Robert Gordon University Tests of Change
Driving sustainable change for nurses and midwives across Scotland.
Explore Robert Gordon University's Tests of Change - innovative projects designed to trial new approaches in nursing and midwifery education and workforce development.
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This is Your Future
2027 / 2028 Tests of Change
Earn as You Learn for School Leavers
This test of change recognises the aim to recruit and retain nursing students, and in particular school leavers, in the health and social care sector. It focuses on the opportunity to create clearer progression pathways from Foundation Apprenticeships (FA) into professional healthcare roles and the to build upon the success and impact of the FA Social Services and Healthcare programme already being delivered. There is recognition that this approach could help to address workforce shortages by enabling students to earn while they learn, thereby reducing financial barriers to entry to pre-registration nursing programmes.
Photo Credit: Image source RGU website.
This test will focus on collaborative engagement with practice partners to ensure employment as a Band 2 HCSW is in place. Study time will be agreed, and this will in enable in-person delivery of skills combined with online delivery of theory. Practice learning will take place in-line with NMC requirements and will be separate from the HCSW role and employment. The blended approach for theory and in-person skills development is viewed as optimal for this model and it is anticipated that it will help to increase recruitment of school leavers into nursing through a supported, financially viable pathway. The aim will also be to improve retention by offering employment security and practical experience from the outset, as well as developing a motivated and skilled workforce with strong ties to the local health system.
Flexible Online Delivery
Student recruitment to pre-registration nursing education has been increasingly challenging, and nationally there is recognition of the need to consider alternative pathways and models of both recruitment and delivery. The need to widen access to nursing education for individuals in remote and rural areas who cannot commute or relocate is particularly important and there is a growing demand for more flexible learning models that accommodate students who wish to remain in their own communities to continue to work while studying.
This test of change focuses on the development of a flexible online delivery model for pre-registration adult and mental health nursing education. Theoretical content will be delivered online, with in-person skills development through attendance either on-campus at Robert Gordon University (RGU) or at a satellite site (delivered by RGU staff). Practice learning will be arranged in the students’ home locations to ensure travel is limited to only that required for specialist skills attainment.
Photo Credit: Image source RGU website.
This approach is designed to widen access for students in remote and rural areas, reducing costs for travel and also reducing the need to relocate, whilst increasing recruitment to both adult and mental health nursing programmes. Attracting students from remote and rural populations will also help to widen access to education from these populations more generally and will contribute more globally to the local economy and healthcare system.
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