Nurse Cadets scheme starts at UON

Boosting the number of healthcare professionals moves up a level thanks to a new, ‘work placements’ scheme supported by the University of Northampton (UON).

Nurse Cadets is a programme designed to help introduce young people who are about to leave school to the wide variety of health careers available. The cadets get experience during their last year at school working in either a hospital or community care setting.

This gives them valuable insight and exposure to the sector and, if they are interested in progressing into the profession, can bank the experience ahead of an interview with UON for the relevant degree.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the University and partners at Nurse Cadets Thames Valley*. As such, UON guarantees an interview for degree applicants, providing entry requirements are met.

There is space for up to 50 cadets in each academic year across all four fields of (BSc) Nursing and the University’s Foundation courses in Dental Nursing and the Nursing Associate programme.

Other UON courses available for the Cadets are Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Science and Podiatry and Nursing Cadet applications through UCAS are open now.

Dr Jacob Saranga, Dean of the Faculty of Health, Education and Society at UON, said: “It is with great pleasure I can officially announce the start of our partnership with Nurse Cadets Thames Valley.

“This is a great opportunity for young people on the cusp of starting their professional careers who are interested in working in health but may not be aware of the array of professions – and roles within them – that are out there.

“The Nurse Cadets programme is hugely beneficial as they gain first-hand experience, standing them in good stead for an interview to gain a place on one of our many, popular health courses.

“The University of Northampton is proud to be part of a scheme that will help the cadets on their way to providing the great care many of us already receive from healthcare professionals.”

*The full list of Nurse Cadet Thames Valley partners is:

• The University of Northampton
• Bucks College Group
• Milton Keynes College
• Hazeley Academy
• Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust
• Milton Keynes University Hospitals Trust
• Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust