nursing and Graduate Study Programme at Middlesex University London in 2015 enabled 22 students to enter the final year of the BSc (Hons) Nursing programme after successfully reaching NMC progression point 2. This newly validated programme combines accreditation of prior learning (APL) with traditionally assessed theory and practice placements. Whilst our novel programme cannot offer a universal panacea to the current nursing workforce problems, it does aim to build on local potential in order to help ameliorate the situation so offering one creative solution to the current staffing crisis. It does this by helping the NHS to capitalise on its human resources by upskilling an existing HCA workforce in partnership with the local NHS Trusts and funded by Health Education North Central and East London (HENCEL), which is responsible for ensuring high quality professional education is provided across the north central London area. We will describe the educational processes whereby these students have demonstrably enhanced their existing knowledge, skills, attitudes and academic standards by successfully attaining NMC progression point 2. We will also critically evaluate the curriculum design and the teaching and learning processes deployed, as well as the difficulties, and the requisite development areas, arising from this new programme. For nurse educators organising and delivering this new programme, a number of challenges and lessons have been learnt which are associated with meeting the learning needs of these students and designing such a programme so as to meet the requirements of both the NMC and the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)