Every placement has a minimum attendance requirement of 80% of the allocated hours as listed in the student year planner. Please note that some students may have additional weeks added to ARC, which will change the allocated hours in ARC.
The placements team will endeavour to ensure that the students’ total allocated hours remain core; however, for the purposes of assessment, the original placement hours will be used to calculate the 80% minimum attendance. Where students have a reasonable adjustment for placement hours, which reduces the total required for the placement, the Academic Assessor will use the adjusted figure to calculate the minimum 80% attendance.
Attendance per part
In addition to the requirements of each individual placement, to pass Part 1 or Part 3, students must also achieve a minimum attendance rate of 80% as the mean average for the entire part.
Documentation – every placement must include an orientation, initial interview, midpoint interview, final interview and end of placement OAR.
Making up hours in placement
Provided the placement can support a request for additional hours, students are permitted to work up to a maximum of 48 hours in any week. This maximum must include all independent study days, theory days, placement days, as well as any part-time work, whether in a healthcare setting or not.
Some placements and trusts will have a lower maximum limit; in this case, the lower limit will remain in force for the duration of that placement.
Practice Assessors & Supervisors
Students should, in general, have only one Practice Assessor.
Students do not need to work with their Practice Assessor regularly; they will receive feedback from practice supervisors
The practice assessor must be a registered nurse in the same branch as the student. There are some occasions when we will be able to accept a practice assessor who is not on the same branch, but these are rare and will normally need to be confirmed with the Academic Course Leads or the Senior Placements Manager. An example of where we can accept a variation is a registered Children’s Nurse working in CAMHS and assessing a Mental Health student. In this case, the practical experience and training of the Children’s Nurse in the field of Mental Health Nursing is sufficient to allow them to appropriately assess a Mental Health Student.
Long Arm Assessors
In some cases, a suitably qualified and experienced Practice Assessor will not be available to assess the student in practice. This most often occurs with Learning Disabilities students and students in placements where there are no registered nurses, e.g. a care home where the CQC Registered Manager is the Practice Supervisor.
If a Long Arm Assessor is required, this role will be filled by an appropriately qualified and experienced member of university staff who will regularly meet with the student and their Practice Supervisor(s) to inform their professional judgments about the student’s progression and assessment.
Protected Learning Hour
As part of their practice learning experience, all students are expected to complete a ‘Protected Learning hour’ once a week. The Protected Learning Hour is a space for all students to identify a learning opportunity during their practice education time and have time to explore this. Once an opportunity has been identified, each student should create a learning plan in partnership with their practice supervisor or assessor and then use the Protected Learning Hour to meet this goal. This hour may be away from the practice learning setting to allow quiet time to study and research the subject, but it is important that this is taken during the allocated practice learning hours, not in addition to these.
PLH is not mandatory, but students are expected to complete it.
PLH must be taken within the working day; students are not permitted to leave the placement an hour early, for example and count that as PLH.
Students can complete a maximum of 1 hour PLH per week
Students may wish to use the library or computers available locally so are permitted to leave the placement to complete their PLH, but should report back to their PA/PS before completing their shift.
PLH must be recorded in the ePAD, and any research completed should be retained and uploaded to the ePAD.
PLH can be signed off by any Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor.
Individual Placement Minimum Requirements
NB – Please refer to the additional guidance for Proficiencies, EoC, etc.
Placement 1
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point Interview, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR
Minimum 80% attendance
100% professional values
Placement 2
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point Interview, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR, End of Part OAR
Minimum 80% attendance in the placement and as an average for Part 1
100% professional values
100% proficiencies
Episode of Care
Medicines Management
Placement 3
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point Interview, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR
Minimum 80% attendance
100% professional values
Minimum 50% proficiencies
One Episode of Care (the second must be completed in placement 4)
Placement 4
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point Interview, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR, End of Part OAR
Minimum 80% attendance
100% professional values
100% proficiencies
Episode of Care 1 and 2
Medicines Management
Placement 5
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point Interview, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR
Minimum 80% attendance
100% professional values
Placement 6
Orientation, Initial Interview, Mid-Point, Final Interview, End of Placement OAR, End of Part OAR
Minimum 80% attendance in the placement and as an average for Part 3
100% professional values
100% proficiencies
Episode of Care 1 and 2
Medicines Management
Please note – students must also complete a minimum of 2300 placement hours in order to complete the course and register with the NMC.
