The role of the Nursing Associate was first introduced in England in 2016, and has since been adopted by other countries, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The formation of the Nursing Associate role was influenced by a number of contemporary government policies, including:

• The NHS Five Year Forward View (2014): This document set out a vision for the future of the NHS, which included a commitment to increasing the number of nurses and other healthcare professionals. The document also recognized the need for new roles and pathways to support the nursing workforce.
• The Nursing Strategy for England (2016): This document outlined a number of measures to improve the quality of nursing care and to increase the number of nurses. One of the key measures was the introduction of the Nursing Associate role.
• The NHS Long Term Plan (2019): This document set out a plan for the NHS over the next 10 years. The plan included a commitment to creating 50,000 new nursing posts, including 20,000 Nursing Associate roles.

The government has also introduced a number of financial incentives to support the development of the Nursing Associate role. For example, the government is providing funding for training and education programs, and is also offering financial incentives to employers who hire Nursing Associates.

Development of the Nursing Profession and the Influencing Drivers for the Role of the Nursing Associate

The nursing profession has developed significantly over the past century. In the early days of nursing, nurses were primarily responsible for providing basic care to patients, such as feeding and bathing them. However, as medical knowledge and technology have advanced, the role of the nurse has become more complex and demanding.

Today, nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system. They are responsible for providing a wide range of care to patients, including:

• Assessing patients’ needs
• Developing and implementing care plans
• Administering medications
• Providing wound care
• Educating patients and their families about their health
• Providing emotional support to patients and their families

Nurses also play an important role in research and innovation. They are involved in developing new treatments and procedures, and in evaluating the effectiveness of existing treatments.

The role of the Nursing Associate was developed in response to a number of factors, including:

• The need for more nurses and other healthcare professionals
• The increasing complexity of nursing care
• The desire to create a new career pathway for people who want to work in nursing but do not want to complete a three-year degree course

The Nursing Associate role is designed to support the nursing workforce by providing additional capacity and expertise. Nursing Associates work under the supervision of registered nurses, and they play a vital role in providing care to patients.

Conclusion

The role of the Nursing Associate is a relatively new one, but it has already had a significant impact on the nursing workforce. Nursing Associates play a vital role in providing care to patients, and they help to support the registered nurse workforce.

The formation of the Nursing Associate role was influenced by a number of contemporary government policies, including the NHS Five Year Forward View, the Nursing Strategy for England, and the NHS Long Term Plan. The government has also introduced a number of financial incentives to support the development of the Nursing Associate role.

The nursing profession has developed significantly over the past century, and the role of the Nursing Associate is a reflection of this development. Nursing Associates play a vital role in the healthcare system, and they help to ensure that patients receive high-quality care.