Nursing Associate
Nursing associates are hands-on and person-centred professionals who work with registered nurses and healthcare support staff to deliver care, freeing up registered nurses to focus on more complex care.
Nursing associates work across adult, children’s, mental health, and learning disability fields of care. The skills and responsibilities of the position may vary depending on the setting you work within.
A nursing associate will;
- perform and record clinical observations (blood pressure, temperature etc.)
- display skills such as cervical cytology, immunisations and vaccinations (under direction of a prescribing clinical professional) and wound care.
- undertake clinical tasks such as venepuncture and ECGs
- support newly diagnosed patients and their families with care and information
A nursing associate is someone who has;
- good knowledge of health (physical & mental) and illness prevention
- excellent communication skills
- a focused and empathetic nature
During training, those wishing to become nursing associates will develop the skills and knowledge, over the course of a two-year programme (such as an apprenticeship) to deliver care in a primary care setting. They deliver specific clinical tasks and direct care under the direction of a registered nursing associate (or other registered care professional). Upon completion of training, they can register as a nursing associate with The Nursing and Midwifery Council. The nursing associate role can also play a part of the development pathway for those wishing to train as a registered nurse.
