Specialist

FAQS

Who are nursing associates?

A fairly new role in the nursing team, nursing associates are found in all fields of nursing. The role is to collaborate with both healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public. Working across all fields of nursing, nursing associates undertake clinical tasks, perform clinical observations such as temperature, respirations, and blood pressure, as well as supporting patients and their families during what can be a difficult time.

Nursing associates are a new nursing role for the future that is achieved through a training programme that provides people with a foundation degree. They’re helping ensure that nursing - and the way care is delivered - is prepared to meet the needs of the future. By creating this role, the health and social care system places less pressure on both healthcare support workers and registered nurses as well. Plus, it helps patients too, as they’ll have nursing associates to provide quality, hands-on, person-centered care as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Although nursing associates are their own incredible role, it is also a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse. Some nursing associates may undertake the nursing degree apprenticeship that will provide them with the qualifications to become a nurse, whilst paying them for their clinical work. Nursing degree apprenticeships typically take four years to complete, but, nursing associate training may shorten this by half.

What’s it really like?

The nursing associate role is a new one, and is likely to grow and develop further over the coming years. Despite it being a relatively new role, it’s already making a significant impact - both to the patients who interact with nursing associates, but also to the professionals themselves.

Patients are supported by a hands-on role that works with other healthcare professionals to successfully provide care. They know that there is plenty of support from the nursing team, and that their concerns and needs are going to be met and treated with care.

The role has transformed the way that other healthcare professionals on the nursing team can perform their jobs. Registered nurses can work collaboratively with nursing associates and can be safe in the knowledge that patient care is being delivered at a consistently high-quality. Additionally, healthcare support workers can be supported in their role, as there are nursing associates on hand to provide assistance or support wherever necessary.

The training to become a nursing associate is, in a similar way to other pathways in nursing, delivered through a blend of university learning and placement opportunities. Once qualified, nursing associates will have achieved a foundation degree, and this is most often delivered in an apprenticeship programme. Typically, this training will take two years to complete.

Once qualified, nursing associates can even act as practice supervisors for student nurses or assessors for trainee nursing associates. This means that not only are patients benefitting from the knowledge of nursing associates, but also aspiring colleagues too.

In a similar manner to nurses or even midwives, the nursing associate role is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This means that in order to work as a qualified nursing associate, you would have to be registered with the NMC and renew your registration every three years, which is often referred to as revalidation. This requirement is to ensure that you’re competent, and abiding by the expectations of the NMC - it also helps nursing associates understand particular areas to improve.

What do I need to do to become a nursing associate?

Most nursing associates are trained in a similar way to health and social care apprenticeships. This means that over the course of the two years of training, trainees would spend their time between academic settings and clinical placements. There are a variety of settings that nursing associates can be place in, encompassing many different areas of care. With apprenticeships, trainees would spend most of their time in clinical settings, working a mix of shift patterns. Additionally, their training is funded, and they’re paid by the employer for their work.

An alternative way that people can become trainee nursing associates is through applying to universities directly. This is a different scenario, and changes some aspects of the training. Trainees through this route will spend more of their time in the classroom, and will also have to fund their own study. Part-time study is currently not available.

The way in which applicants can apply for these courses varies, depending on the route that is best for them. For nursing associates wishing to train via the university route, places can be found directly through universities or UCAS.

Aspiring trainee nursing associates coming through via an apprenticeship are able to search for vacancies on a healthcare provider’s website. Once accepted, the candidate would join the employer, and work for the care provider whilst training to become a nursing associate.

Some vacancies are only available to people with prior clinical experience, or even to those already employed by the healthcare provider in a different role, such as that of a healthcare support worker. However, this isn’t always the case - some opportunities are available to all, as candidates would receive a comprehensive clinical introduction. It’s incredibly important to spend time checking the details of a vacancy, as it’ll indicate whether experience is desired or essential.

All trainee nursing associates will need GCSEs grade 9-4 in Maths and English, and some employers may ask for evidence of a Level 3 qualification such as A-levels, Level 3 certificates, diplomas, or awards. If aspiring trainees don’t have these qualificiations, they would be asked to sit a numeracy and literacy assessment.

Can I receive financial support?

Trainee nursing associates undertaking an apprenticeship are provided with financial support, primarily through the fact that whilst studying and gaining clinical experience, you will be paid as you’re employed by the healthcare provider. This is to ensure that you will be able to effectively be supported throughout your studies, and whilst you’re caring for others.

For trainee nursing associates applying directly with a university, you woul have to provide the course costs. However, there is some financial support available through Student Finance England, in the same way as it is available for other undergraduate courses. Health Education England - the organisation that supoprts healthcare delivery and training - may be able to provide a one-off payment of £1000 to help cover living or transport costs.

What do I need to know?

Nursing associates are a new role, and are currently only available in England. If you are considering a nursing role in another area of the UK, then at the moment, the nursing associate role wouldn’t be available.

The standard working week of a nursing associate is 37.5 hours per week, and like other roles in the nursing team, will consist of a mix of different shifts.

From April 2022, all applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the course, or provide valid proof of medical exemption. Health and social care professionals are subject to the UK government’s vaccine mandate, meaning that all people working in health and social care settings are required to be vaccinated.

Where do I apply?

If you’re looking to be based in England and interested in becoming a nursing associate, or training to become one on your journey to become a qualified nurse, there are a few places that you can apply. It’s important to know this isn’t an exhaustive list - but it should point you in the right direction.

Health Education England

As part of the NHS, Health Education England is committed to improving the quality of services through education reform. They often highlight many vacancies for aspiring nursing associates.

Health Jobs UK

As an independent health and social care jobs board, Health Jobs UK highlights trainee nursing associate opportunities throughout different areas of the sector.

National Careers Service

This government run site hosts different courses and career opportunities for you to search - allowing you to apply for the pathway into nursing that’s best for you.

NHS

The UK’s largest healthcare provider, providing universal healthcare for those who need care. The NHS is an invaluable source of possibilities for those wanting to train as nursing associates.

Nurses.co.uk

An online resource dedicated to hosting vacancies throughout the nursing profession, from both universal and private care providers.

Nursingnetuk.com

An affiliate of Health Jobs UK, this site provides information on a variety of vacancies within the nursing team.

Spire Healthcare

As a private healthcare provider, Spire offers opportunities for those wanting to register their interest in training as a nursing associate.

UCAS - Apprenticeships

UCAS provides an overview of different apprenticeship opportunities that aspiring nursing associates may wish to pursue.

UCAS - Universities

As the traditional destination for applying to university, UCAS is the place to go to look for self-funded nursing associate courses.

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FAQS

Nursing associates - a role for those who care