Health and Care leaders mark 1,000th nursing associate milestone

A nursing associate from Exeter says being one of the first people on the register has given her “freedom.”

Nicola Leach has been in the role at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital since February this year.

There are now 1,000 nursing associates on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s register – six months on from the role’s creation.

The England-only position bridges the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, contributing to the delivery of better, safer care for people across the country in a variety of health and social care settings.

Nicola said: “I was a senior healthcare assistant for six years, but I could only get so far with it. I was having to pass jobs up because I wasn’t qualified, so thought, I have to do something about this.

“My ultimate goal has been to become a registered nurse, but I was juggling two sons, 14 and 16.

“This was a great way to up my skills without having any financial pressures. 

“I love looking after people and I just wanted to do more. The nursing associate role gives you freedom. I love the extra care and responsibility. 

“It’s about giving back, and promoting everything the NHS stands for, while doing something I enjoy.

“I also enjoy promoting the role and inspiring others to follow in my footsteps. It’s been a huge rollercoaster - but it’s been so rewarding. 

“I love my job. I am now training to be a registered nurse, for me this role has been a stepping stone to something I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do."

The role, which widens access to health and care jobs by opening up new training routes, was announced by the Government in 2016, developed by HEE and is regulated by the NMC.

7,000 students have begun training since the role was agreed in January 2017, and HEE aims to more than double that and recruit a further 7,500 in 2019 as the programme continues to expand.

The new workstream forms a vital strand in plans to increase the NHS workforce announced on Monday (June 3) as part of the NHS Interim People Plan.

Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said: “I’m thrilled to celebrate this 1000th milestone – at a time when the contribution of all nursing and midwifery professionals is so vital in meeting the needs of people who rely and depend on great health and care services. 

“Having had the pleasure of meeting many nursing associates, and students, across the country so far, I know how incredibly proud they are of their ability to make a difference for people – and I love seeing their dedication and enthusiasm for providing truly, holistic care.

“As trainees finish their courses I look forward to seeing more nursing associates joining the register and this wonderful new group of staff continue to grow, and be supported in their work, long into the future.”

Professor Ian Cumming OBE, Chief Executive, Health Education England said: “We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone, with hundreds more nursing associates set to join the register in the coming weeks.

“This shows the continuing appetite for this exciting new profession, developed by HEE, which not only strengthens patient care, but provides a wealth of new opportunities for our much-valued health and care workers.”

Health Minister, Stephen Hammond said: "I'm delighted that so many nursing associates are now helping people and patients across the country and I hope to see thousands more join the health and care system in the coming years.

“Nursing associates have a crucial and unique role to play in delivering the NHS Long Term Plan by providing excellent, safe care to people and patients, and allowing nurses to focus on more specialised areas of treatment.

“That 1,000 nursing associates have now registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council represents a significant milestone for this burgeoning workforce and our decision to make this role a regulated profession is recognition of the huge contribution they make to people and patients across healthcare settings.”