Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)
This Course at a Glance
Change your career and become a Nurse
Gain the equivalent of three A Levels
A popular way to meet university entry requirements
Flexible learning; study when it suits, at your pace
Complete over two years or less
Various payment methods are available
100% online learning
No exams
About Your Diploma
If you’ve always thought about becoming a Nurse but life simply got in the way, or nursing has recently appealed to you as a career option, but you don’t have the desired qualifications, you can still make this career switch.
Perfect Preparation for a Nursing Degree
Traditionally, universities were quite strict on what they accepted as adequate qualifications to meet the entry requirements of their nursing degrees. This would limit many would-be students from pursuing higher education to reach their career goals, like becoming a Registered Nurse.
Now, many more qualifications are accepted as adequate preparation for learners going into higher-level study. So, if you don’t have GCSEs or A Levels, all is not lost. Many universities now welcome students who have other qualifications like BTEC Nationals, Functional Skills or Access to Higher Education Diplomas.
An Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is a flexible online nursing diploma UK learners can study that allows you to:
Study from home or wherever suits
Study at your own pace
Its vocation-focused modules provide you with knowledge and skills so specific to nursing that it can be used as the equivalent of 3 A-Levels.
Learn Everything You Need to Become a Nurse
Throughout our Nurse course, UK learners will study a range of topics, including:
Healthcare Communication – Discover the importance of confidentiality and the value of good communication skills within the health service
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within Healthcare – Understand the key legislation and regulations related to EDI healthcare
Professionalism – Learn about the roles and responsibilities of working within the health service, as well as the multidisciplinary approach to healthcare
You will also complete modules that focus on giving you the study skills for university, which is perfect for those who have been out of education for some time. For more information on what you’ll explore in our Nurse course, UK learners can see the ‘Modules’ tab.
Getting Started
learndirect is a leading UK distance learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is a Level 3 nationally recognised qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
No Classrooms, No Timetables
Studied completely online, the flexibility of this course enables you to work towards your nursing future outside of your current commitments. So, no matter if it’s a full-time job or childcare, you can complete your nursing course around them.
You will have up to two years to complete your Access to Higher Education Diploma. Though, the freedom to move through the course at your pace sees most of our students complete them within 9-12 months.
Stay On Top Of Your Learning
You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.
*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.
Modules
Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills
On completion of this unit you will:
Be able to interpret specific questions
Be able to structure a written response
Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
Understand how to organise and apply information in their academic writing
Unit 2: Reading and Note Making
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand a range of reading strategies
Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources
Unit 3: Exploring Healthcare Communication
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the main methods of communication
Understand the barriers to communication
Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping
Unit 4: Exploring the Structure and Function of Cells
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand cellular structure and organisation
Understand cellular activity
Understand the cell cycle
Unit 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare
On completion of this unit you will:
Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI healthcare
Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings
Unit 6: Nutrition and Digestion
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the concept of a balanced diet
Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system
Unit 7: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care
Unit 8: Perspectives in Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand different psychological perspectives
Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology
Unit 9: Endocrine System
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
Understand the action of hormones
Unit 10: Poverty in Contemporary Britain
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand definitions of poverty
Understand the historical context of poverty in Britain
Understand the different methods used to measure poverty
Understand theoretical explanations of poverty
Understand explanations about why certain social groups are more likely to experience poverty
Understand recent policies for tackling poverty in Britain
Unit 11: Human Musculoskeletal System
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
Know how muscles contract
Understand the development of bone
Unit 12: Mental Health and Coping Strategies
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand how society determines and responds to a range of behaviours experienced by individuals suffering from mental ill health
Understand the influence of biological, social and environmental factors in relation to mental health
Understand different strategies for therapy and care of mental health disorders
Understand the major sources and effects of psychological stress
Understand a vareity of coping strategies
Unit 13: Infection and Immunity
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
Understand how the human body responds to infection
Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics
Unit 14: Dementia
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand the causes and prevalence of dementia
Understand the diagnosis of dementia
Understand treatment and care of dementia patients
Unit 15: The Cause and Control of Disease
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand categories and causes of human disease
Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
Understand measures for disease prevention
Unit 16: Health Promotion
On completion of this unit you will:
Understand current models of health promotion
Understand the role of current initiatives in promoting good health
Understand the role of current agencies or organisations that contribute to improving public health
Entry Requirements
You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma. You also need to have a UK address to enrol.
University Entry Criteria
It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.
Minimum age restriction
Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.
Average completion timeframe
The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.
Assessment requirements
A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, case study analysis, illustrated report, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), developing promotional activity, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks
Exams required
There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.
Is Membership Required?
No membership is required to enrol on this course.
Additional requirements
Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.
Certification Timeframe
You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.
Course Fees
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
*You will have access to the course for 24 months.
Assessment
The assessment process of our nursing course consists of the following:
Assignments
The assignments for this course aim to prepare you for your next step in higher education, while providing the number of credits necessary to achieve your qualification.
At the end of each unit of study, you will need to complete an assignment which your tutor will then mark and provide you with feedback and a grade to help you to progress.
Credits
To successfully achieve this Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need 60 credits in total. The credits are split into the following two categories:
Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills
As part of this nursing diploma, UK learners will also receive help as well as guidance with their university application and the research they need to do to get the most out of their diploma.
Career
By completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) and a subsequent nursing degree, you will open yourself up to an array of career prospects.
With Nurses being required to facilitate treatments in almost every health service, there is almost no end to the type of Nurse you can become. If you’re passionate about caring for children, working with the elderly, or helping people requiring emergency care, you can find a specialism to suit your interest.
Just some of the many nursing roles you can pursue are:
Paediatric Nurse
Neonatal Nurse
Adult Nurse
Geriatric Nurse
Nursing Home Nurse
Community Nurse
Theatre Nurse
ICU Nurse
Critical Care Nurse
Cardiology Nurse
Respiratory Nurse
Mental Health Nurse
Special Educational Needs Disability Nurse
Further Qualifications and Prospects
Once qualified and registered as a Nurse, you will need to maintain your registration through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This is any form of training and education that adds directly to your skillset as a Nurse but falls outside of your mandatory and statutory training.
Gaining CPD and taking further training within healthcare facilities can also help you move into your desired specialism. Aligning yourself with the type of nursing work that means the most to you.
What types of courses for nursing CPD exists?
You could study courses like:
Understanding Mental Health
Clinical Nutrition
Grief and Bereavement Counselling
Eating Disorders
Drug, Solvent and Alcohol Misuse Counselling
Caring for Older People
Caring for People with Learning Disabilities
Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
End of Life Care
There will also be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and move into direct health management roles like:
Ward Manager
Team Leader
Matron
Director of Nursing
Should you choose to complete a postgraduate qualification, you could assume the direct health role of an advanced Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Consultant. If it appeals to you, you could also become a Teacher of future Nurses or go into research.
Qualifications
Skills & Education Group Access
On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing), (QAA ref = 40014356), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.
An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.