Nursing Associate

The nursing associate role is a relatively new healthcare position in England, created to bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. Nursing associates work as part of the nursing team, delivering and monitoring care, supporting clinical procedures, and enabling registered nurses to focus on the more complex aspects of patient assessment and treatment. The role has been welcomed as a way to create a flexible and capable nursing workforce, and the Foundation degree that leads to it provides a rigorous academic and clinical preparation for practice.

At the University of Bedfordshire, this two-year full-time programme is delivered at Bedford and leads to registration as a nursing associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will study the theory and practice of person-centred care, anatomy and physiology, medicines management, health assessment, and the communication skills and professional ethics that underpin safe and compassionate nursing practice. Clinical placements form a substantial part of the programme, providing supervised practice in a range of health and care settings including hospitals, community services, mental health, and care homes.

These placements are where you develop the practical skills, clinical judgement, and professional confidence that the nursing associate role requires.

Graduates who achieve NMC registration as nursing associates work across NHS hospital and community services, mental health trusts, care homes, and primary care settings. The role offers a clear route into nursing for those who want to progress, since nursing associates can apply for a shortened nursing degree to register as a fully qualified nurse. The qualification also stands in its own right, providing a meaningful and valued professional role within the healthcare workforce with clear responsibilities and progression opportunities.