Achieving Full Retention of Nurse Degree Apprentices at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Discover how the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is bolstering its nursing team through the successful implementation of registered nurse degree apprenticeships.

Posted on 21 December 2020

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust has taken innovative steps in expanding its nursing workforce, notably through the adoption of nurse degree apprenticeships. Anita Esser, the head of wider healthcare teams education at the trust, shares their journey towards achieving an impressive retention rate for these apprenticeships.

The initiative began in 2017 when the trust presented to its board the proposal for a nurse degree apprenticeship program. Analyzing workforce data highlighted a need for a novel approach to sustain the influx of newly qualified nurses amidst a decline in direct-entry university enrollments. The trust faced challenges such as a 10-12% annual nurse turnover and a looming retirement wave among its nursing staff. With the trust expanding and services growing, a proactive strategy was essential.

Previously, the trust had seen success with the Health Education England-funded route from healthcare assistant to registered nurse via the Open University, noting a high retention rate among those who transitioned to registered nurse roles. The apprenticeship levy presented an opportunity to adopt the nurse degree apprenticeship (NDA) as a robust pathway for nurturing nursing talent.

Over the past three years, the program has welcomed three cohorts in October, totaling 91 apprentices, with an additional 11 joining this year through the assistant practitioner or nursing associate progression to NDA route. Remarkably, the program has experienced zero attrition, maintaining full retention of apprentices.

Several factors have contributed to this success, including a strong partnership with BPP University, which provides onsite practice educators to support learners. The trust’s education team and departmental education teams offer additional support, leveraging pre-existing relationships within the trust. Furthermore, the trust has facilitated backfill support for the apprentices’ four-year training, ensuring healthcare support workers are released for training without impacting clinical areas. This support includes covering 22.5 hours a week at band one for all staff on the program, with pay protection for those in higher band roles.

The apprenticeship recruitment process is thorough, requiring candidates to demonstrate their commitment and, if necessary, directing them to study skills sessions or Future Learn activities for additional preparation. The university ensures apprentices have the necessary study skills from the outset, with ongoing support throughout the program.

A key to the program’s success is recruiting from within; all NDAs are existing healthcare support workers, avoiding external recruitment. This approach has proven effective in providing career advancement opportunities for support workers, ensuring their satisfaction and enthusiasm for progressing within the healthcare field.

Learn more about the trust’s approach to nurse degree apprenticeships by watching Anita Esser’s presentation from our recent webinar on the subject.