Completing Spoke Days
Spoke days can be a great way to gain additional experience and complete parts of the ePAD which are more complex in your current placement. When considering a spoke day, please note the following:
Spoke days must always be within the same trust as your substantive placement.
Staff worked with on a spoke day can only act as practice supervisor for that student during that spoke day. They are not permitted to be a practice assessor for the spoke experience.
If you need to complete an EoC or Meds management in a spoke placement, the documentation must be completed and signed by your practice assessor in your substantive placement. You will need to gather sufficient evidence to support your Practice Assessor to be able to assess your EoC or Meds Management.
Guidance for Episodes of Care (EoC)
Please ensure that the guidance for each episode of care is read before attempting the EoC. Students will be deemed to have failed the Episode of Care if it does not meet the requirements set out in the guidance.
Episodes of Care must only be assessed by the practice assessor.
Part 1
There is one EoC in part 1, and it can be completed at any time in the year.
If a student fails the EoC, they will be permitted to undertake a second attempt
Part 2
One EoC must be completed in each placement
If the EoC is failed the student will be permitted to undertake a second attempt before the submission deadline.
If the EoC is in a failed state when submitted, the placement will be deemed to have failed, and the student will need to undertake a retrieval placement.
Part 3
There are two EoC in part three which can be completed at any point in the year
If a student fails an EoC, they will be permitted to undertake one additional attempt
If the EoC is failed for a second time, then it will remain in a failed state and assessed at the end of the placement. In this case, the student will need to undertake a retrieval placement.
Guidance for Medication Management
In all three parts of the course, Medication Management can be undertaken in either the first or second placement.
If a student fails the medication management, they will be permitted to undertake one additional attempt.
If the Medication Management is in a failed state at the end of the Part, the student will be deemed to have failed the Part and will need to undertake a retrieval placement.
Medication Management can only be assessed by the Practice Assessor
Where a student needs to undertake a medication management assessment on a spoke placement, for example, if their placement does not administer any medication, they should print off the assessment, which should be completed by the Practice Supervisor with whom they are working. The completed form will need to be reviewed by the Practice Assessor, who will discuss the assessment with the student. It will then be the Practice Assessor’s responsibility to complete the Medications Management assessment in the ePAD.
Guide for Proficiencies
Proficiencies marked with either a single or double asterisk ** can be completed in either Part 2 or Part 3. If they are completed in Part 2, they must be maintained in Part 3 and resigned if the opportunity is available.
Students are encouraged to complete as many proficiencies in each placement as they are able. All proficiencies need to be maintained throughout the part and ideally should be signed more than once to evidence this.
Individual placement requirements are listed below.
There are a total of 91 proficiencies to complete throughout the course.
Part 1
Part one contains a total of 29 Proficiencies.
All proficiencies completed in placement 1 must be maintained in placement 2
All proficiencies must be completed by the submission date for Placement 2
The total percentage completed is shown at the top of the proficiencies page as a student score
Part 2
Part two contains a total of 21 Proficiencies which are not marked with an asterisk **.
To pass placement 3, a minimum of 11 unstarredproficiencies must be completed
Students can complete starred proficiencies at any time, but they will count in the totals for Part 3 only
The total percentage completed is shown at the top of the proficiencies page as a student score
All proficiencies completed in placement 3 must be maintained in placement 4
All proficiencies must be completed by the submission date for Placement 4
Part 3
Part three contains a total of 41 Proficiencies, which include all proficiencies marked with an asterisk **.
Students can complete starred proficiencies at any time which will all count in the totals for Part 3
The total percentage completed is shown at the top of the proficiencies page as a student score
All proficiencies completed in placement 5 must be maintained in placement 6
All proficiencies must be completed by the submission date for Placement 6
Other information
If a student has not completed sufficient placement hours to pass the placement or part, the Academic Assessor will be required to indicate that it is a failed placement and not recommend that the student progress.
Retrieval dates are outlined in the year planner. If a student requests to undertake a retrieval outside of the planned dates, they may be required to interrupt their studies whilst the module is taken to the next available exam board.
Students who do not complete 100% of their placement hours may be required to undertake additional placement time during the summer retrieval period.
