Nursing associate

You could do a nursing associate foundation degree at university. This usually takes 2 years to complete when studied full time.

Each university sets their own fees and have different funding options.

You should check that the course you choose is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You can apply to do a Nursing Associate Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship. This will take you 2 years to complete and combines study with training on the job.

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• search for apprenticeships on NHS Jobs|https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as a healthcare assistant or care worker in a hospital or community care setting.

Once you have some experience, you could apply for a place on the nursing associate higher apprenticeship and train on the job.

You'll find it useful to get some volunteering experience in health or personal care. This will help when you apply for jobs or training.

Time spent caring for someone you know also counts as having experience in a caring role.

Registrations

you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a nursing associate from Health Careers.

As a nursing associate, you could:

• support patients and their families
• set up drips and take blood samples
• measure and record data like weight, temperature and blood pressure
• clean injuries and give injections and certain medicines
• help with washing, dressing and personal care
• share information about patients' progress with registered nurses
• care for patients with mental health or learning disabilities

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a hospice or in the community.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.