Eighteen Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) T Level Health (Nursing) students have begun valuable work placements thanks to a collaboration with Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.
Health (Nursing) is one of a suite of new T Level qualifications available at BTC. These two-year technical courses are equivalent to three A Levels and have been developed with employers, ensuring students gain the right combination of core skills, occupational knowledge and sector expertise needed to thrive in the workplace. An industry placement is a key part of the programme, enabling students to apply what they have learned in the classroom in a real-world setting, enhance it with practical experience, and develop workplace skills, such as managing relationships.
The T Level Health (Nursing) students will complete at least 315 hours in a placement to achieve their qualifications. The majority of this time will be spent in a healthcare setting at Musgrove Park Hospital, but will also include time in a health and social care setting.
During their placements, the students will spend time on surgical and medical wards, at community hospitals and in a private healthcare wing. Supervised throughout by staff who will support the students developing the skills needed as part of the T level programme, students will undertake a range of tasks, such as taking physiological measurements, supporting the completion of individuals’ care plans, and risk assessments.
T Level Health (Nursing) student Ellie Groves said
The ward I was placed on was really nice. The placement was organised, and I was met outside by a member of staff. I was feeling nervous, but this was short lived as the staff were so nice and offered me reassurance. Throughout the day I was placed on a bay with six patients and I supported them with their day-to-day care. I was involved in taking patient obs and completing patient records. I worked alongside my mentor all day. I am really looking forward to going back for my next shift.
Dan Hoare, Careers and Workforce Development Lead at NHS Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said
For the Trust, we want to build a talent pipeline for the future. Each year, another group of 16-19 year olds enrols on a T Level programme who have a passion for helping people, a passion for care, and the desire to improve health and wellbeing. It is my opinion that there is no better way for us to find and forge long-standing relationships with these individuals than by offering a substantial range of industry placements. Through this, we hope to give students the skills and knowledge they need to flourish in their chosen future NHS career, and play their part in delivering outstanding patient care on behalf of the Trust and NHS.
Mel Leavy, Course Leader, said
Musgrove Park Hospital already works closely with BTC on Apprenticeships, so we’re delighted that they want to work with us on the new T Level too. Like us, MPH recognises that T Levels are an excellent feeder into their workforce because work placements form such a core element of the qualification. The T Level in Health is an excellent pathway into higher qualifications, such as our Adult Nursing degrees and degree Apprenticeship programmes, all available at BTC or the University Centre Somerset, so there are excellent progression routes available for those who want to pursue a career in this essential and rewarding sector.
BTC offers a range of T Levels in subjects including Health (Nursing), Digital, Education & Childcare, Finance, Accounting, On-site Construction and Engineering. For more information, see our T Levels page or come to our Taunton campus January open event. For information about Higher Education Nursing and Health and Care courses, visit the University Centre Somerset website.
