Student Nursing Associate Apprentice (Formerly TNA) in Preston

A Vacancy at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Student Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Programme. Are you looking to start an exciting and rewarding career as a Nursing Associate and have a passion for delivering high-quality care within an Inpatient Mental Health service? We are running our 19th cohort of Student Nursing Associate Apprentices, working in partnership with The University of Lancashire (ULAN) / The University of Cumbria.

These posts are apprenticeship posts commencing on the September 2026 cohort, which will see you develop to a NMC registered Nursing Associate, through completing a 2-year foundation degree training programme. The course is fully funded. Internal candidates will be on a 2 year Trust Secondment contract. External Candidates will be a 2 year fixed term contract.

We are offering posts in the below Mental Health inpatient services within LSCFT, therefore please indicate in your supporting information your preference:

• 2 posts – Based at Woodview Mental Health Inpatient Wards, Whalley
• 2 posts – Based in Chorley and South Ribble Hospital Mental Health Inpatient Units

As a student you will be based within clinical practice for the duration of the programme and will have study leave to attend university. You will rotate through different services within your speciality/service area (where applicable) and undertake block placements outside of your normal place of work, to gain a breadth of experience and skills. Some travel is required, so you must have the ability to travel to meet the needs of the role across the trust footprint and when on placement. You could be expected to travel up to 90 minutes each way to placement and work shifts and weekends.

You will need to demonstrate an understanding of mental health healthcare and the role of a Nursing Associate and show evidence of being an effective communicator with the people you care for, their families and carers, as well as your colleagues and superiors. You will need to be prepared to work hard and undertake study in your own time, while on the programme, learning the fundamentals of exceptional care and developing your depth of knowledge around important aspects of both physical and mental health. In addition you will be taught many clinical skills which will be required when you become a registered.

In order to apply for the course you will need to have:

• Maths and English (See acceptable qualifications below)
• 48 UCAS Points
• A minimum of 12 months health care experience

Please be advised if you are a ‘Non‑UK National’ applicant you must meet the eligibility criteria and fulfil the settlement requirements of the apprenticeship course funding. Your settlement status will need to be verified as eligible for funding by the relevant apprenticeship provider for you to formally enrol on the course.

The training provider will require evidence of:

• Being a full-time ordinary resident in the UK for 3 consecutive years or more prior to the course start date (unless otherwise exempt from this rule)
• Residency to live and work in the UK for at least 1 year from the apprenticeship start date and must cover the entire course duration including the EPA period

We advise that you check the UK Government Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria for more details on your visa’s eligibility to undertake an apprenticeship course prior to applying. Please be advised that Sponsorship cannot be offered for any apprenticeship roles. We will use Visa and work history information provided on the application to determine a candidate’s eligibility for the funding. Failure to provide the correct information is the responsibility of the candidate. Residency for the purposes of education does not qualify.

The entry criteria for the course are the following qualifications:

• Maths & English at: GCSE English and Maths (grade C or 4 and above) (English Literature is not accepted by the University of Cumbria)
• Level 2 Functional skills Maths
• Level 2 Functional skills English
• Key Skills Level 2 application of number or numeracy (Pass)
• Key Skills Level 2 Communication (Pass)
• CSE (Grade 1) Maths
• CSE (Grade 1) English
• Level 2 certificates (Grade C or 4 and above)
• Core maths level 3 (Grade E or above)
• Pre U Certificate (P3 or above)
• Freestanding Mathematics Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (Grade C).

If you do not have maths and English, you will either not be shortlisted and/or you will not be offered an interview. Evidence of all qualifications will be requested and validated, prior to receiving an interview slot.

48 UCAS Points: Have 48 UCAS points such as: A-Levels, Diploma, Foundation degree/ Degree Level 4, NVQ, BTEC (Dependent on the level). If you do not have the above our Universities will accept the following qualifications with 12 months health care experience:

• NVQ Level 3 12 months care experience
• NVQ Level 2 12 months care experience (UCLAN only)
• Care Certificate 12 months care experience (UCLAN only)

You must also clearly put Maths, English and other qualifications, with your type/level of qualification, grade and date achieved, on your application form in order to be shortlisted. All current apprenticeships must be completed in full, including your end point assessment, to enrol onto this Student Nursing Associate apprenticeship.

For internal candidates you will need to have agreement from your manager to apply for this post, which will be verified if successful. As you will be on a Trust secondment contract, in the event of needing to withdraw from the programme. On completion of the course you will be placed into a permanent band 4 Nursing Associate role within the Trust, however this may not be in your current workplace. During training you will be paid a Band 3 and there will be an expectation to work 37.5 hours, covering the shift pattern of the team you are recruited to. If successful in securing a place on the course you will NOT be eligible for student finance.