Registered Nurse 

Degree 

Apprenticeships

Work. Learn. Earn

Registered Nurse 

Degree 

Apprenticeships

Work. Learn. Earn.

About the apprenticeship

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) will give you a chance to study for a qualification that will enable you to become a registered nurse. Both adult nursing and mental health nursing will be available.

What’s in it for you? 

The programme will give you the opportunity to study for a nursing degree and qualify as a nurse whilst being paid with no tuition fees to pay.

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About the apprenticeship

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) will give you a chance to study for a qualification that will enable you to become a registered nurse. Both adult nursing and mental health nursing will be available.

What’s in it for you? 

The programme will give you the opportunity to study for a nursing degree and qualify as a nurse whilst being paid with no tuition fees to pay.

“A life changing opportunity to be able to embark on a new career, become qualified, get hands on practical experience while earning an affordable income to support my family.”

Who can become an RNDA

The type of person we are looking for

  • Are you resilient and up for the challenge?

  • Are you looking for a fulfilling career and professional qualification?

  • Are you keen to go to university but are concerned about the costs?

  • Are you someone who has always dreamed of being a nurse and are thinking about a career change?

We are looking for people who care about people and their wellbeing and want to make a difference.

Who can become an RNDA

The type of person we are looking for

  • Are you resilient and up for the challenge?

  • Are you looking for a fulfilling career and professional qualification?

  • Are you keen to go to university but are concerned about the costs?

  • Are you someone who has always dreamed of being a nurse and are thinking about a career change?

We are looking for people who care about people and their wellbeing and want to make a difference.

“Challenging but exceptionally rewarding, this apprenticeship was the only way I could go into nursing and I’m so grateful for this opportunity.”

What we need

To apply for a RNDA, you will need to: 

  • be aged 18 or over at the start of the programme

  • have grade C/4 or above in GSCE English and Mathematics or an ESFA/Department for Education acceptable equivalent at the point of application. Please note that IELTs, or any English as a second language qualification at any level is not an acceptable qualification for an ESFA/Department for Education funded apprenticeship programme.

  • Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and a range of academic qualifications may be acceptable. For example three A-levels at grade C, or two A-levels at grade A* or a full level 3 (or advanced) apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships or a completed Access to Higher Education Diploma.

Many of the most common qualifications we can consider are outlined on the Bournemouth University RNDA admissions webpage.

We recognise that some applicants may have a wealth of experience in addition to some appropriate formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We welcome applications from people who have experience or who are new to healthcare. If you are an existing member of staff we would encourage you to speak with your education teams.

What we need

To apply for a RNDA, you will need to: 

  • be aged 18 or over at the start of the programme

  • have grade C/4 or above in GSCE English and Mathematics or an ESFA/Department for Education acceptable equivalent at the point of application. Please note that IELTs, or any English as a second language qualification at any level is not an acceptable qualification for an ESFA/Department for Education funded apprenticeship programme.

  • Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis and a range of academic qualifications may be acceptable. For example three A-levels at grade C, or two A-levels at grade A* or a full level 3 (or advanced) apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships or a completed Access to Higher Education Diploma.

Many of the most common qualifications we can consider are outlined on the Bournemouth University RNDA admissions webpage.

We recognise that some applicants may have a wealth of experience in addition to some appropriate formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We welcome applications from people who have experience or who are new to healthcare. If you are an existing member of staff we would encourage you to speak with your education teams.

“It’s been an incredible privilege to start working in the NHS as a registered nurse apprentice.”

Specifics of the role

Where it all takes place

The course will combine university study alongside working as an apprentice in healthcare settings in Dorset.

As part of your application you need to choose which Trust you would like to work in:

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust supports Registered Nurse Degree Apprentices in Adult Nursing.

Our trust is comprised of three hospitals; the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Poole Hospital and Christchurch Hospital, which merged on 1 October 2020, creating a new organisation. This will provide huge opportunities and benefits to the way we deliver patient care in the future and will lead to better outcomes, improved quality and more efficient service delivery.

As well as delivering excellent general hospital services, our trust is home to a range of specialist services and facilities including:

  • our flagship Dorset Cancer Centre, offering medical and clinical oncology services for the whole of Dorset, serving a total population of over 750,000
  • a major trauma unit for east Dorset, serving a population of more than 500,000 people
  • a state-of-the-art Cardiology Unit (the Dorset Heart Centre), and
  • our award-winning orthopaedic service providing hip and knee replacements (the Derwent Unit)

Within UHD we pride ourselves on the delivery of safe and high-quality care. Every single person working within this organisation makes a difference to the quality of care provided. Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD.  They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

We have a number of exciting developments due to take place over the next few years, coupled with an ambitious transformation agenda. The Royal Bournemouth Hospital will become the major emergency hospital and Poole Hospital will become the major planned hospital; alongside other services provided for east Dorset. Christchurch Hospital incorporates the Day Hospital which provides rehabilitation for our older population, the Macmillan Unit which provides specialist palliative care, rheumatology, and dermatology.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term.  Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.

Visit the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust website to learn more.

Dorset County Hospital supports registered nurse degree apprenticeships in adult nursing.

Our busy, modern hospital provides a full range of district general services, including an Emergency Department, and links with satellite units in five community hospitals.

We are the main provider of acute hospital services to a population of around 300,000, living within Weymouth and Portland, the west and north of Dorset, and Purbeck. We also provide renal services for patients throughout Dorset and South Somerset; a total population of 850,000.

Our 3,500 members of staff work across various locations, including the main hospital in Dorchester, GP surgeries, schools, residential homes, people’s own homes and in the community hospitals.

If you would like more information about Dorset County Hospital please email Apprenticeships@dchft.nhs.uk

Visit the Dorset County Hospital Foundation Trust website to learn more.

Dorset HealthCare supports registered nursing apprenticeships for both the Mental Health and Adult Nursing pathways, on application please indicate your chosen pathway.

Dorset HealthCare is responsible for all mental health services and many physical health services in Dorset, delivering both hospital and community-based care. We are the biggest provider of healthcare in Dorset, and our services continually evolve and develop to meet the needs of the local community.

We serve a population of nearly 800,000 people and employ around 7,000 staff, covering a wide range of expertise and specialisms. Our staff provide healthcare at over 300 sites, ranging from village halls and GP surgeries to mental health inpatient hospitals and community hospitals – as well as in people’s homes.

Dorset HealthCare’s services include:

  • Dorset’s 12 community hospitals and minor injuries units
  • adult and children’s community health services (physical and mental)
  • specialist learning disability services
  • community brain injury services
  • integrated sexual health and HIV service.

Our community health services encompass district nurses, health visitors, school nursing, end of life care, sexual health promotion, safeguarding children, diabetes education, audiology, speech and language therapy, dermatology, podiatry, orthopaedic services, wheelchair services, anti-coagulation services, pulmonary rehab, early discharge stroke services, Parkinson’s care, community oncology and breastfeeding support services.

Visit the Dorset Healthcare website to learn more.

Please note, we are only able to accept applications for Primary Care if you have already secured agreement with your chosen Primary Care organisation.

If you are a Primary Care employee who is interested in applying to be a RNDA in Primary Care, or are a Primary Care organisation and are interested in supporting an employee onto the RNDA programme, please contact contact@joinourdorset.nhs.uk for more information.

Please note, we are only able to accept applications for Social Care if you have already secured agreement with your chosen Social Care organisation.

If you are a Social Care employee who is interested in applying to be a RNDA in Social Care, or are a Social Care organisation and are interested in supporting an employee onto the RNDA Programme,  please contact contact@joinourdorset.nhs.uk for more information.

We will ask you to state a preference for your main base of work, however as 50% of this programme is placement based you will be expected to travel across Dorset to complete the placement hours required.

Dorset HealthCare (DHC) are a community trust with bases across the county, if you apply to DHC please state a preference of location as this will be taken into account but cannot be guaranteed.

As well as working as part of the team delivering care at your home base, you will also experience placement opportunities at various locations where you’ll develop the skills to become a registered nurse.
Whilst on placement your shift pattern may include nights, evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Due to the type of programme annual leave is only able to be taken during home base time.

Programme provider

The programme will be provided by Bournemouth University. 

Contract

The programme is approximately 3 ½ years in length, will start in August/September 2025 (subject to change) and is full time. This is made up of:

  • 7.5 hour study days for academic study
  • Days working shifts as a supernumerary student nurse in placement
  • Days working shifts in your workplace as a rostered employee

“Thank you for such a great opportunity, we are so lucky to have a wide breadth of knowledge both as a student nurse and a health care assistant.”

Applications will be open soon

Register your interest for future opportunities.

Ready to start your career in nursing? 

If you’re interested in finding a career with the NHS in Dorset, take a look at the opportunities we currently have available.

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