If you are a qualified registered nurse or midwife, you may be able to do a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

This typically takes a year and 6 months to complete as a mix of learning on the job and study.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

• to be a registered nurse

You can apply for health visitor training if you're a registered midwife or nurse in any branch of nursing.

You'll need to complete the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - Health Visiting course which is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Your training can be full time or part time and will last between 1 to 2 years.

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• active listening skills
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be flexible and open to change
• administration skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

As a health visitor, you could:

• advise new parents on baby feeding, hygiene, safety and sleep
• support parents with their children's development needs
• coordinate child immunisation programmes
• organise clinics or drop in centres
• work with social services and other organisations to safeguard and protect children

You could work at a client's home, at a health centre or at a GP practice.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.