Nursing Associate

The nursing associate role is a relatively new addition to the nursing workforce in England, introduced to bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. Nursing associates work within the registered nursing team, delivering care to patients across a range of settings, carrying out nursing procedures, monitoring patients' conditions, and supporting the delivery of care plans under the supervision and coordination of registered nurses. The role was created to expand the nursing workforce and to provide a meaningful professional qualification for those who wish to develop a clinical career without undertaking the full three-year registered nurse degree.

At the University of Sunderland, this two-year, full-time programme combines theory and practice, training you in advanced simulation facilities alongside clinical placement experience. You will work alongside healthcare students from other disciplines and collaborate with programme participants who are already working in health and care settings. The expert academic staff and strong practice partnerships ensure that your learning is grounded in real clinical environments from the outset.

On completion of the programme, graduates are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as nursing associates.

Nursing associates work across the NHS and independent sector in hospital, community, mental health, and care home settings, contributing directly to the delivery of safe and person-centred care. The qualification also provides a pathway to further professional development: nursing associates who wish to progress to become registered nurses can do so through a shortened top-up degree programme, making the nursing associate route a genuine stepping stone in a nursing career as well as a valuable professional destination in its own right. Many nursing associates go on to develop specialist knowledge and skills in particular areas of clinical practice through continuing professional development.