News and updates on today's conference updating delegates on developing the role of the Nursing Associate – understanding the elements of the role, and how the role is being delivered in practice.
EXTENDED SESSION: National Update, Implementing the role in practice and looking to the future
• partnership working with employers
• development across health and social care sector, enhancing diversity of experience within all 4 fields of nursing and in secondary/primary care and private/independent organisations
• supporting nursing associates - pastoral and working with partners to ensure signoff of practice proficiencies
Speaker: Lyndsay Murden
Senior Workforce Lead – Nursing, Midwifery and AHP Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, NHS England – North East and Yorkshire Region & Formerly Lead Nurse – Education, Leeds Teach
Lyndsay qualified as a nurse in 1995 and spent most of my career in Respiratory medicine. During this time, I was involved in many projects including reconfiguration of services and achieved promotion to be Ward manager.
Lyndsey talked about implementing the nursing associate role in practice, she said "It's about growing your own nursing workforce".
On scope of practice, Lyndsey said "A process to guide nursing associates is that they can monitor, contribute and inform".
Lyndsey also said "We need to be really promoting these roles, CPD is really important to retain staff and help people specialise".
Developing your skills as a Nursing Associate Leader
• my role as a Nursing Associate
• developing my leadership skills as a Nursing Associate
• challenges and support through Covid-19
Speaker: Martyn Davey
Nursing Associate, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; and Visiting Lecturer, Birmingham City University
Hello, I'm Martyn, a Nursing Associate working in general practice in Somerset. As part of the inaugural wave of Nursing Associates in 2017, I have been a dedicated advocate for this pivotal role within the NHS since its inception.
Martyn talked about his podcast "Its called Just a sharp scratch, and it highlights this amazing role, and lets people know the opportunities that are available to nursing associates".
On policies, Martyn said "When you are looking to create policies to help Nursing Associates, you need to ask a Nursing Associate"
Martyn also said "Leadership is about how you lift others".
Safety & Governance of the Nursing Associate
• safety, accountability and governance: what needs to be in place?
• workforce and skill mix planning for the future
• team development and compassionate leadership
• preparing for the role and supporting career planning and progression
Speaker: Helen Vickery
Deputy Clinical Education Lead, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
I have been a nurse since 1991 and have worked in the acute sector for all of that period.
Helen began her session by talking about the challenges they are facing, she said "A challenge we face is the lack of understanding about the role of the Nursing Associate"
"We have started to develop more opportunities for Nursing Associates, we are giving them specialist roles in different departments to give patients excellent care"
Helen continued to say "In September 2024 we launched a Nursing Associate development programme, which is going really well so far". she also said "we are making progress and the Nursing Associates and patients are at the heart of it"
Helen concluded her talk by saying "We need to change and adapt to our patients needs".