The current NMC minimum number of placement hours is 2300 – this must be completed before the Part 3 placement module can be presented at the exam board
Retrievals & Failures
Failed Placement
Retrieval Required
Date of Retrieval
Other actions and information
1
No
N/A
Discussion with PT
2
Yes
After NP2
3
Yes
After NP4
4
Yes
After NP4
If the student needs hours retrieval for NP3 & NP4, they will need to interrupt
5
No
N/A
Discussion with PT
6
Yes
After NP6
For all failed placements, an action plan must be developed and documented in the ePAD. This should be undertaken with the appropriate staff, which is likely to include CIPS, Personal Tutors, Academic Assessor and Practice Assessor
Failing Placement 1
The students will need to have a formal meeting with their personal tutor to discuss the failed placement, including what contributed to the failed placement and what adjustments or support may be needed to ensure that the student can be successful in the following placements.
Where insufficient placement hours have been completed, the personal tutor will need to discuss why the hours were missed and what mitigating measures the student will put in place to ensure full attendance moving forward. The student may need to undertake an additional placement at the end of the part to make up missed placement hours.
An action plan must be developed and added to the ePAD. This will need to be highlighted to the following placement Practice Assessor.
The student will be able to progress to placement 2 if they have failed placement 1.
Failing Placement 2
Where Placement 2 is failed, the student will need to undertake a retrieval placement in the summer retrieval block.
If the student is unable to attend the retrieval on the set dates, for any reason, they will be required to undertake a retrieval at the start of the following academic year and then interrupt their studies, as they will have missed the progression point.
If the retrieval is failed, the student will need to interrupt their studies until the second semester of the next academic year and then undertake a repeat of Placement 2
If the retake of placement 2 is failed, the student will need to undertake a retrieval in the summer retrieval block. If that retrieval is failed, the student will be required to withdraw from the program.
If the placement has been passed, but the student has hours to make up, they may need to undertake an additional placement at the end of the part to make up missed placement hours.
Failing Placement 3
If Placement 3 is failed, the student will need to undertake a period of retrieval. The exact nature of the retrieval will depend on which element(s) have been failed.
If a student fails the EoC, they will need to complete a new EoC by the given submission date.
If a student does not complete a minimum of 11 unstarred proficiencies, they will need to complete the remaining proficiencies by the given submission date.
If the student fails any professional values, they will need to complete a new endpoint interview, which may be paper-based, by the given submission date.
If the student fails the placement due to completing less than 80% of the placement hours, their retrieval will be during the summer retrieval period. In this case the students must discuss their attendance with their Personal Tutor.
If a student fails the retrievIf Placement 3 is failed, the student will need to undertake a period of retrieval. The exact nature of the retrieval will depend on which element(s) have been failed. If a student fails the EoC, they will need to complete a new EoC by the given submission date. If a student does not complete a minimum of 11 unstarred proficiencies, they will need to complete the remaining proficiencies by the given submission date. If the student fails any professional values, they will need to complete a new endpoint interview, which may be paper-based, by the given submission date. If the student fails the placement due to completing less than 80% of the placement hours, their retrieval will be during the summer retrieval period. In this case the students must discuss their attendance with their Personal Tutor. If a student fails the retrieval placement, they will be permitted to complete the academic year but will be required to retake the placement at the start of the next academic year and then interrupt their studies.
Retrieval for Placement 3
Placement 3 is the only mid-year placement which has a retrieval point and so is handled differently from the end-of-part retrievals.
Please note that if a student fails Placement 3 due to insufficient hours and for another reason, such as failing the EoC, their retrieval will be scheduled during the summer retrieval period only. They will not be required to undertake any retrieval elements at the start of Placement 4, as they would then be undertaking two retrievals for the same failed module. If a student fails Placement 3 for any combination of Proficiencies, EoC, or Professional Values, the retrieval period will be at the start of Placement 4 as outlined below.
Proficiencies. If any proficiencies are failed, they must be completed within the first 4 weeks of placement 4. There will be no new ePAD for this; students will need to complete the missing proficiencies in their existing ePAD, following the specific directions of their Academic Assessor. Students are required to submit evidence to Moodle, for example, a screenshot of the percentage completion of proficiencies, to be able to be recorded as having completed the retrieval; this will then be reviewed by the Academic Assessor. If the proficiencies are not completed in time, or there is no submission to Moodle, the student will be deemed to have failed their retrieval and will be required to retake the full placement in the following academic year, followed by a period of interruption.
Episode of Care. If the student has not passed at least one EoC, either because it has been taken and failed or because it has not been completed, a new EoC will need to be completed within the first 4 weeks of placement 4. If the EoC has failed, a new EoC will be added to the student’s ePAD. Students are required to submit evidence to Moodle, for example, a screenshot of the completed EoC, to be able to be recorded as having completed the retrieval; this will then be reviewed by the Academic Assessor. If the EoC is not completed in time, or there is no submission to Moodle, the student will be deemed to have failed their retrieval and will be required to retake the full placement in the following academic year, followed by a period of interruption.
