Devon Care Home Celebrates First Nursing Apprentice Graduate

Sanctuary Care’s Fernihurst Nursing Home in Exmouth is celebrating local care assistant, Billy Pattison, the first ever graduate of its Nursing Associates Apprenticeship Programme, part of a nationwide scheme which seeks to futureproof the care sector.

Billy (age 31) is the first apprentice from the Devon care home to gain the level 5 foundation degree. He will now be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and move into a permanent role of registered nursing associate.

Funded by not-for-profit care provider, Sanctuary Care and in a partnership with Plymouth University, the scheme seeks to upskill care assistants and supplement nursing teams, whilst tackling recruitment challenges facing the social care sector.

Moving from a career in the army, Billy joined the care sector as a domestic and kitchen assistant, but soon realised nursing was his true calling.

He started his apprenticeship during the pandemic whilst working on the front-line in the Exmouth home, which provides dementia and nursing care for elderly residents in the community.

Th scheme has enabled Billy to continue to earn an income and gain valuable sector experience, whilst studying for nationally recognised qualifications to advance his career.

Billy Pattison said: “It wasn’t until I started working in care that I understood the vital job that care assistants and nursing teams do, day in and day out. Whilst I soon decided that I wanted to move into nursing, I didn’t feel that being at university full time was the right path for me.

“The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship has been great, not just in terms of my own career, but also for the home, enabling the nurses to focus on their role with my support in picking up clinical tasks. I am excited for what the future holds and would advise anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it!”

Hollie Prowse, care home manager at Fernihurst Nursing Home, commented: “We are extremely proud of Billy for completing the Nursing Associates Apprenticeship! We’ve been so impressed with how hard he has worked. He goes above and beyond every day to support our nursing teams and enrich the lives of all our residents.”

For more information on Sanctuary Care’s Nursing Associate Apprenticeship, visit: www.sanctuary-care.co.uk.