Qualification

HNC (SCQF Level 7)

Interests

  • Care

Why take this course?

The purpose of this course is to prepare our future healthcare professionals to thrive within today’s health and social care services. You will be provided with the skills, knowledge and critical ability to provide person-centred care.

You will mainly work with people over the age of 16. Your role will involve working with individuals, families and communities to promote health and wellbeing, prevent illness and enable people to maintain and improve their physical and mental health.

You will be expected to support individuals through all stages of the life cycle including end-of-life and palliative care.

This course is for those intending to apply for Year 1 of a Paramedic Practice, Midwifery or Children and Young People Nursing degree on completing the course.

The HNC Healthcare Practice: Nursing DegreeLink Route is for those wishing to articulate into Year 2 of an Adult or Mental Health Nursing degree at RGU, or a Learning Disabilities Nursing degree at Edinburgh Napier University after the course.

What you will experience

  • Clinical Skills for Care Practitioners: Clinical skills such as basic observations, injection techniques and wound care which prepares you for practical work on placement
  • Graded Unit: A project, in the form of an investigation, which is used to assess the application of all your knowledge and skills gained during your HNC
  • Human Body in Health and Illness: Gives you an understanding of the human body and how it functions
  • Mental Health and Mental Illness: Investigates the prevalence of mental health and gain an understanding of different types of illness
  • Professional Standards for Care Practice: Insight into your values and investigates NMC codes
  • Safe Working Practice for Care: Examines legislation and relevance in nursing
  • Sociology and Health in Scotland: Explores society’s impact on health decisions people make and learn about sociological theories
  • Therapeutic Relationships: Helps you understand the importance of  communication and the link between your client and psychological theory
  • Understanding Personal and Professional Development: Enables you to be more reflective and resilient.

Placements

There is a large placement element to this course and you must be able to commit to shift work.

As a NESCol student, you will have to complete 400 hours of placement practice. This may include shift work. Please note there will be no specific Paramedic Practice, Children’s or Midwifery placements. You will be placed in a healthcare placement in a hospital or community setting working mainly with adults. This is to provide you with the experience required for entry to Year 1 of your chosen degree.