The Role
The nursing associate is a new support role in England that bridges the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of the nursing team. Nursing associates work with people of all ages in a variety of settings in health and social care.
The role was introduced in response to the Shape of Caring Review (2015), to help build the capacity of the nursing workforce and the delivery of high-quality care.
Student Resources: Preparing your Future as a Nursing Associate
Benefits for the Practice
- Improve service delivery and patient care
Benefits for the Patient
- Support the career progression of healthcare assistants
- Improve staff retention and growing your own workforce
- Enable nurses to focus on more complex clinical work
- Increase the supply of nurses by providing a progression route into graduate-level nursing.
Training & Development
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. This can be done through an Apprenticeship.
To find out more about the role or register your interest in training as a nursing associate, please visit the nursing associate website here.
