The first qualified nursing associates became the latest addition to the health and care workforce in England recently, after the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) opened its register to the new profession.
Around 1,800 nursing associates are expected to qualify over the course of the next few months. The nursing associate role bridges the gap between unregulated healthcare assistants and registered nurses. The role was announced by the Government in 2016 and was developed by Health Education England (HEE).
Nursing associates will support better, safer care for people of all ages and in a variety of health and social care settings, from care homes and A&E to schools, and GP surgeries.
They will work as part of the wider health and care team, contributing to the core work of nursing, delivering care independently and carrying out a range of activities from administering medication, and dressing wounds to promoting healthy lifestyle choices and wellbeing.
The role will help to free up registered nurses to focus on more complex care duties.
The introduction of nursing associates is also helping to widen access to the health and care professions by opening up new routes to training that previously didn’t exist. Trainees are able to earn while they learn, via an apprenticeship, making it an attractive option, particularly for those who may have been working as healthcare assistants for a number of years and who want to progress.
While qualified nursing associates may chose to remain in the role permanently, others will want to go on to train to become nurses.
NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “Today is a landmark moment, and I’m delighted to welcome the first nursing associates on to our register.
“The high standards that we set will ensure that this new profession plays a vital role in supporting registered nurses, promoting health and wellbeing and improving safety and the quality of care in England in the years to come.”
Health Minister, Stephen Hammond said: “Today marks an exciting milestone with the start of thousands of nursing associates joining the NHS over the coming years – bringing with them valuable skills which will have a hugely beneficial impact on patients. They will support nurses to deliver safe, high-quality care, crucially freeing up their time to focus on more specialised areas of patient treatment.
“Our decision to regulate nursing associates is not only a recognition of the enormous contribution they make, but will empower them to work to their full potential and place them on a firm foundation for a long and successful career in the NHS.”
Professor Ian Cumming, Chief Executive, Health Education England said: “The first group of nursing associates moving from training into work as registered professionals is a major milestone for the individuals who have worked hard to get to this stage and the NHS and patients who will