Nursing Associate
The Nursing Associate role is a relatively new and significant addition to the nursing workforce in England, created to bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. Nursing Associates deliver hands-on, person-centred care across a wide range of settings and patient groups, working as part of multidisciplinary teams. The role was developed in response to workforce pressures in the NHS and the recognition that a skilled, trained practitioner sitting between support work and full nursing registration could both improve patient care and create new professional pathways for people working in health and care.
At London South Bank University, this two-year full-time programme prepares you to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Nursing Associate. You will develop the knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients across the lifespan and across a range of conditions and settings. The programme combines academic study with substantial practice-based learning, enabling you to apply your developing knowledge directly in clinical environments.
You will build your understanding of anatomy and physiology, health and illness, medicines management, and the ethical and legal frameworks that underpin nursing practice. You will also develop the communication skills needed to work effectively with patients, families, and colleagues in a multidisciplinary team.
Upon registration, Nursing Associates work in NHS hospitals, community health services, mental health services, care homes, and GP practices, among other settings. The qualification also serves as a stepping stone for those who wish to progress to full registered nurse status through a shortened top-up degree pathway. The role therefore offers both an immediate professional career and a clear route into further development within the nursing profession.
For those who wish to specialise or take on more complex clinical roles, further study and continuing professional development are well-supported pathways within the NMC framework.