Nursing Associate FdSc

The role of nursing associate is a new position in the nursing team, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Developed by Health Education England and a number of universities from across the country, including Edge Hill, it improves access to professional nursing healthcare across the UK.

People are living longer, often with complex medical needs. The support of nursing associates gives registered nurses confidence that another group of professionals can step in to care for those with less complicated conditions, as they develop their knowledge and skills.

As a nursing associate you’ll deliver compassionate and safe care in all four fields of nursing – adult, child, learning disabilities and mental health. You’ll work alongside healthcare workers and registered nurses.

During this foundation nursing associate programme you’ll learn how to assess, plan, practice and evaluate the care needs of patients in a variety of healthcare settings. You’ll work with patients’ families and carers to encourage, educate and improve their health.

You’ll study how to carry out duties such as clinical observation, and supporting individuals and their families and carers. This will build your transferable skills in communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and role modelling.

Learn to effectively discuss and share patient information. Explore how to monitor behaviour, activity and responses, while ensuring privacy, dignity and safety. Cover safeguarding issues for vulnerable children and adults.

An NMC approved degree

On successfully graduating from this course at Edge Hill, you’ll be eligible to register as a qualified nursing associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Your future career

After graduating from our nursing associate degree, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a qualified nursing associate, ready to join this growing profession.

This foundation course prepares you for becoming a nursing associate, able to work in many different settings within healthcare such as:

• GP surgeries
• NHS trusts
• nursing homes
• health centres
• prisons

Previous students have gone on to find rewarding employment in organisations such as:

• Liverpool University Hospital Trusts
• Mersey Care Foundation Trust
• St Helens and Knowsley Hospital Trust
• The Walton Centre
• Southport and Ormskirk Trust

Graduates may also want to continue their studies, applying for one of our BSc (Hons) Nursing courses to top up their qualification and train in a specialist field of nursing.