The Royal College of Nursing has partnered with the Open University to provide distance learning courses, aiming to create development and change across healthcare education and practice.
Courses offered include a masters programme in ‘advancing healthcare practice’, and a ‘top up’ programme enabling qualified nurses to study for an honours degree over two years, part-time.
Professor Brenda Gourley, the university’s vice-chancellor, told E-Health Insider: “Working with the RCN, we will make a lasting impact on the quality and accessibility of education to improve healthcare provision. We will also make a lasting impact on the individuals who participate, and their families. This partnership is helping us to achieve our mission of reaching learners – wherever they are and with whatever qualifications they may have or not have.
“It will help them not only to succeed but fulfil their potential, whatever that may be. This partnership will help any person who wants a career in healthcare be able to learn the skills needed in a flexible way and take this into their training [and] into the workplace – in the NHS, the independent sector and in social care.”
The aim of the new alliance is to offer flexible progression for all levels of the healthcare workforce, and widen participation in higher education programmes for all NHS or private sector employees.
The university says it hopes it will also influence healthcare education policy and debates about skills development, employer engagement and workplace education.
Dr Peter Carter, RCN general secretary, said: “Working together, the Royal College of Nursing and the Open University will be able to make a real difference to the healthcare workforce through the delivery of top-quality, flexible learning for staff who would otherwise be unable to access higher education courses to support their careers.
“Healthcare support workers and nurses will be able to continue to earn as they learn and apply their learning to their practice for the benefit of patients and clients.”
The new courses will enhance and extend the current OU curriculum and Professor Gourley is excited by the opportunities it should bring.
“Students are already signing up to study and we hope that these courses will help to fill shortfalls in healthcare recruitment. Working with the RCN, we will be able to offer everyone the opportunity to train for a career in healthcare and graduate with an accredited degree recognised by employers.”
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Joe Fernandez