Unison HCA conference: Transfer plan for degrees

Trainee HCAs on foundation degree courses should be able to do extra modules so they can easily transfer over to nursing degree courses, according to a leading academic.

Imminent results of an NMC consultation on pre-registration nurse training are likely to advise ending diploma courses after the NHS Next Stage Review, published this month, backed a 'shift' to a degree-only profession.

Professor David Synes, executive dean at London's South Bank University, told delegates that foundation degree students should be able to 'top up' their courses to transfer.

'[Students] could be able to enter a six-to-eight week full-time bridging programme to give them the skills and competencies to enter nursing degrees,' he said.