Nursing Associate Apprenticeship

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Nursing Associate Apprentice to train while earning a full-time salary. Candidates will gain hands-on experience and academic training over two years, with responsibilities including patient care and participation in a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree. Ideal applicants are compassionate, resilient, and can work flexible shifts. This apprenticeship has no tuition fees, making it a valuable opportunity for those passionate about healthcare.

Benefits

Development opportunities

On-site leisure facilities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Previous care experience is needed.
• Flexibility to work a full range of shifts, including nights and weekends.
• Completion of the Care Certificate before starting the programme.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with patients as part of clinical teams.
• Study for the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree.
• Participate in an apprenticeship while earning a full-time salary.

Skills

Compassionate care

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Ability to work flexible shifts

Time management

Education

GCSE Grade C in Maths

GCSE Grade C in English

Care Certificate

Job description

Overview

Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Permanent | Earn While You Learn | No Tuition Fees

The closing date is 28 January 2026

Are you passionate about caring for others and ready to build a rewarding career in nursing? Join Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) as a Nursing Associate Apprentice and train to become a Registered Nursing Associate while earning a full-time salary and completing a fully funded university qualification.

Why this Nursing Apprenticeship?

The Nursing Associate role is a fast-evolving profession, created to bridge the gap between the Registered Nurse and the Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW). An apprenticeship is a unique way to learn, combining academic study with real clinical experience. It\'s an excellent blend of theory and hands-on practice, helping you grow into a skilled, confident and compassionate healthcare professional.

Over two years, you will:

• Work directly with patients as part of our clinical teams
• Study for the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree with Anglia Ruskin University

Who we are looking for

We\'re seeking highly motivated, compassionate, enthusiastic, and resilient individuals to help us continue developing this exciting role within the Trust and begin the academic programme in 2026.

We welcome applications from:

If you haven\'t already achieved the Care Certificate, you\'ll complete it before starting the programme.

Main duties of the job

What you need

• Previous care experience
• A passion for delivering high-quality, compassionate care
• Strong communication skills and a commitment to teamwork
• The ability to balance work and study
• Flexibility to work a full range of shifts (enhanced pay applies for nights, weekends and public holidays)
• Evidence of completion of the ARU Step into Healthcare online learning activity, which includes numeracy, literacy and digital skills

Eligibility for Apprenticeship Funding

You must have:

• Right to Work: The apprentice must have permission granted by the UK government to live and work in the UK, and this permission must not be for education purposes only
• Residency Requirement: The individual must have been "ordinarily resident" in the UK and Islands for at least 3 years immediately before the start of the apprenticeship, for a "settled purpose" not wholly or mainly for receiving full-time education.
• Hold a visa valid for the full duration of the two-year programme. Duration of Apprenticeship and Visa: The apprentice\'s right to remain in the UK must not be limited by a fixed-term contract or a visa that would prevent them from completing the full duration of the apprenticeship.

Refer to the downloads section for further information and FAQs

Find Out More

Join our Nursing Apprenticeship webinar on Saturday 24th January 26 @10am to meet the team and discover whether this is the right career path for you.

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/34902843187014?p=667X3gshDZ33nABmPH

About us

Come Nurse with us...

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke\'s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It\'s a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practice your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health-care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Why choose Cambridge University Hospitals?

o Our values and reputation for outstanding care

o Opportunities to experience a range of specialities

o Career and development opportunities

o Preceptorship and mentoring programmes delivered by a dedicated clinical education support team

o Research experience and opportunities

o Lovely location and quality of life

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

Please be aware that the salary threshold required for a certificate of sponsorship to be granted is above the starting point of the Agenda for Change band for this role. Therefore those that are new to the NHS may not reach the minimum salary threshold required to obtain a certificate of sponsorship

Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:- applied for a Graduate visa- or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment- or the Trust has agreed that they will Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment

This vacancy will close at midnight on 28th January 2026

Interviews are due to be held on 13th February 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE Grade C/grade 4 in Maths and English
• Care Certificate

Experience

• Good inter-personal and communication skills
• Evidence of time management skills with the ability to prioritise and work effectively
• Ability to work effectively as a team player under supervision, and as part of a multiprofessional team
• Understand the importance of confidentiality
• Awareness and respect for colleagues', patients', relatives' cultural and emotional needs

Knowledge

• Understanding of the Nursing Associate Role
• Understanding of own strengths and development needs and able to reflect and seek support as appropriate
• Completion of work-based training
• Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload

Skills

• Ability to work on own initiative
• Courteous, respectful and helpful at all time
• Ability to communicate with members of the patients, carers, relatives and colleagues
• Self-motivated
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Able to take responsibility for duties in an efficient and safe environment

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Together-safe, kind, excellen

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

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