Training Requirements
A 2-year Level 5 Foundation degree programme and registration with the NMC is required to become a Nursing Associate.
The Career Framework:
- Nursing Associates require factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within a field of work.
- They work independently, and with others, under the leadership and direction of a Registered Nurse within defined parameters, to deliver care in line with an agreed plan/protocol.
- They will have a breadth of knowledge, and a flexible, portable skill set to serve local health populations, taking account of the perspectives and pathways of individuals, their families and/or carers providing holistic and personalised care to individuals, supporting the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care.
- Work is guided by standard operating procedures, protocols, or systems of work, but the worker makes judgements, plans activities, contributes to service development, and demonstrates self-development.
Indicative Requirements to work at this level:
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration as a Nursing Associate
- Appropriate Foundation degree at Level 5 & requisite qualification
- Appropriate Practice Supervisor Status
Apprenticeship Pathway
Student Nursing Associate – Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS)
Additional Roles: A Quick Reference Summary
Key roles and responsibilities:
- 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
Education and Training Requirements
- Obtained GCSE Maths and English at grade 9 to 4 (A to C) or Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English
- Working towards completion of the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship
- Programme and enrolled on an NMC approved provider 2-year Foundation degree at Level 5 or
- Enrolled on an NMC approved provider 2-year Foundation degree at Level 5 via Direct Entry
Supervision Requirements
Recommended Minimum Supervision
- 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 if employed via ARRS.
- NHSE have also produced Supervision guidance for primary care network multidisciplinary teams
Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship providers
Click on the links of the associated universities below, to view more information from these Higher Education Institutes:
Direct Entry Pathway
Nursing Associates can undertake the Foundation degree in Science at Level 5 (FdSc) via the direct-entry route which is a full-time 2-year course with clinical placements.
Funding
Student Nursing Associates
Funding for student Nursing Associates and registered Nursing Associates is available through the ARRS scheme.
Visit NHS England: Expanding our workforce
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/Primary Care Network (PCN) to set up the Levy share. Please follow the application funding link here
For further information contact d-icb.devon.traininghub@nhs.net
A training grant of £4,162 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 2026.
University Fees
Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Subject to final Parliamentary approval, the tuition fee for UK students has increased to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.
Additional Costs
Clinical Placements may incur travel and/or accommodation costs. Please consider this when applying for your course.
Whichever site you choose you may be required to travel to clinical placements, and to cover any associated costs. This may take the form of a bus trip to a local area or further away to ensure the appropriate experience is provided, and as a result may require you to have a second accommodation in the placement area.
Nursing students undertake placement activity between 20-23 weeks in each academic year. Placements for Nursing programmes are provided across the Southwest and surrounding areas.
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 qualified Nursing Associates should receive preceptorship in their first-year post-registration as 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 qualified Nursing Associate 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.
Information for Preceptees:
Information for Preceptors:
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
Clinical Supervision
Registered Nursing Associates (rNAs)
- 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
Further information
- 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.
DTH Offers
We run a combined registered- and student- Nursing Associate network – please get in touch if you would like to join our bimestrial lunchtime virtual drop-ins.
For further discussion or support please contact Jo Sutton, General Practice Lead – Nursing at Devon Training Hub.
Progression to Registered Nurse
- The Level 5 FdSc Nursing Associate qualification and subsequent registration as an NA lays the foundation for completion of a Level 6 Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing by completing further study and registration as a Registered Nurse. This is known as progression.
- The Level 5 Diploma in Nursing qualification and subsequent registration as a Registered Nurse lays the foundation for completion of a Level 6 Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing by completing further study. This is known as a “top-up”
Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA)
- The Accelerated Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship is a two-year course at the University of the West of England (UWE), which will work towards the progression into the post of a Registered Nurse through successful completion of the RNDA which includes the attainment of a level 6 BSc (Hons) Degree.
- Experienced healthcare practitioners (Assistant Practitioners/Nursing Associates) with relevant healthcare experience and Level 5 qualifications may be eligible to undertake a shortened degree apprenticeship either as a full-time apprentice over 19 months or part time over 23 months at the University of Plymouth.
- The Open University (OU) RNDA programme offers an excellent progression route from relevant Level 2 or 3 apprenticeships. It has well established credit transfer systems for accessing academic credit achieved by people who have undertaken prior relevant qualifications such as Assistant Practitioners and registered Nursing Associates.
Direct Entry Nursing Degree
- The University of Plymouth offers a direct route to a shortened course to continue with your studies to gain a degree in the adult health field of nursing: BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health) – sponsored students/direct entry year 2