Tackling the mental health nurse shortage: First graduates qualify through University of Bolton, Greater Manchester and Priory apprenticeship scheme

A cohort of 19 apprentices are the first to graduate from a new programme which aims to help tackle a nationwide mental health nurse shortage.

The University of Bolton, Greater Manchester and Priory launched the nurse degree apprenticeship programme jointly in 2021.

In total, Priory has enrolled more than 125 nurse apprenticeships to date, with most beginning their careers as healthcare assistants at Priory.

Now, the first apprentices have graduated to become full-time nurses and one of them, Morgan Taylor, has been recognised by the University of Bolton, Greater Manchester as ‘Apprentice of the Year’.

Morgan enrolled in the nurse apprenticeship programme in September 2021 while employed as a healthcare assistant at Priory Hospital Ticehurst.

She said: “I started this course with little confidence in my ability to become a nurse, but over the years I have felt more confident and comfortable in my skills.

“I feel really proud of myself. I truly feel like I’ve found my calling and I am looking forward to becoming a newly qualified nurse in the next few months.

“I never thought that I would be up for an award, let alone for Apprentice of the Year. I am so very grateful to everyone that has supported me through the past three years.”

The nurse degree apprenticeship course delivers industry-recognised standards, with elements of on-the-job and off-the-job training.

Qualified nurses from Priory have taught as part of the collaboration, while all nurse apprentices on the programme receive experience in providing patient care at Priory hospitals.

Morgan recalled her biggest challenge was overcoming a period of poor mental health during her second training year.

She said: “I struggled to the point I thought the only way through it was to have to leave the course. However, with the support of my peers, family, my tutor Cath and Hannah at the University of Bolton, I was able to continue.

“I now feel, as someone who has previously been supported by mental health nurses, that I have valuable insight into how to support my patients.”

Hannah Kerry, Programme Lead for Mental Health Nursing at the University of Bolton, Greater Manchester, said: “Morgan's dedication shines through in everything she does, making her an outstanding individual who gives her all. She has been a pleasure to have on the programme, and we wish her every success in her career as a mental health nurse.”

New figures released this week (Monday 28 October) by the university admissions service UCAS and the Royal College of Nursing, reveal the number of people accepted onto university nursing courses fell by up to 40 per cent in parts of England between 2020 and 2023.

There are 748,528 Nurses on the permanent NMC register in the UK, according to latest figures, including 97,530 mental health nurses, but there are 46,828 nursing vacancies in the NHS alone.

This has led to Priory recruiting and developing specialist nurses more innovatively than ever before, through projects like the nurse apprenticeship programme.

Colin Quick, chief quality officer and chief nurse at Priory, said: “We’re proud to see the first cohort of Priory nurse degree apprentices graduate and become fully qualified nurses.

“Every one of them will go on to make a lasting impact on the lives of many, many people. There can be no more rewarding career. I have been hugely impressed by their commitment, professionalism and compassion.”

To enquire about pursuing a nursing apprenticeship, contact vacancies@priorygroup.com or visit the careers at Priory website.