Students on an Access course that was revived through the Forth Valley University College NHS Partnership to help local people SWAP careers and enter into nursing, has helped the entire class to move into higher education or employment.
The Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) Access to Nursing course returned to Forth Valley College in 2023 to give opportunities to adults returning to study after a period away from education. It is specifically designed for returners who do not have the necessary qualifications to gain a place on a Higher National (HN) course or a degree level university qualification.
However, successful completion of this course could lead to degree study at the University of Stirling or other Scottish universities, and the most recent cohort of 11 SWAP students have taken advantage of the pathway to secure further study places on HND and degree level courses.
Heidi Anderson (38) from Falkirk never thought she would study at university after leaving school, but after completing the SWAP Access to Nursing course, that is exactly where she is heading.
She said: “I found the facilities and support at Forth Valley College very useful especially after being out of education for a long time, and the lecturers were approachable and willing to help when needed.
“The SWAP Access to Nursing course has benefited me as I didn’t do that great in school. Since leaving school I have earned more qualifications during my time as a care assistant.
“Completing this course will give me the grades I need to progress onto university to complete my nursing degree. I would recommend this course as it gives you a great insight into the health care profession and to add to the qualifications you may already have. School is not for everyone, but I found going back after 20 years that this course has helped me adapt back into the education setting.”
Nes Bassalat (18) from Edinburgh completed the SWAP Access to Nursing course has is looking forward to going to university and building a great career in health care.
She said: “I chose to study at FVC because I wanted a fresh start where I didn't know anyone, giving me the chance to explore a new area and try something different instead of staying in my home city. I also wanted a new experience at a stronger college, and I felt I could find my path and build new friendships there.
“The lectures at Forth Valley College are extremely supportive and helpful. They explain things clearly and encourage students to do their best. They care about your progress and help you improve and achieve more than you thought you could. The learning support bases are really good and help you with your work when you need extra support. I found this very useful and I'm grateful for their support.
“Studying at the College has benefited me by allowing me to experience a new environment away from my home city. This helped me develop my social skills and helped me become more confident and independent.
“Forth Valley College has supported my progression by providing guidance, including help with university applications. The staff genuinely care about students’ futures and work hard to ensure we are prepared for the next steps in our careers or education.
Hayley Martin (29) from Bo’ness is heading to Napier University to complete her nursing degree after completing the Forth Valley College SWAP Access to Nursing course.
She said: “At the beginning, I was quite hesitant and unsure about transitioning back into a ‘school’ environment, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I've genuinely enjoyed every minute of this course. While I'll be sad to leave, I'm so excited and grateful that it has given me the opportunity to move on to university.
“All the lecturers that have taught me have been amazing, I couldn’t fault any of them, they are very patient and helpful, no problem has ever been too big or small.
“This course has benefited me massively. I have gained more confidence within myself and feel I am not the same person I was when I started in a positive way.
“Completing the course will help me move onto university and hopefully allow me to become a learning disabilities nurse. It has helped me with every step of the process from personal statement to application to now having a conditional offer for Napier University.
“I would recommend this course to others because it is really beneficial and it goes in so quickly and you learn so much without even realizing it.”
Forth Valley College Health Care Lecturer Robin Young, said: “This group of SWAP students have been very dedicated to their studies, and it was fantastic to see their growth in confidence throughout their course, despite being out of education for a number of years. They have worked hard to achieve their personal outcomes that they set for themselves.”
Forth Valley College Health Care Lecturer Stephen Russell, added: “They have grown close as a group despite not knowing each other, supporting each other and overcoming challenges throughout their course. They have all been successful in gaining a place at colleges and universities, in their chosen health care field.
“Robin and I would both like to take this opportunity to wish them every success on the next stage of their journey.”
It is hoped graduates from the course will provide a continuous number of highly trained nurses from the Forth Valley area, to help to support NHS Forth Valley. More information SWAP Access to Nursing | Forth Valley College
This ambitious partnership collaboration between the College, the University of Stirling and NHS Forth Valley – launched in October 2022 - aims to improve patient care and treatment for communities across the region for years to come. Building on a long-standing relationship between the three institutions, it is working across four priority areas: learning, careers, research and innovation.
The partnership will deliver transformational change to the health and social care of the area through the delivery of new learning and development opportunities for students and staff, and become a nerve centre for world-class research and innovation developed to directly respond to the needs of local people.
Subject areas covered in the revived course include: Communications, Numeracy, Care Higher units, ICT, Biology, Health Care units, and completion can allow students to progress onto Degrees in Adult Nursing; Mental Health Nursing; Child Nursing; Learning Disabilities Nursing; and HNCs in Social Services; and Health Care Practice.
The programme is specifically designed for adults who are returning to education after a gap, and who have the motivation and ability to go on to study at university or for a higher level qualification at college.
More information on the innovative short courses: Prep for Care Practice; Introduction to Nursing; and Introduction to a Career in Social Care, can be found by visiting this link: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/care
All of these courses could lead on to full-time study on the HNC Healthcare Practice also offered at Forth Valley College and possible further progression to degree level study at the University of Stirling.
More information on all these courses and how to apply can be found by visiting this link: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/about-us/fv-nhs-partnership
Visit the Forth Valley NHS University College partnership website for more information: https://fvnhsuniversitycollege.org.
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