Nursing associate role. Any good?

[drinkswineoutofamug]

I have already applied for it. Closing date is Wednesday. Anyone doing it now? Think the first cohort qualifies in January and there are jobs available for them. Is it seen as a new role or just a gap filler due to less people applying for nursing degree due to the loss of the bursaries? Any opinions welcome.

Glad you are enjoying it. My colleague who left to do it lives it too. We still have no idea what TNA's are supposed to be doing though. Still remain to be convinced it's a good idea.

The nmc website has some good information about what's expected from the role, and the limitations.

Sadly I think my trust will be reluctant to put forward anymore hcas for the nursing associates programme. The first cohort recently finished and half don't want to register as apparently that isn't what they signed up for initially. We had one on our ward and she was under the impression (not sure why) that nurses would countersign everything for her.

I think it's a good opportunity for hcas but I remain sceptical about it I'm afraid.

Surely they knew what the outcome would of been. It's nmc regulated. But I'm not sure if that was the idea back then being so new. We of course knew. We only get the nurses to countersign our meds , they check and amend any paperwork I do. The nurses , our hub supervisors do sign off our competency booklet. Which they do for student nurses. It's a shame some of your trusts cohorts felt like they didn't want to carry on with the role. Our trust have been very proactive with the role

I think that's the problem that when they first started it was unclear whether it would be fully registered and accountable. I think many are scared of the accountability. The associate on our ward was expecting that she could do the medication solo and then we would countersign afterwards. I would never countersign for practice I had not personally supervised (like with students etc). I've spoken with her about this and she just said she thought nurses would be ultimately responsible... which is true on an overall shift basis but as I've explained to her, I'm responsible for my practice and my practice only, if I'm not supervising directly then I am not taking responsibility for medication or interventions that other people are carrying out.

Its a shame really. I imagine the role would be very useful in certain settings.

What you have said has been made clearer to us. Right from the start we have had it drummed in to us our do's and donts. Our last cohort all registered and are in various departments across the trust. I under the impression that other areas are watching how it works out over the next 2 years. The trust are pushing for us , which is really good.

@Decormad38 need some advice. Will pm you later if that's ok?

All our NAs have been keen to register. This is a really interesting discussion (helps me in my job planning programmes) .

@drinkswineoitofamug that’s fine.

Forgot about this thread. Just about to start my 3rd placement. Absolutely loving it.

Hello, I know this is an older thread but I'm looking to apply to a nursing associate apprentice role. I just wondered what your hours are like?? Do you do a lot of night shifts during the placements?

Same drinks different name

@Mojitomogul did you apply for the job?
I've started my 2nd year , the work is a lot harder . So far 4 assignments and 2 osces. I scrapped through my first yr due to the fact my academic writing is debatable. But got 100% on my practical. Had some fantastic experiences, I helped with the delivery of a beautiful baby girl!
The course finishes in October and I've already been given the provisional offer of a job. Our trust has just taken on another cohort and it's looking at a 4th!
Yes we get called the Aldi of nursing and why are we not doing proper nursing. Please define proper nursing. The only difference in our trust is we can't do iv meds.

Apparently NA's will not be registered in their own right. Great. Yet more people to be responsible for. 😡

@Toddlerteaplease says who? We are registered with the nmc . We pay the same as a nurse. So we are accountable for ourselves.

The TNA we have on the ward said it.

Your TNA needs to read the nmc standards for NA . Read up about the role . As I stated we are registered and accountable for ourselves.

Thought I would update this thread if anyone was interested 😬
I've got 5 weeks training left. It's been a rollercoaster of a journey. Signed off level 3 on everything, provisionally offered a job. 4th cohort in the trust start next week. And December I apply for my pin.
For anyone interested in the nursing associate post, I would go for it. It's changed me as a person , hardly recognise myself! Yes the academic side is very difficult (was for me) as they condense 3 yrs into 2. I will be able to do everything a staff nurse does minus connecting IVs , and administrating CD drugs (but I can 2nd check). It's been a great learning opportunity, I have met some fantastic role models, patients who are an inspiration, and some total arse holes. No regrets.