The Clinical Support Worker Accelerated Route Into Nursing (CARING) Course is a new opportunity to enable Band 4 Assistant Practitioners (PDA Level 8) to articulate into Year 2 of the Bachelor of Nursing programmes*, at Edinburgh Napier University.
Course content: Health Numeracy (including Safe Medicate) and Anatomy & Physiology. Support skills such as study skills, academic writing & library support will also be provided.
On successful completion, you will have the opportunity to articulate into year 2 of your pathway. Subsequently, whilst studying in year 2 & 3 of your chosen BN course*, you will remain an employee of NHS Borders, NHS Fife or NHS Lothian (as appropriate) one day a week whilst also being entitled to the SAAS bursary.
Dates & Location: Participants must attend all sessions:
The agreed dates for the 2026 CARING course are as follows:
Tue 04 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Wed 05 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Tue 11 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Wed 12 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Tue 18 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Wed 19 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Tue 25 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Wed 26 August 2026 09:00 - 16:00
Funding: Your NHS Trust will fund both the CARING course and your study time in August.
Who is the course for?
Applicants must be currently employed as a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner within NHS Borders, NHS Lothian or NHS Fife, and have their employer's agreement to participate.
Entry requirements:
- Successfully completed the Band 4 Professional Development Award (PDA) 56-Credit level 8 training
- Have at least one year of experience working as a Clinical Support Worker in an Adult, Learning Disability, or Mental Health care setting in NHS Borders, NHS Fife, or NHS Lothian, which can be confirmed by their employer.
- A minimum of one referee who is a Practice Assessor that has worked with you and can verify your knowledge, skills, and expertise in relation to Adult, Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Nursing
- Successful completion of a joint interview by Edinburgh Napier and NHS Borders, NHS Fife, or NHS Lothian as appropriate
- A successful Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check
NOTE: To join year two of the nursing programme, you will also be required to complete the Confident Caring Assessment (CCA) before September.
APPLY NOW
NHS Borders employees, please contact the NHS Borders Clinical Education Team via the email: bor.clinicaleducationteam@borders.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Fife employees, please contact the NHS Fife Professional Development Team via the email: fife.practiceprofessionaldevelopment@nhs.scot
NHS Lothian employees, please contact the NHS Lothian Clinical Education and Training Team Lead, Janet McLean via the email: Janet.McLean@nhs.scot
Options for your year 2 and 3 pathway:
Bachelor Of Nursing (Adult) BN | Edinburgh Napier University
Nursing (Mental Health) BN | Edinburgh Napier University
Nursing (Learning Disabilities) BN | Edinburgh Napier University