Queen Margaret University Tests of Change
Driving sustainable change for nurses and midwives across Scotland.
Explore Queen Margaret University's Tests of Change - innovative projects designed to trial new approaches in nursing and midwifery education and workforce development.
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Head, Heart and Hand
2026 / 2027 Tests of Change
Widening Access to Enable Professional Development Award Holders to Enter Pre-Registration Nursing
There are significant ongoing nursing workforce challenges, and attraction to nursing as a career challenges. Recommendations from the Nursing and Midwifery Taskforce (2025) emphasise the need for innovative delivery models to expand pathways into nursing education. In collaboration with college partners and NHS partners, we are developing an earn as you learn (EAYL) BSc flexible nursing programme for healthcare support workers (HCSW) holding the Professional Development Award (PDA) Level 8 in Acute and Community Care. This will diversify current widening participation routes and offer the Band 3-4 workforce clear, streamlined opportunities to transition into nursing degree programmes, which will in turn contribute to registered nursing workforce requirements.
Pathways for entry into year 1/stage 1 and direct entry into year 2/stage 2 will be developed.
Photo Credit: Image source Queen Margaret University (QMU) website.
PDAs have been typically designed for individuals already in a healthcare career who wish to upskill, rather than as qualifications supporting direct entry into degree-level study. Many learners enrolled on the PDA programme aspire to become Registered Nurses, however, formal pathways from PDA to degree-level nursing programmes are sparse. Additionally, many Band 4 support workers aspire to become registered nurses therefore the development of PDA to degree pathways can also offer previous PDA graduates continuing to work as Band 4 HCSWs a more streamlined and affordable route. This test of change aims to support the development of an alternative widening participation articulation route into nursing in a bid to enhance recruitment and retention of learners and support the ongoing nursing workforce challenges.
Explore the Taskforce Website
