Birmingham and Solihull Training Hub (BSol TH) have funded the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme. Our aim is to promote General Practice as a first choice career path for recruitment into the workforce across BSol. 

About the scheme

The RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme aims to attract people into nursing. Open to people between the ages of 16 and 25, this is a ten-module course widening access to nursing to anyone in this age group.

The aim of the scheme is:

  • To diversify and widen access to nursing.
  • To engage the next generation earlier in exploring nursing and healthcare as a career.
  • To increase basic skills in healthcare provision including basic life support and manual handling.
  • To provide access and exposure to clinical placement learning opportunities in the healthcare profession.

Cadets gain certificates for the units they undertake, which include learning modules and a 20-hour clinical observation placement in primary care.  Once completed, cadets submit a portfolio of reflection and gain a completion certificate. They are then supported to take decisions on next steps, which can include a level 2 or 3 related diploma, a nursing associate foundation degree/apprenticeship, or an undergraduate nursing degree.

We collaborated with South and City College to identify students to undertake this scheme. They were able to identify 13 students.

They all had a placement in General Practice for a 13 hour observational placement. BSol TH delivered a 7 hour induction day with the cadets. This included a presentation on the following:

  • Primary Care FAQs
  • The General Practice workforce
  • A day in the life of a HCSW and learning opportunities
  • Overview on Chaperoning and confidence in raising concerns
  • Long term condition overview including a personalised care approach
  • Blood pressure and pulse overview
  • Introduction to wound care
  • Escape room activity

The Cadets attended their General Practice placement the week commencing the 29th April 2024. All of the RCN cadets and host practices have been sent feedback forms on the experience and we are awaiting all those responses to be able to evaluate this pilot. We will share the evaluation with you all in the next newsletter.

Here are a few quotes from the RCN Cadets on the day along with some photos of their escape room activity

I didn’t realise there were so many roles in General Practice

The presentation on chaperoning was really useful