Access to Nursing (SWAP) Level 6

NQ - UHI Argyll

Course description

If you'd like to work in the health sector but lack the necessary qualifications this Access course can help get you on the right track.

Designed for students who have been out of education for more than 3 years, the Scottish Wider Access Programme provides a gateway to nursing. This course can help you move on to university to study adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disability nursing or child nursing.

You will receive a solid grounding in healthcare, as well as building confidence and self-esteem through studying with like-minded people, to prepare you for the return to education.

Progression to University

UWS is one of the SWAP West university partners responsible for placements for Adult and Mental Health Nursing. If you choose to progress to UWS from UHI Argyll, you may be prioritised for an Argyll placement.

The practical elements of the course include:

Taking part in activities to learn about the various aspects of healthcare
Practical days working in a clinical environment
Guest lecturers from a range of different care backgrounds
Learning essential basic first aid and gaining qualifications

In the classroom environment you will:

Learn essential IT skills
Learn basic numeracy skills relevant to the health and social care sector
Develop skills for university, interviews and CV writing

You'll have the opportunity for personal development too and we'll support you to:

Increase your confidence and self-belief
Improve your ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues
Work collaboratively with your peers to enhance social and teamwork skills

The units you will study include:

Basic First Aid
Care: Human Development and Behaviour
Care: Social Influences
Care: Values and Principles
Caring for People with Dementia
Communication (NC)
Communication in Care Relationships
Health Promotion
ICT
Literature 1
Mental Health Issues: An Introduction
Numeracy
Preparation for HE (SWAP)
Prevention of Infection
Safeguarding People
Stress and Stress Management
The Human Body

During the course you will take part in two practical study days, one in each semester, where you will work in a clinical environment.

Entry requirements

There are no academic entry requirements for this course but we expect you to have:

Experience of working in a care setting (desirable but not essential)

Good communication skills and a real interest in working with people

SWAP (Scottish Wider Access Programme) entry requirements:

You have been out of education for at least 3 years and your highest qualification is SCQF level 5 (Standard Grade, Int 2, GCSE or equivalent)

You have been out of education for at least 5 years and your highest qualification is SCQF level 6 or higher (Highers, A Levels, HN or equivalent)

If you have previously studied at university, but did not complete your degree, you will not normally be eligible. However, if there are exceptional individual circumstances to consider, these could potentially allow you to be considered for a SWAP course.  More information can be found here.