The Clinical Support Worker Accelerated Route Into Nursing

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.

What will I learn?

Health Numeracy (including Safe Medicate) and Anatomy & Physiology.

Support skills such as study skills, academic writing & library support will also be provided.

Entry criteria

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.

• 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 2 of the nursing programme, you will also be required to complete the Confident Caring Assessment (CCA) before September.

Course dates and duration

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

Cost

Your NHS Trust will fund both the CARING course and your study time in August.

How to Apply

NHS Borders employees

Please contact the NHS Borders Clinical Education Team via email: bor.clinicaleducationteam@borders.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Fife employees

Please contact the NHS Fife Professional Development Team via email: fife.practiceprofessionaldevelopment@nhs.scot

NHS Lothian employees

Please contact the NHS Lothian Clinical Education and Training Team Lead, Janet McLean via email: Janet.McLean@nhs.scot

Additional information

What will I get after completion of the course?

On successful completion, you will have the opportunity to articulate into Year 2 of your pathway. Subsequently, whilst studying in Year 2 and 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.

*Bachelor of Nursing Year 2 and 3 pathway options

Bachelor Of Nursing (Adult) BN

Nursing (Mental Health) BN

Nursing (Learning Disabilities) BN