Congratulations to the new ELFT Nursing Associates
The borough’s vision of a seamless health and care experience for its citizens.
4 of the London Nursing Associates are currently working in district teams within Tower Hamlets.
These are the Nursing Associate pioneers because they have forged the way on the first course for others to follow. All have secured Band 4 roles within the Trust. The Nursing Associate training develops skills and expertise in physical health care AND mental health care so that Nursing Associates can offer good all-round care to any patient whatever setting they work in.
What is a Nursing Associate?
The Nursing Associate is a new role within nursing in England. It has been designed to help bridge the gap between health and care assistants and registered nurses. It is a stand-alone role that Nursing Associates can opt to remain in and is a foundation degree. But there is also the option of progression into graduate level nursing to become a qualified nurse.
It is a registered role with the Nursing and Midwifery Council which requires them to revalidate their qualification every three years the same as any other qualified nurse. Nursing Associates are able to undertake certain nursing procedures which unregistered nurses are not permitted to.
What is involved in the Training?
The training takes two years. Trainees are paid while they study. There are classroom sessions but most of their learning takes place in the field on placement. It offers an opportunity to people who have been in health care assistant or social therapist roles for a long time without a clear career path. Prior to commencing training, individuals need to demonstrate or achieve GCSEs grade 9 to 4 (A to C) in maths and English, or evidence key skills level 2 in maths and English.
The Nursing Associate training is provided in collaboration with City University, Barts Health NHS Trust and Homerton University Hospital Trust. All the organisations involved offer supervised placements in their respective organisations to enable trainees to get a broad range of experience.
A second cohort of staff will begin training in the Autumn.