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Nursing associates are new members of the nursing team, who are trained to foundation degree level. They work with people of all ages and in a variety of settings in health and social care. It is a stand-alone role, bridging the gap between health care support workers and registered nurses whilst also offering an opportunity, once qualified, to progress into a nursing role.
Trainee Nursing Associates must have the capability to develop numeracy skills required to meet programme outcomes and demonstrate proficiency in English language. Approved Educational Institutions can set their own minimum entry requirements.
Release from practice for placements and study time at university.
A Nursing Associate programme usually takes two years to complete via an apprenticeship framework.
Theory hours and practice hours will need to be evidenced
Salary costs throughout the duration of the two-year period will need to be met by the employing practice.
The starting salary for trainee Nursing Associates is recommended to be commensurate with Agenda for Change band 3, progressing on qualification.
Educational fees will need to be paid but a variety of ways of doing this are offered through use of apprenticeship levy funding.
Full support of the employing practice with appropriate supervision is required.
Students accepted onto programmes must have the capability to develop numeracy skills and demonstrate proficiency in English language and have capability in literacy to meet programme outcomes. Approved Educational Institutions require evidence of key skills level 2 in English and Maths, plus evidence of a level 3 qualification prior to enrolment on a Nursing Associate programme.
The NMC require that the programme is 50% theory and 50% practice which means as an employer you would need to release the apprentice/s for facilitated / self-directed study equating to 1 day (7.5 hours) per week + external placements (460 hours) + protected learning, in addition to the 1 university day per week + 345 hours of protected learning time in the employed setting per year.
Each Learning provider may vary.
From the 1st October 2020, Trainee Nursing Associates and Nursing Associates will be as part of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, and the associated requirements placed on PCN's.
2020/21 Maximum Annual Reimbursement Rates
- Role: Nursing Associate
- AfC Band: 4
- Maximum Reimbursable amount over 12 months (with on costs): £29,139
- Role: Trainee Nursing Associate
- AfC: 3
- Maximum Reimbursable amount over 12 months (with on costs): £25,671
For more information, please follow links below:
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/fdsc-nursing-associate-apprenticeship-2020-21
Please click the link below to gain access to an amendable Nursing Associate Job Description and Person Specification:
Editable Job Description and Person Specification
To view the minimum requirements for the Nursing Associate role, please click the link below:
Nursing Associate Ambassador: Pending
