Registered nurses are subject to statutory regulation by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The NMC sets the standards of competence required for entry to the professional register and these are the occupational standards for Registered nurses. The NMC also has the statutory duty to set requirements of programmes necessary to support the achievement of the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) in the occupational standard. The apprenticeship standard and the delivery of the apprentices training must be aligned to all relevant NMC standards to ensure that apprentices are eligible for entry to the NMC register on completion. It is against the law for anyone to work as a Registered nurse without being registered with the NMC. The end-point Assessment (EPA) assesses whether apprentices have also passed the apprenticeship, and is based on the same professional knowledge, skills and behaviours as the occupational standard.
This document sets out the requirements for EPA for the Registered nurse fully integrated apprenticeship standard. It is for the end-point assessment organisations (EPAO), that must be an NMC Approved Education Institution (AEI), who need to know how EPA for this apprenticeship must operate. It will also be of interest to apprentices and their employers.
Apprentices will typically spend 48 months on-programme working towards the occupational standard.
The EPA period should only start, and the EPA be arranged, once the employer and NMC Approved Education Institution are satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard and all of the pre-requisite gateway requirements for EPA have been met. It is expected that the gateway will be reached on completion of the final qualification module and before the AEI’s examination board.
Prior to commencement, apprentices will have their numeracy and literacy skills assessed by the NMC Approved Education Institution to ensure the apprentice has the necessary skills at a minimum of Level 2 to meet the requirements of the programme.
The EPA period is expected to last a maximum of 1 month beginning when the apprentice has passed the EPA gateway.
The EPA will determine the overall apprenticeship standard and grades of:
This apprenticeship has a fully integrated EPA. The EPA will use the assessment arrangements in use for other entry routes into this occupation and will be completed simultaneously, as outlined in this end-point assessment plan. Alignment of the integrated EPA is permitted because the following criteria are met:
1. Parliament has prescribed that the occupation (profession) must be regulated and a statutory regulator has undisputed control of access to the occupation.
2. The fully integrated EPA meets the requirements of an apprenticeship.
| On-programme (typically 48 months) | Training to develop the occupation standards knowledge, skills and behaviours (aligned to the NMC standards of proficiency for Registered nurses). |
| End-point assessment gateway | • Apprentice has met the knowledge, skills and behaviours • Employer and NMC Approved Educational Institution (AEI) are satisfied the apprentice has consistently demonstrated they meet the KSBs of the occupational standard. • Achieved English and mathematics at Level 2 • Achieved all required modules, taking into account any recognition of prior learning (RPL) of the following approved qualification:
• Practice Assessment Document (PAD) completed and signed-off by their practice and academic assessor. |
| End-point assessment (which would typically take place with 1 month) | The EPA starts with the examination board and finishes when the AEI makes the required declarations to the NMC. The apprentice is not required to carry out any additional assessments. • Consideration by the examination board and notice of the decision of the examination board. |
| Professional recognition | Registration with: Nursing and Midwifery Council |
The EPA period should only start once the employer and the NMC Approved Education Institution are satisfied that the apprentice is consistently working at or above the level set out in the occupational standard.
The EPA starts with exam board and finishes when the AEI:
The apprentice must have completed the following gateway requirements prior to beginning their EPA:
For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3 and British Sign Language qualification are an alternative to English qualifications for whom this is their primary language.
Apprentices must complete all required modules, taking into account any recognised prior learning (RPL) of the following approved qualifications as mandated in the occupational standard:
• Degree in Nursing or L7 qualification approved by the NMC (where the apprentice already holds a Level 6 degree)
The apprentice will also have successfully completed a Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and this will have been signed-off by their practice and academic assessor.
The EPA is:
Examination board
The examination board will be constituted in line with the NMC Approved Education Institution’s academic assessment regulations and must have an external examiner present when considering achievement of the NMC approved qualification.
Independence of the EPA will be assured through:
| Name of grade | Grade descriptor |
| Pass | Has met the NMC standards of proficiency for Registered nurses (2018) and the requirements for the declaration of good health and character. |
| Fail | Does not meet the NMC standards of proficiency for Registered nurses (2018) and/or the requirements for the declaration of good health and character. |
| Role | Responsibility |
| Apprentice | As a minimum, the apprentice should:
|
| Employer | As a minimum, the employer should:
|
| The EPAO (NMC Approved Education Institution) | As a minimum the EPAO (NMC Approved Education Institution) should:
|
| External examiner/ Independent Assessor | There will be one individual with the following responsibilities:
1. External Examiner in line with QAA Guidance on External Examiners/ Expertise for HE programmes 2. Independent Assessor who as a minimum should:
3. External Examiner for the End Point Assessment who will carry out required activities on behalf of the EQA provider |
Internal quality assurance refers to the requirements that EPAO’s must have in place to ensure
consistent (reliable) and accurate (valid) assessment decisions. EPAO’s for this EPA must:
In line with the EPAO’s (NMC Approved Education Institution) procedures.
This apprenticeship is based on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s standards of proficiency and education programme standards for Registered nurses. This means that those who successfully complete the apprenticeship will be eligible to apply for registration with the NMC.
The EPAO (NMC Approved Education Institution) must have in place clear and fair arrangements for making reasonable adjustments for this apprenticeship standard. This should include how an apprentice qualifies for reasonable adjustments and what reasonable adjustments will be made. The adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the assessment decisions outlined in this EPA plan.