Marvin OnumonuSheffield Hallam University has been working with University Campus Doncaster on a four-year part-time adult nursing degree to help tackle NHS staff shortages.
The programme was set up to help people who might not have been able to train as nurses before due to work or family commitments.
The course was designed with local healthcare partners so students learn the skills needed in the area.
Dr Robin Lewis, senior lecturer in the college of health, wellbeing and life sciences at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We want to encourage newly qualified students to consider a career in general practice from the start, and this module enables us to provide them with an insight into the world of general practice.
“We are proud to work with the South Yorkshire Primary Care Hub team on this module – it clearly demonstrates our commitment to collaborative working through supporting and developing regional partnerships.
“Our aspiration is to develop a comprehensive portfolio of educational programmes that support primary care career pathways, helping to address the ongoing workforce crisis in general practice nursing whilst ensuring the NHS has the skilled health professionals it needs for the future.”
The university has also run a module called “Discovering a nursing career in General Practice”, funded by NHS England and delivered in partnership with the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce Training Hub.
The module was recently offered to part-time nursing students at University Campus Doncaster after many showed interest in general practice nursing.
The part-time programme was set up to support local communities and has brought in a wide range of students with different backgrounds.
Emma Thompson, director of nursing at South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce Training Hub, said: “The Hub has a positive, productive, and longstanding relationship with Sheffield Hallam University.
“From our perspective, the collaboration with Robin and his team to develop and deliver the Discovering a Nursing Career in General Practice has been a great success.
“The student nurses have consistently found the teaching delivered by the training hub nurse educators to be relevant and interesting.”
Thompson added: “They have also had time to discuss how to access general practice as a first destination career.”
Kirsty Darbyshire, curriculum leader health and sport at University Campus Doncaster, said: “The collaboration has created supportive learning communities where students develop both personally and professionally.
“The curriculum reflects the evolving landscape of health and social care, focusing not only on clinical skills but also on building compassionate, confident practitioners who understand the complexity of modern healthcare delivery.
“As the first cohort approaches graduation, many students have already secured roles in the local healthcare system, with others planning further specialisation or leadership development.”
Darbyshire added: “The programme has opened doors, built confidence, and created pathways to meaningful nursing careers.”
