Development of an innovative education programme for nursing associates

University Hospitals of Leicester has developed an education programme for nursing associates that is rooted in practice and firmly supported by a local university.

Abstract
The nursing associate role is possibly the biggest shake-up of the nursing workforce in recent history. Although not everyone was convinced of the benefits of the role, the first cohorts of nursing associates have now qualified and started working. Considering the speed with which the role was created, education providers who volunteered as early test sites faced many challenges in developing training programmes. This article describes the approach used by University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, which worked in close partnership with De Montfort University to create an education programme rooted in clinical practice. The first cohort had 50 trainees, 76% of which qualified. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland School of Nursing Associates plans to increase recruitment to respond to increasing demand.

Citation: Coulson A (2019) Development of an innovative education programme for nursing associates. Nursing Times [online]; 115: 9, 47-49.

Author: Annabel Coulson is practice learning lead/programme leader Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland School of Nursing Associates, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
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