Nursing Associate

Nursing Associates work with Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses to deliver care for patients and the public.

You will work across all four fields of nursing: adult, children’s, mental health, and learning disability. You will perform clinical tasks such as blood pressure, temperature and pulse, support people and their families whilst unwell, record notes. Your work will be vital to the health and care team, as you will bridge the gap between health care support and nurses.

Nursing Associate is also known as Apprentice Nurse.

Role Characteristics

Support people and their families when faced with unwelcome news and life changing diagnoses
Perform and record clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse
Share information with Nurses on a patient’s condition, behaviour, and responses
Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
Work with other health and care professionals to provide the best care
Promote good health

Skills

Active listening
Empathy
Team work
Communication
Working under pressure

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out about the work of two Nursing Associates on a critical care unit.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

BTEC

A-Levels

Degree apprenticeship

How to become

You will normally need 5 GCSES including English and Maths.
You will need to complete the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Programme. You will need to show that you can study for a foundation degree level and complete the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship Programme.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

To practice as a Nursing Associate, you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

Qualified Nursing Associates can also go on to train as a registered Nurse or Midwife. Your Nursing Associate training may shorten a registered Nurse degree apprenticeship to 2 years.