Health and Social Care

If you’d like to train as an adult, mental health or learning disability nurse or paramedic, but lack the necessary qualifications, this could be the course for you. Access to Nursing is part of the Scottish Widening Access Programme (SWAP) and is specifically for people who have been out of full-time education for at least 5 years. It prepares adult returners for entry into Higher Education and can lead to a place at college or university. Access to Nursing programmes have helped many adults become aware of their abilities and given them the self-confidence to successfully progress to a nursing degree.

For entry to this course you’ll need:

• a real interest in working with people
• an interview with us during which you will complete a short written activity - A satisfactory reference

ESOL entry requirements

• Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.
• You should be aware that you will be asked to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme on all care course at level 6 or above and occupationally fit for practice.

Selection Process

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

This course develops your skills and knowledge in preparation for a nursing degree.

Here’s some of the units you’ll study:

• Values and Principles in Care - the health and social care provision available in Scotland to meet people’s needs, legislation, and positive care environment and practice. 
• Social Influences - a sociology based unit which looks at the impact of social influences on people’s life chances, and what society can do to improve these.
• Human Development & Behaviour - a psychology based unit which looks at different stages of development across the life span and the effects of life experiences on people.
• Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness - the difference between the two, current perceptions, effects on behaviour, treatment and legislation for people’s rights.
• Stress and Stress Management - identifying causes, symptoms and the effects of stress, and investigating techniques and coping strategies to help manage it.
• Human Body - the main body parts and systems, and how they are affected by disease or injury.
• Caring for People with Dementia - understanding dementia, identifying skills and strategies to meet the needs of dementia sufferers, and how to support carers.
• Medical Terminology - vocabulary for body systems, abbreviations and drug classifications.
• First Aid and Health Promotion - You’ll build transferable Essential Skills in meaningful contexts to help you become more effective in life, learning, and work. This could be communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others, and problem solving.

Throughout the course, you’ll hear from a range of guest speakers, including people from the health board and local care services. 

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of: - Moving onto HNC Healthcare Practice - Applying to a number of Nursing related degree courses, such as BSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health, BSc Child Nursing, BSc Learning Disability or BSc Paramedic Science.

You will develop the caring skills and qualities essential for working in health care. Some examples of skills include: 

• Communications skills 
• Employability skills such as timekeeping and being able to use your own initiative 
• Digital skills which are becoming essential to work and home life. 
• Leadership and team working skills. 

Nursing | NHSScotland Careers