Our Student Nursing Associate (SNA) programme is an incredibly popular apprenticeship giving you a clear progression route from Healthcare Support Worker in to Nursing. On completion of the apprenticeship you'll gain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and secure a permanent position in the Trust as a qualified Nursing Associate (NA).
But what does the journey to qualified NA look like?
The course itself covers all clinical skills you'll need to know, as well as growing your confidence and stepping into that qualified role. To give you a good idea of what the journey looks like day to day, one of our current apprentices has shared a week in the life with us. Their story captures the balance between the practical and theoretical sides of the apprenticeship, as well as achieving the important work-life-study balance as a busy family woman!
Read on to discover her story.
Name: Donna
Age: 33
Role: Student Nursing Associate
A little bit about me: I'm a wife and also a mum to two beautiful children. I love socialising with my friends and going on caravan holidays with the family.
My story:
In September 2025 I began my SNA journey! This is something I have always wanted to do and felt now is the right time to achieve it, even with two young children. Not all students have to go straight from college to university! You can do this anytime!
A typical SNA week will be two shifts working clinically (22.5 hours), within my base area and two university days (15 hours) to build on the theoretical knowledge and skills. During my clinical shifts I spend time with my practice supervisor and assessor to focus on the practicalities of the SNA role. For example, giving person centred care at a higher level, medication administration and learning the process to monitoring care in a timely manner. This allows me to achieve professional values and proficiencies set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
Spoke placements are arranged twice per year, so these clinical shifts will be in a new area to give exposure to the four fields of nursing. Placements are an opportunity to learn new skills, build on our knowledge and put all the learning into practice under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
I am studying with Keele University. However, they have secured a classroom at Telford College so, students do not have to commute to Stoke twice a week and can access public transport if they do not drive to allow them to study closer to home!
The university days can be a mixture of in situ learning, Microsoft Teams online sessions and guided studying. This is to allow students to get a good mixture of learning in groups as well as independently. I have an academic mentor to support with my studies and assessments throughout the course. The blessing with guided study and independent learning is, this can be flexible around the family and working life.
Over six months into the apprenticeship I am feeling more confident in the care I provide to patients, I am learning everyday and achieving the goals set with the support of fellow students, colleagues, lecturers and the pre-registration nursing team! I have found this to be the best route to achieve my end goal of becoming a Registered Nurse.
The advert is open until 22nd April, so if you'd like to be considered for the September 2026 cohort please apply today!
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