Registered nurses' perceptions of nursing associates' professional identity

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Professional Identity

Background:

• The nursing associate (NA) role was established in 2017 and regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in 2019.
• This role serves as a bridge between healthcare assistants (HCAs) and registered nurses (RNs), enabling RNs to concentrate on complex patient care.
• With a growing number of NAs on the NMC register, understanding RN perceptions is vital for successful workforce integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore registered nurse (RN) perceptions of the professional identity of the nursing associate (NA) role.
• To identify key themes influencing RN views on the NA role's scope, value, and integration within the healthcare setting.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative survey was conducted with 23 registered nurses (RNs).
• The survey explored RNs' experiences and opinions regarding the nursing associate (NA) role.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include NMC standards and scope of practice, perceptions of NAs as 'cheap nurses', skills development and progression, and the NA's supportive bridging function.
• While NAs were valued, RNs perceived the role as a threat, ambiguous, and inconsistently implemented.
• Specific concerns were raised regarding scope of practice, professional identity, and the economic implications of the NA role.

Conclusions:

• The nursing associate role, though valued, faces challenges related to ambiguity and inconsistent implementation.
• Addressing role clarity, standardization, and professional identity is essential for the successful integration of NAs.
• Clear articulation of the NA role's purpose and scope is needed for both healthcare professionals and the public.