Nursing associates

Seventeen new apprentice nursing associates have been welcomed to our Trust as they start their training in our hospitals.

Over 300 people applied to take up the opportunity to become a Nursing Associate, which is a vital new role in the NHS nursing family, and the successful candidates are now starting out on their new careers here in Bradford.

Jo Hilton, Assistant Chief Nurse, Quality and Workforce, sais she was thrilled to have the new recruits on board as they will make a huge difference to the nursing support we provide – and in return they will work towards a university-accredited qualification and the chance to become a nurse.

Training opportunity

Almost all of our latest cohort of nursing associates already work at the Trust as healthcare assistants, and have snapped up this fantastic training opportunity to earn while they learn.

The training places are open to experienced healthcare assistants and at the end of the two year apprenticeship, which includes practice placements, the candidates will be awarded a foundation degree and become a band four nursing associate.

With their training funded by Health Education England initially and now the apprenticeship levy, nursing associates work alongside existing healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver hands-on care for patients.

“The scheme is a great way to support people who really want a career in nursing but who may not be from a traditional academic background or can’t afford university fees,” said Jo.

At their induction, the trainees heard from second year trainee Nursing Associate Jo Greenhough, who had spent 20 years in healthcare before deciding to study to be a nurse.

The mum-of-three spent 18 months updating her science qualifications at college while she worked so she could get a university place – then the nursing bursaries ended and she had to re-think her plans totally.

“I always say as one door closes, another opens and one day I saw the advert for the nursing associates on NHS Jobs and jumped at the chance. It’s been fantastic – hard work, but very rewarding as my confidence has definitely increased and I’m becoming the nurse I always was.

“I’ve had a lot of support from ward 31 where I work, and there’s a lot more awareness about the role now across the Trust. Nursing associates are the way forward for nursing: I would recommend it to anyone.”