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Nursing associates
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The nursing associate is a clinical support role that bridges the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. Created to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of nursing teams. The Nursing Associate role works in a variety of settings in health and social care and with people of all ages.
This webpage contains information for health and care employer organisations that are interested in learning more about the role of Nursing Associates.
If you are interested in becoming a nursing associate, or know someone who might be interested, please go to the dedicated Nursing Associates website here.
The role helps build the capacity of the nursing workforce for delivering high-quality care.
Nursing Associates hold a pivotal role within the broader health and care team, providing crucial support in several areas. They facilitate the advancement of healthcare support workers' careers, allow nurses to concentrate on more intricate clinical tasks, and contribute to expanding the nursing workforce by offering a pathway towards becoming a qualified nurse.
Employers who incorporate the nursing associate role into their overarching workforce planning and skills diversification strategies stand to gain numerous advantages. These include improved service delivery and enhanced patient care quality, a boost in staff retention due to expanded career growth prospects, the opportunity to cultivate an internal nursing workforce, and an investment in a well-established training programme accredited by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
Resources
Aspiring Trainee Nursing Associate Functional Skills
Trainee Nursing Associates in Primary Care Pathway
Nursing associates: Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for employers
Nursing Associate Job Description guidance
Nursing Associate Curriculum Framework
The nursing associate role is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
To become a registered nursing associate, individuals must pass a foundation degree awarded by an NMC-approved provider, typically taken over two years. The programme includes both academic and work-based learning and prepares trainees to work with people of all ages and in a variety of settings in health and social care.
You may need to present a business case to your board to secure the required investment to develop this role in your organisation.
Visit the NHS Employers website for information on training and funding nursing associates.