Nursing careers

Currently nursing degrees can be achieved over three-years (full time) or a four-year part-time programme in many universities across the UK. This can be either self-funding or apprenticeship. Information can be found on https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/nursing/how-become-nurse

Programmes are available in adult, child, mental health and learning disabilities disciplines. It involves 50% theory in the university and 50% practice in placements in many health care settings. Some universities allow students to specialise in primary care nursing in general practice in their third year. A list of NMC approved nursing programmes across the UK can be found here.

What training opportunities exist?

There is now an exciting 12-month totally online Preceptorship Programme developed between BSW and Gloucestershire. This programme is running twice a year with both clinical and non-clinical skills to prepare those newly qualified or new to primary care. The Programme can also offer 20 credits at level 6/7 as accredited by The University of the West of England. The Programme was awarded a National Gold Award in 2023.

Further information can be accessed through Tina Fear: tina.fear@nhs.net

General practice nursing

What does general practice nursing (GPN) involve?

General practice nursing (primary care nursing) is based in surgeries, medical centres and health centres and demands different skills and competencies in addition to those needed in acute hospital settings.

What benefits does this role bring to primary care?

The main benefit to working as a GPN in primary care is the diversity and clinical expertise this exciting role brings to primary care. Roles range from treatment room nursing to advanced practitioner and nurse partner. This provides expert nursing knowledge, skills and experience in both health and illness for the practice population.

What is the career pathway?

Some registered nurses work in primary care from qualification and others move across from secondary care. Either route involves opportunities to gain new competencies and skills to enable effective working as a GPN.

There is a distinct career pathway for those wishing to progress: see the career pathway diagram. This exciting career pathway offers opportunities to step on and off according to your needs and those of the practice.

What training opportunities exist?

Some training takes place within the practice. However there is a national induction programme to support new GPNs in post, available here.

There is now an exciting 12 month Preceptorship Programme developed between BSW and Gloucestershire. This is a 12 month Programme (running twice a year) with both clinical and non-clinical skills to prepare those newly qualified or new to primary care. Further information can be accessed through Tina Fear: tina.fear@nhs.net

Some universities offer specific courses for GPNs, in our region that includes the University of the West of England and Bournemouth University. Network4Practice and Wessex LMC also provide training  and development for nursing working in general practice.

See the information at the bottom of this section in relation to CPD funding opportunities.

Where can I find additional resources/best practice guidance?

Where can I find out more?

For local information please send an email via our contact us page and we’ll aim to come back to you as soon as possible.

Nursing Associate

This is a two year higher education programme for those not wishing to train directly to registered nurse level. The programme may be appropriate for a health care assistant currently working in general practice wishing to progress. It involves ​675 hours across two placements other than your own work base, and 95% of this programme is funded from a Government levy.

What does the role involve?

‘Nursing associates work with people of all ages and in a variety of settings in health and social care. The role contributes to the core work of nursing, freeing up registered nurses to focus on more complex clinical care.’ (NMC 2018)

What benefit does this role bring to primary care?

Nursing associates expand the capacity of the nursing team in general practice. Many roles previously undertaken by GPs are being taken on by GPNs, and the nursing associate can support registered nurses in their expanding role.

What is the career pathway?

Following successful completion of the programme, nursing associates are now registered with the NMC. It is now possible for a qualified nurse associate to progress to a nursing programme to become a registered nurse after completion of an 18-month bridging course.

What training opportunities exist?

Nursing associate programmes are apprenticeships and are delivered by an NMC-approved approved education institution (AEI) for pre-registration nursing.

See the information at the bottom of this section in relation to CPD funding opportunities.

Where can I find additional resources/best practice guidance?

Where can I find out more?

 

Associate Practitioner

What does the role involve?

The assistant practitioner completes a two year level 5 apprenticeship. The role in general practice involves working within competencies within the nursing team.

The assistant practitioner competently delivers health and social care to and for people; has a required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional healthcare assistant or support worker, and is able to deliver elements of health and social care and undertake clinical work in domains that were previously the remit of registered professionals.’ (Skills for Health 2011)

What benefit does this role bring to primary care?

Assistant practitioners work beyond the remit of HCAs. They can support registered nurses in their expanding role.

What is the career pathway?

On completion of the apprenticeship, assistant practitioners can progress to a shortened pre-registration programme to become a registered nurse.

What training opportunities exist?

Continuous professional development is available to assistant practitioners both within general practice and the NHS.

Where can I find out more?

  • Health Education England (2017)Health Careers: Assistant Practitioner
  • Kessler I & Nath V. (2017) Report on a survey of assistant practitioners, London Kings College

Funding for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Investment in CPD for Registered Nurses and Nurse Associates for 2020-2023 was initially announced in the NHS Long Term Plan. The funding is held by the Training Hub on your behalf.

An amount of money roughly equivalent to £1000 per eligible staff member working in each practice (based on the 2019 staffing levels) has been allocated to be spent over that period on CPD requirements. The funding cannot be used for backfill or administrative costs.

Ideally you will already have identified your CPD needs through an annual appraisal process with your line manager. We have asked practices to give the Training Hub an idea of your CPD needs so we can ensure that suitable training is commissioned/available to meet your needs and also so we can use the CPD funding appropriately and fairly.

Contact the Training Hub on bswccg.traininghub@nhs.net if you have any questions

Career Pathway diagram:

Jacqui Simmonds, Legacy Nurse

Jacqui has been a registered nurse for over 40 years of which 20 years has been spent in general practice. She is a Nurse Practitioner, now specialising in respiratory care and staff development. Jacqui has been a member of the Core Project Team working with the AHSN and colleagues to improve asthma diagnosis and management following the deployment of Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing across our BSW region. As a GPN Fellow last year and as part of the Clinical Supervision Project, she utilised clinical supervision to improve networking and support for respiratory nurses across PCNs, particularly around the new diagnostics and pathway.

In her continued work as a GPN Fellow, Jacqui is the first Legacy Nurse across BSW and is delighted to be supporting our Preceptees new to General Practice and their Preceptors over the course of the BSW Preceptorship Programme.

Skip to content