What are the qualifications referred to in the career framework?
National Vocational Qualifications
These can be accessed at level 2 or 3. As they are vocationally based, students need to be working as a healthcare assistant. They are usually provided by FE colleges or private providers (including PCTs). The course duration is usually 9-18 months part-time.
A Foundation degree
This is normally accessed as a 2 or 3 year part-time work-based learning programme at a university or FE college. It is equivalent to a university undergraduate diploma. Entrance requirements are usually NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
RN
The Registered Nurse qualification is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and involves 3 years full-time study (including clinical placements). It can be achieved at undergraduate diploma level or honours degree level.
Independent and supplementary Nurse Prescribing
This qualification requires 26 days university study and 12 days clinical learning and can only be accessed by registered nurses with a minimum of 2 years post-registration experience. Courses must be approved by the NMC.
Teaching or mentorship qualification
The NMC requires mentors (who facilitate learning and supervise or assess students) to have at least 12 months post registration experience, and to have undertaken a mentorship course that meets advisory standards within an NMC approved Higher Education Institution.
BSc (Hons)
Undertaking a first degree means that students will have learned to analyse literature and critique research. Most honours degrees are comprised of modules and will have some compulsory core modules including research critique within a programme.
Post graduate Diploma
This is masters level study so students will generally have completed a first degree or provide evidence through experiential work of academic capability. A PGDip can be a stop off point prior to undertaking a masters dissertation.
Masters degree
Masters level study incorporates application of research and the assimilation of new ideas. All masters degrees require a dissertation which is usually research based.