Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)

This Course at a Glance

• Change your career and become a Nurse
• Gain the equivalent of three A Levels
• A popular way to meet university entry requirements
• Flexible learning; study when it suits, at your pace
• Complete over two years or less
• Various payment methods are available
• 100% online learning
• No exams

About Your Diploma

If you’ve always thought about becoming a Nurse but life simply got in the way, or nursing has recently appealed to you as a career option, but you don’t have the desired qualifications, you can still make this career switch.

Perfect Preparation for a Nursing Degree

Traditionally, universities were quite strict on what they accepted as adequate qualifications to meet the entry requirements of their nursing degrees. This would limit many would-be students from pursuing higher education to reach their career goals, like becoming a Registered Nurse.

Now, many more qualifications are accepted as adequate preparation for learners going into higher-level study. So, if you don’t have GCSEs or A Levels, all is not lost. Many universities now welcome students who have other qualifications like BTEC Nationals, Functional Skills or Access to Higher Education Diplomas.

An Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is a flexible online nursing diploma UK learners can study that allows you to:

• Study from home or wherever suits
• Study at your own pace

Its vocation-focused modules provide you with knowledge and skills so specific to nursing that it can be used as the equivalent of 3 A-Levels.

Learn Everything You Need to Become a Nurse

Throughout our Nurse course, UK learners will study a range of topics, including:

• Healthcare Communication – Discover the importance of confidentiality and the value of good communication skills within the health service
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings – Understand the key legislation and regulations related to EDI healthcare
• Professional Behaviours  – Learn about the roles and responsibilities of working within the health service, as well as the multidisciplinary approach to healthcare

You will also complete modules that focus on giving you the study skills for university, which is perfect for those who have been out of education for some time. For more information on what you’ll explore in our Nurse course, UK learners can see the ‘Modules’ tab.

Getting Started

learndirect is a leading UK distance learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

No Classrooms, No Timetables

Studied completely online, the flexibility of this course enables you to work towards your nursing future outside of your current commitments. So, no matter if it’s a full-time job or childcare, you can complete your nursing course around them.

You will have up to two years to complete your Access to Higher Education Diploma. Though, the freedom to move through the course at your pace sees most of our students complete them within 9-12 months.

Stay On Top Of Your Learning

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Module 3: Healthcare Communication

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the main methods of communication
• Understand the barriers to communication
• Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

Module 4: Professional Behaviours: Nursing and Health Professionals

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the characteristics required to be a health professional making reference to the relevant professional and regulatory body's and the Professional Standards Authority standards for registration in relation to, patient-centred care and concepts of professionalism as they apply to conduct, performance and ethics of those on the relevant professional and regulatory body's register
• Understand effective communication and teamworking skills
• Know how to manage risk and deal effectively with problems
• Reflect on own personal and professional practice and develop a personal and professional development plan

Module 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI in healthcare
• Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings

Module 6: Nutrition and Digestion

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the concept of a balanced diet
• Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system

Module 7: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
• Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
• Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care

Module 8: Numeracy in a Health Context

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand and use the four rules of number including in relation to units of measure
• Understand and use decimals, fractions and percentages, including in relation to units of measure
• Know how to use a calculator to solve problems and use appropriate tools to check their answers

Module 9: Perspectives in Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand different psychological perspectives
• Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
• Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Module 10: Endocrine System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
• Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Understand the action of hormones

Module 11: Poverty in Contemporary Britain

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand definitions of poverty
• Understand the historical context of poverty in Britain
• Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
• Understand theoretical explanations of poverty
• Understand explanations about why certain social groups are more likely to experience poverty
• Understand recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain

Module 12: Human Musculoskeletal System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
• Know how muscles contract
• Understand the development of bone

Module 13: Mental Health and Coping Strategies

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how society determines and responds to a range of behaviours experienced by individuals suffering from mental ill health
• Understand the influence of genetic, neurochemical and environmental factors in relation to mental health disorder
• Understand and evaluate different strategies for therapy and care of mental health disorders
• Understand the major sources and effects of psychological stress
• Understand a variety of coping strategies

Module 14: Infection and Immunity

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
• Understand how the human body responds to infection
• Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
• Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
• Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

Module 15: Dementia

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the causes and prevalence of dementia
• Understand the diagnosis of dementia
• Understand treatment and care of dementia patients

Module 16: The Cause and Control of Disease

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand categories and causes of human disease
• Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
• Understand measures for disease prevention

Module 17: Health Promotion

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand current models of health promotion
• Understand the role of current initiatives in promoting good health
• Understand the role of current agencies or organisations that contribute to improving public health

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, case study analysis, illustrated report, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), developing promotional activity, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The assessment process of our nursing course consists of the following:

Assignments

The assignments for this course aim to prepare you for your next step in higher education, while providing the number of credits necessary to achieve your qualification.

At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment which your tutor will then mark and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you to progress.

Credits

To successfully achieve this Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need 60 credits in total. The credits are split into the following two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of this nursing diploma, UK learners will also receive help as well as guidance with their university application and the research they need to do to get the most out of their diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing), (QAA aim code: 40014198), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) and a subsequent nursing degree, you will open yourself up to an array of career prospects.

With Nurses being required to facilitate treatments in almost every health service, there is almost no end to the type of Nurse you can become. If you’re passionate about caring for children, working with the elderly, or helping people requiring emergency care, you can find a specialism to suit your interest.

Just some of the many nursing roles you can pursue are:

• Paediatric Nurse
• Neonatal Nurse
• Adult Nurse
• Geriatric Nurse
• Nursing Home Nurse
• Community Nurse
• Theatre Nurse
• ICU Nurse
• Critical Care Nurse
• Cardiology Nurse
• Respiratory Nurse
• Mental Health Nurse
• Special Educational Needs Disability Nurse

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once qualified and registered as a Nurse, you will need to maintain your registration through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This is any form of training and education that adds directly to your skillset as a Nurse but falls outside of your mandatory and statutory training.

Gaining CPD and taking further training within healthcare facilities can also help you move into your desired specialism. Aligning yourself with the type of nursing work that means the most to you.

What types of courses for nursing CPD exists?

You could study courses like:

• Understanding Mental Health
• Clinical Nutrition
• Grief and Bereavement Counselling 
• Eating Disorders
• Drug, Solvent and Alcohol Misuse Counselling 
• Caring for Older People
• Caring for People with Learning Disabilities 
• Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
• End of Life Care

There will also be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and move into direct health management roles like:

• Ward Manager
• Team Leader
• Matron
• Director of Nursing

Should you choose to complete a postgraduate qualification, you could assume the direct health role of an advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Consultant. If it appeals to you, you could also become a Teacher of future Nurses or go into research.

Find out more about nursing courses and careers in our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions