What does the future hold for the nursing associate role?

Alison Leary

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Abstract The nursing associate role was proposed as a way of alleviating the nursing shortage in the UK. However, reasons for its development and the role itself were poorly defined and, despite the first nursing associates being on the nursing register for a year, this has yet to be addressed. As a result, employers, nursing associates and other members of the multidisciplinary team are often confused about what the role entails. Nursing associate responsibilities vary between employers and nursing associates are being recruited to replace registered nurse posts, therefore, masking serious staffing issues that put patient safety at risk. We suggest that nursing associates should be encouraged to develop in a role that is more clearly defined and individuals doing the role should not suffer as a result of poor policy making.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNursing Times
Publication statusPublished - 2 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Workforce
  • nursing associate
  • Safety

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