Professional Values. If a student has failed any professional values, an action plan for each failed professional value must be entered into the student’s ePAD. This can be completed by the Practice Assessor or Practice Education Facilitator but should be supported by either the Academic Assessor or Coach in Practice. The student will need to complete a reflection explaining how they have changed their practice and how they have now met all failed professional values in practice. The reflection will need to be reviewed by the Practice Assessor, in combination with their own professional judgement, who must then complete the action plan for each failed professional value. The action plan must be signed to indicate that the PA has reviewed the student’s reflection and that the student has now demonstrated that professional value in practice. The student will be required to upload the reflection to Moodle to evidence completion of the professional values. If the Practice Assessor is unable to sign and complete the action plan to state that the professional value has been passed, or the student does not upload their reflection to Moodle, the student will be deemed to have failed their retrieval and will be required to retake the full placement in the following academic year, followed by a period of interruption.
Failure of the Hours requirement. If a student does not complete a minimum of 80% of the allocated placement hours, they will be required to undertake a 4-week, full-time, retrieval placement in the summer retrieval period. The ePAD will be updated to provide the standard retrieval documentation for this opportunity, including both a midpoint and final interview, so that the student can demonstrate that they have maintained their professional values. At the end of the retrieval period, the student will be required to submit a declaration to Moodle to indicate that they have completed the retrieval placement. If the student does not complete a minimum of 80% of the hours allocated within the retrieval, fails any professional values, or does not submit the declaration to Moodle by the published submission date, they will be deemed to have failed the retrieval and will be required to retake the full placement in the following academic year, followed by a period of interruption. Please also see the section below for guidance on students failing both placement 3 on hours completion and placement 4 for any reason.
Failing Placement 4
If Placement 4 is failed, the student will need to undertake a period of retrieval. This will be a full retrieval in the summer retrieval period.
The student will be required to complete all professional values as well as any missed proficiencies, EoC or Medications Management.
The student will be required to undertake the full retrieval if they failed the placement due to completing insufficient practice hours.
If the retrieval is failed, the student will need to interrupt their studies until the second semester of the next academic year and then undertake a repeat of Placement 4
If the retake of placement 4 is failed, the student will need to undertake a retrieval in the summer retrieval block. If that retrieval is failed, the student will be required to withdraw from the program.
If the placement has been passed, but the student has hours to make up, they may need to undertake an additional placement at the end of the part to make up missed placement hours.
Failing both Placement 3 on hours and Placement 4 for any reason
If a student fails both Placement 3 on hours and Placement 4 for any reason, they will be required to undertake a retrieval in the summer retrieval period for Placement 3 and another retrieval at the start of the September term for Placement 4.
If both retrievals are passed, the student will then need to interrupt their studies and return in the following academic year to commence Part 3 of the course.
If either retrieval is failed, then the student will need to undertake a retake of the relevant placement either in semester 1 or 2 (or both if both retrievals were failed), along with a possible period of interruption.
Failing Placement 5
The students will need to have a formal meeting with their personal tutor to discuss the failed placement, including what contributed to the failed placement and what adjustments or support may be needed to ensure that the student can be successful in the following placements.
Where insufficient placement hours have been completed, the personal tutor will need to discuss why the hours were missed and what mitigating measures the student will put in place to ensure full attendance moving forward.
An action plan must be developed and added to the ePAD. This will need to be highlighted to the following placement Practice Assessor.
The student will be able to progress to placement 6 if they have failed placement 5.
Failing Placement 6
Where Placement 6 is failed, the student will need to undertake a retrieval placement in the summer retrieval block.
If the student is unable to attend the retrieval on the set dates, for any reason, they will be permitted to undertake a retrieval at the start of the following academic year.
If the retrieval is failed, the student will need to interrupt their studies until the second semester of the next academic year and then undertake a repeat of Placement 6
If the retake of placement 6 is failed, the student will need to undertake a retrieval in the summer retrieval block. If that retrieval is failed, the student will be required to withdraw from the program.
Please note that not completing the full requirement of 2300 hours will not in itself be seen as a failure of the placement; however, the student cannot be taken through the exam board until the minimum of 2300 hours is completed.
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