2nd Cohort of staff begin Cygnet’s Nursing Associate Apprenticeship

In April 2018 we annnounced a new partnership with the University of Wolverhampton to create a new generation of highly skilled future nurses. Following the success of the our initial intake of 21 staff members on our Nursing Associate Apprenticeship we are delighted to announce that a further 23 staff have now joined the programme.

Nursing Associates are an important part of Cygnet’s strategy to simultaneously provide greater development opportunities for our support workers, while also further improving the support they provide for the individuals in their care. Upon completion of the two-year Nursing Associate course, the programme participants will continue studying and working for a further two years to become Registered Nurses.

“I have always wanted to do my nurse training but have not been able to do this due to family commitments and the worry of getting into debt by going to University so this opportunity has meant that I can study and learn in my own workplace without that in the background. I hope to be offered a Nursing post in my own Hospital at the end of my course.”Kenedy, Cygnet Hospital Derby

The Bespoke Cygnet programme takes the form of an apprenticeship, where the participants work in our hospitals, for a minimum of 30 hours a week, and spend one day a week with the rest of the group studying and being supported by Lecturers from the University of Wolverhampton. The success of the programme was recognised when it made the final of the Personnel Today Awards 2018 in the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year category.

“I have worked for many years for Cygnet and I have always wanted to be a nurse but couldn’t see how this would be possible with a young family to support. I am now looking forward to seeing the rest of the Company whilst on placements and being able to move forward in my career.”Josh, Tabley House Nursing Home

Cygnet have a dedicated Apprentice Manager to support the team throughout the course, and are confident that the apprentices will go all the way. The programme builds on the current Preceptorship scheme that supports newly qualified nurses in their first year of practice, a scheme that Cygnet have had excellent feedback on.

The launch of the second cohort was supported by Mike McQuaid, Cygnet’s Chief Operating Officer, who shared his commitment to them in their forthcoming journey as apprenticeship nurses, together with his real hope for them being future leaders of our services.

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