Support and career aspirations among trainee nursing associates: a longitudinal cohort study

The nursing associate role is new and it is important to understand support needs and career aspirations of trainees. This article comes with a handout  for a journal club discussion


Abstract
The nursing associate role was introduced in England to bridge a skills gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, and to provide an alternative route into registered nursing. Previous research has highlighted challenges that trainee nursing associates face and how qualified nursing associates are being embedded in the workforce, but no studies have explored trainee experiences over time. We conducted two surveys about support experiences and career plans over a one-year period: there was an increase in support from clinical supervisors and nursing associates, and a reduction in support from academic tutors. Support in the clinical setting improved from 56% to 65%. Only around 10% intended to remain in a nursing associate role and more than a third were uncertain about progressing to registered nursing. Most wanted to remain in their current organisation but a third were looking to change clinical setting. Understanding these patterns will help align individual career planning with organisational workforce requirements.

Citation: Robertson S et al (2021) Support and career aspirations among trainee nursing associates: a longitudinal cohort study. Nursing Times [online]; 117: 12, 18-22.

Authors: Steve Robertson is research programme director; Rachel King, Beth Taylor and Michaela Senek are research associates; Sally Snowdon is university teacher; Emily Wood is research fellow; Angela Tod is professor of older people and care; Tony Ryan is professor of older people, care and the family; all at the Division of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield. Sara Laker is associate professor, Winona State University, Minnesota, United States.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
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