Roles and Levels of Practice
Career progression for nurses and the nursing staff has been the focus of a revised General Practice Nursing Education and Career Framework which aims to support their changing role in primary care.
Within the general practice team, the Career Framework identifies 6 levels of practice that cover core capabilities for specific roles, to support the sustainability and growth of the workforce and provide a clear career structure for staff. The 6 tiers may include:
- Support Work Level Practice
- Nursing Associate/Assistant Practitioner
- Registered Nurse / General Practice Nurse
- Enhanced Level Nurse (e.g. Senior Practice Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Specialist Nurse, Nurse Manager)
- Advanced Level Nurse (not a role, but a level of practice)
- Consultant Level Nurse (not a role, but a level of practice)
Other career development opportunities may include:
- Multi-professional Fellowships
- Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA)
- Enhanced Clinical Practitioner. Enhanced Clinical Practitioners are qualified health and social care professionals who are working at an Enhanced Level of practice with specific knowledge and skills in a field of expertise. These include Nurse Practitioners, Specialist Nurses and Nurse Leaders.
- Advanced Clinical Practice
- Clinical Supervision for General Practice Nursing
- Clinical Supervision for General Practice Nursing (Support for employers)
- Practitioner with Extended Role (PwER)
Educational/Supervisor Roles
Practice Supervisor
- A Practice Supervisor is any registered professional. For example, a Nurse, Paramedic, Physiotherapist or even a Nursing Associate once qualified. They must be registered with a professional regulator like the NMC, GMC or HCPC. They can support Pre-reg Nursing students, Trainee Nursing Associates, Pre – reg Paramedics, Pre-reg Social Workers, etc. Becoming a Practice Supervisor PDF
Practice Assessor
- Practice Assessors must be a registered Nurse or Midwife. PAs help students develop their professional competence and confidence, assessing their practice learning placements. They can support Pre-reg Nursing students, Trainee Nursing Associates, Pre – reg Paramedics, Pre-reg Social Workers, etc. Becoming a Practice Assessor PDF
Return to Practice
If you are a Qualified Nurse or Midwife with lapsed registration after a career break, you will need to update your skills and meet certain requirements to re-register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Return to Practice programmes comprise study days, directed learning and supervised practice placements. Participants on the Return to Practice programme are eligible for funding.
