Eight nursing assistants from Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) have qualified in preparation for taking up the exciting new role of registered nursing associate.

We offer our congratulations to Molly Cox, Samuel Bull, Shelby Robinson, Katherine Boult, Sophie Bulmer, Natasha Webster, Mica Cooper and Hayley Langridge-Cox on this fantastic achievement.

A registered nursing associate is a new role within the nursing team. This role is designed to help bridge the gap between nursing assistants and registered nurses, improving care for patients and expanding career options for people looking to work in healthcare.  Nursing associates will work with people of all ages in a variety of settings in health and social care.

In 2018 SASH welcomed the opportunity to lead a consortium alongside local NHS organisations and Brighton University in implementing the new trainee nursing associate apprenticeship.

A first cohort of ‘trainee nursing associates’ started the two year programme in March 2018. The programme of education included:

  • studying for a foundation degree in health and social care through attendance at university;
  • undertaking 675 hours of clinical placements in a variety of different settings; and
  • completing a portfolio of clinical competencies in practice.

Completion of this rigorous programme takes a great deal of personal and professional commitment.  Trainees have stepped out of their comfort zones to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in different areas of practice to prepare for their new role. The eight nursing associates are now going through the process to be added to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register and are a valued part of the team working at East Surrey Hospital.

Jane Dickson, chief of nursing and midwifery at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome our first cohort of registered nursing associates and to thank them for the tremendous amount of effort and hard work they have put in over the past two years.  We are excited to welcome you into your new roles at SASH.  We would also like to thank all the mentors and colleagues that have contributed to supporting trainees during their learning journey, we know that trainees have greatly valued you efforts too! We wish you the best of luck as you take up your new roles and we look forward to celebrating the achievements of future cohorts of trainees later in the year.”

Michael Wilson CBE, chief executive of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “We have been incredibly impressed with the skill and dedication our nursing associates have shown during their training. We are proud to be able to play our part in developing this new role here at SASH. Nursing associates provide really important care for patients, and at the same time it gives people looking for a career in nursing another route into the profession.”

Shelby Robinson, registered nursing associate

“Qualifying and being able to practice as a registered nursing associate means I can continue to make a difference for patients by bridging the gap between the nursing assistant and staff nurse roles. I’m really looking forward to continuing to learn to advance in my career in the future.”