Developing a foundation information and academic skills programme for potential Student Nursing Associates.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Library and Information Science

Background:

• Student Nursing Associate (SNA) programs require specific applicant preparedness.
• Healthcare support workers often face challenges transitioning to academic study.
• Library anxiety can be a barrier for individuals seeking further education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the development of the 'Prepare to Progress' pre-application program for SNA applicants.
• To assess the program's impact on applicant understanding, decision-making, and confidence.
• To demonstrate the role of library services in supporting healthcare education.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative development of a pre-application program by Library and Knowledge Services and Professional Education teams.
• Program focused on realistic course expectations, study skills, and library service utilization.
• Evaluation of participant outcomes including course understanding, application decisions, and academic confidence.

Main Results:

• Participants showed increased understanding of the SNA course.
• Improved decision-making regarding program applications was observed.
• Enhanced academic confidence and reduced library anxiety reported by participants.

Conclusions:

• The 'Prepare to Progress' program effectively prepares SNA applicants.
• Library services play a vital role in supporting healthcare support workers' educational advancement.
• The program benefits both participants and the library services involved.