During National Apprenticeship Week, student from Edmonton, North London, reveals how a degree apprenticeship has given her in-demand nursing skills
Despina Kalozoes has seen her confidence and skills develop thanks to a Nursing Associate degree apprenticeship course at Middlesex University.
Despina, who is 23 and lives in Edmonton in North London, spoke how she feels the course has opened doors for her into NHS roles during National Apprenticeship Week 10-16 February.
She applied for the course after it was advertised at an Open Day at North Middlesex Hospital where she worked as a healthcare assistant as she wanted to progress her career in healthcare.
While based at North Middlesex Hospital, Despina has done a range of placements in clinical settings including adult wards, paediatrics, adult mental health, patients with learning disabilities, and care of the elderly. Despina is based on a Care of the Elderly Ward and recently had a placement in paediatrics at the Royal Free Hospital.
She said: “As well as the placements, there are theory and skills sessions at the fantastic simulation facilities at West Stand. You get a taste of different kinds of medical disciplines and ward settings, and it’s a brilliant opportunity to develop and advance your career. At the end of the course, you receive Nursing and Midwifery Council registration and it is a great route into nursing.
“Other people on my course are at different stages of their lives, some younger, some older with caring responsibilities; it is so beneficial for them to have financial security while studying. Without degree apprenticeships, I think fewer people would go into nursing which is already experiencing shortages in the NHS.”
Paediatric nursing is a potential field that Despina would like to explore in future following her placement on a children’s ward at the Royal Free Hospital.
She added: “This was a fantastic step for me in terms of career progression. It has been a really positive experience and I am a different person now with so much confidence in my abilities and future career ambitions.”
Professor Darryll Bravenboer, Director of Apprenticeships and Professor of Higher Education and Skills at Middlesex University, said: “Middlesex University has an excellent track record in delivering degree apprenticeships. Our courses give students the confidence, knowledge and skills to achieve rewarding careers in the NHS, policing, environmental health, teaching, social work, and digital design, while helping employers develop a future-ready workforce.
“The University looks forward to continuing and growing this provision, with over £3.5 million funding awarded last October by the Office for Students to support the development and expansion of our degree apprenticeships in healthcare and teaching.
“The apprenticeships courses we provide are invaluable in supporting social mobility and plugging severe skills shortages in the public sector. In addition, we know that employers are prioritising digital skills and our Digital Degree Apprenticeships are designed to meet this need.”
