The role of the Nursing associate was introduced in 2017 to bridge the gap between healthcare support worker and registered nurse and help meet the changing health and care needs of patients and the public. Nursing Associate is a stand-alone role as well as also providing a route to Registered Nurse.
What value will Nursing Associates bring to General Practice?
- They will increase the capacity of general practice nursing teams
- Nursing Associates will be regulated and registered by the NMC.
- Nursing Associate training offers a career development opportunity
- With continued professional development, Nursing Associates will provide additional capacity within the nursing team
- Nursing Associates bring a breadth of knowledge and skill to general practice.
- A provider that invests in training is an attractive employer
- Student Nursing Associates bring valuable insight across whole systems
If you are a practice manager or PCN looking to grow and develop a team member or employ an additional member of staff or you are a HCA in primary care interested in furthering your career, then please access the links and webpages for more information.
For further discussion or support please contact Jo Sutton, Programme Manager (Nursing) – jsutton4@nhs.net
Key Information
Scope of Practice
This document outlines the core capabilities of a number of nursing roles within Primary Care, including Registered Nursing Associates:
This document details the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates at the point of registration:
This document outlines the NMC guidance in relation to delegation for Nursing Associates:
Key roles and responsibilities
Nursing Associate
- Enables registered nurses to provide care
- Supports and supervises student nursing associates (SNAs)
- Performs and records clinical observations
- Supports wound care management
- Promotes health and wellbeing to patients
- Advises and signposts patients
- Maintains health records
Student Nursing Associate
- Delivers care while under supervision of a nursing associate or registered nurse
- Develops own clinical competence
- Develops scope of practice in line with HEE’s Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capability Framework
- Performs and records clinical observations
Training Requirements
Student Nursing Associates (SNAs)
A 2 year Foundation Degree Programme and registration with NMC is required to become a Registered Nursing Associate.
Education Provider Overview
Education Providers
Click on the links of the associated university below to get more information from those HEI’s:
Registered Nursing Associates (RNAs)
2-Year foundation degree delivered by a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved provider
Registered with the NMC.
Clinical Supervision
Clinical Supervision is a formal process of professional support, reflection and learning that contributes to individual development. Clinical Supervision is supported for nurses by NMC and for other disciplines through their professional bodies. Please find useful resources below. It is recommended that practices have a Clinical Supervision policy, many use templates from Practice Index but there are some examples included within the resources.
A Devon Clinical Supervision Community of Practice has been established to facilitate peer support and sharing of good practice.
Student Nursing Associates (SNAs)
Should have access to monthly supervision from an experienced nursing associate, practice nurse or advanced nurse practitioner. Should also have an appropriate named individual in the PCN to provide general advice and support on a day-to-day basis
NHSE have also produced Supervision guidance for primary care network multidisciplinary teams
Registered Nursing Associates (RNAs)
Should have access to monthly supervision by a registered nurse or other healthcare professional including advanced practitioner.
NHSE have also produced Supervision guidance for primary care network multidisciplinary teams.
DTH Offers (CPD/Peer Support/Links)
We run a Registered and Student Nursing Associate network – please get in touch if you would like to join.
For further discussion or support please contact Jo Sutton, Nursing Associate Lead for Primary Care – jsutton4@nhs.net
Learning & Development
You will find multiple training opportunities on Training Calendar.
Registered Nursing Associates (RNAs)
Registered Nurse Associates can progress to become Registered Nurses. Click below to find out more information about the education providers in the region.
Funding
Student Nursing Associate (SNAs)
Funding for Student Nursing Associates and Registered Nursing Associates is available through the ARRS scheme.
Government funding is available to cover tuition and end point assessment fees associated with apprenticeship programmes. Most Primary Care organisations are non levy paying (i.e. have a wages bill of under £3 million each year)
There are 2 ways to access funding
- Co- investment funding – the government will cover 95% of the tuition fees and the practice/PCN would need to cover the remaining 5%
- Levy Share – Larger levy paying organisations can share their Levy with others and this would cover the total cost of tuition fees
One Devon ICS now has a centralised process for Levy share applications which is overseen by the ICS apprenticeship lead. Applications are reviewed and if supported, an organisation will be identified to link with the practice /PCN to set up the Levy share.
Please find the application form here
For further information contact Izzy Deacon, Programme Co-ordinator izzy.deacon@nhs.net
A training grant of £4,080 per year is available from NHS England for practices or PCNs who support a Student Nursing Associate , for programme start dates before the end of March 2025.
Preceptorship
Preceptorship is a structured start for newly qualified practitioners and practitioners transitioning into new areas of practice and is employer led. The main aim is to welcome and integrate newly registered/transitioning practitioners into their new team and place of work. Preceptorship helps professionals to translate and embed their knowledge into everyday practice, grow in confidence and have the best possible start to their careers. All newly registered nurses, nursing associates, and midwives should receive preceptorship in their first year post-registration and is promoted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC Principles of Preceptorship).
Preceptees need to be supported according to their own learning needs, and therefore require time to identify those needs along with opportunities for reflection and feedback. The most important element is the individualised support provided in practice by the preceptor. The goal of preceptorship is for the newly registered nurse to develop their confidence and autonomy.
There is a NHSE Preceptorship Framework for Nurses and Model for Nurses and Devon Training Hub have developed a range of resources to help General Practice implement this framework .
Preceptors can access initial and update training via eLearning for Health.
Multi-Professional Preceptor e-Compendium programme
For further information regarding preceptorship for Nursing Associates please contact – Jo Sutton jsutton4@nhs.net
