
Access To Higher Education: Nursing and Midwifery
Start Date: 2nd September 2024

- Length 32 Weeks
- Study Part Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
Our Access To Higher Education Nursing and Midwifery course is part of our Health Careers Academy and provides a route to study at University for those wishing to specialise in Adult Nursing, Midwifery, Child Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work or Paramedics.
Students on this course will benefit from links with the Royal College of Nursing and partner Universities, plus unique work placements in a variety of roles within the medical sector offered with leading employers including NHS, HCRG and West Lancashire Partnership.
Duration
This course can be studied in the daytime over 3 days per week or 2 evenings per week, over 35 weeks.
Entry requirements
- GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade C or above)
or
- Level 2 Functional Skills for progression to Adult Nursing or Mental Health Nursing
You will also need to attend an interview to assess your suitability for the course
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a nationally recognised and highly regarded (QAA) Access To Higher Education Diploma
What will I learn?
- The National Health Service
- Nutrition and lifestyle
- Understanding mental health
- Care planning
- Understanding eating disorders
- A medical condition
- Skeleton and muscles
- Reproduction
- Human respiratory and cardia systems
- Infectious diseases
- Biological communication systems
- Physiology and digestive processes
- Sociology of health
- Infection control
- Human cell biology
- Maths in a health and care context
You will also study a range of skills to prepare you for Higher Education.
If you don't have any work experience in a care setting, this is something that you ought to consider before starting the course so that you have an understanding of working in the field. This will prepare you for writing a personal statement for University.
How am I assessed?
- Coursework
- Exams
Our Access To Higher Education courses are accredited by AIM Awards
Where can I progress?
If you successfully complete a Level 3 course at West Lancashire College, you are eligible to apply for a place on an appropriate degree programme. This will be subject to a satisfactory interview.
The expectation is and the emphasis of the course is that you will be both applying and progressing onto a degree course at a range of Higher Education Institutions e.g. University of Central Lancashire and Edge Hill University.
Course costs
This is a free* course.
*Your Advanced Learner Loan must be written off on completion of eligible Higher Education qualification.
If you are aged 19-23 and studying your first full Level 3 course, this course could be free for you. Please call 01695 52300 or email enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk to confirm the fee for this course. Course costs may be subject to change.
If you are aged 19 and over, studying your second or subsequent Level 3 free, or discounts fees are not available, please call Student Services on 01695 52300 for information on Advanced Learning Loans.
Alternatively, you can view the Government Advanced Learning Loans page to find out more.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*Students aged 19-23, may be entitled to a 100% fee discount. This is subject to eligibility.
Adult Funding Changes
Due to changes in Government funding from 1st August 2019, students who resident in some postcodes in Merseyside and Greater Manchester may be unable to access funding from training providers and colleges in Lancashire and may have to pay all associated course and support costs.
Please note, this does not include courses that are paid for by Advanced Learner Loans.
To check if your postcode is part of the new devolved funding legislation, please contact Course Enquiries on 01695 52300 for further advice.
Contact our team
What can I do with a qualification in Access?
Daily tasks:
- Monitors patient.
- Supervises physiotherapy assistants.
- Offers advice and education on how to avoid injury and promote patient.
- Explains treatment to and instructs patient in posture and other exercises and adapts treatment as necessary.
- Plans and undertakes therapy to improve circulation, restore joint mobility, strengthen muscles and reduce pain.
- Writes up patients.
- Examines medical reports and assesses patient to determine the condition of muscles, nerves or joints in need of treatment.
- Provides prosthetic devices to patients and advises on rehabilitation.
- Carries out a range of oral/dental treatments.
- Diagnoses and treats patients with a variety of hearing-related problems.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of formal training relating to nursing practice.
- Plans, manages, provides and evaluates nursing care services for patients, supervises the implementation of nursing care plans.
- Advises on nursing care, disease prevention, nutrition, etc. and liaises with hospital board/ management on issues concerning nursing policy.
- Plans duty rotas and organises and directs the work and training of ward and theatre nursing staff.
- Participates in the preparation for physical and psychological treatment of mentally ill patients.
- Monitors patient.
- Manages own case load.
- Assists medical doctors and works with other healthcare professionals to deal with emergencies and pre-planned treatment of patients.
Daily tasks:
- Delivers lectures and other forms of training in midwifery practice.
- Plans and manages midwifery care services.
- Supervises more junior staff and directs the work of the midwifery unit.
- Advises on baby care, exercise, diet and family planning issues.
- Monitors recovery of mother in postnatal period and supervises the nursing of premature and other babies requiring special attention.
- Delivers babies in normal births and assists doctors with difficult deliveries.
- Monitors condition and progress of patient and baby throughout pregnancy.
Daily tasks:
- Changes bed linen, makes beds and tidies wards.
- Assists patients in washing, dressing, toiletry activities and general mobility.
- Distributes and serves food, assists patients in feeding and prepares snacks and hot drinks.
- Prepares patient for examination and treatment.
- Performs basic clinical tasks such as taking patients.
Access To Higher Education at West Lancashire College

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Upcoming events

Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 5th February 2024
4:30pm - 7:00pm

Trade Fair
West Lancashire College
Tuesday 12th March 2024
4:30pm - 6:00pm
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