The Nursing Associate role is an essential part of the NHS workforce, bridging the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses to deliver safe, compassionate, hands‑on care.
As demand for skilled clinical support continues to grow, the Nursing Associate apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity and clear progression route for those already working in healthcare and looking for the next step in their careers. This route offers the chance to develop your skills, gain a recognised qualification and achieve professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Working in this role means you'll be making a real difference for our patients every day.
In this blog, we’re sharing the experiences of some of our colleagues currently on the apprenticeship, plus one who has completed the course and qualified as a Nursing Associate. Their stories give an honest look at what the journey is like and how it’s helping them shape their future in nursing.
Shannon's story - First Year Student Nursing Associate
"Hello! My name is Shannon and I’m a Student Nursing Associate (SNA) on Trauma and Orthopaedics.
I started there as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) 2 years ago and then got introduced to the apprenticeship through colleagues. Working alongside qualified Nursing Associates (NA) who enjoyed their course inspired me to apply, and I’m now 6 months in!
So far my journey has been enjoyable, and I was surprised by how easily I transitioned into the role, thanks to the support of the apprenticeship team.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to complete the apprenticeship, as it has given myself and many others the chance to progress within our roles from a HCA to a NA with full support, but also an opportunity that without the financial support might not have been an option.
I have found the balance between work and university has been beneficial to me, as I can learn and gain skills and knowledge, but also then regularly apply those within practice. Also, my work-life balance and therefore wellbeing has been at an all time best! I feel fully supported both by Keele University and the Trust, and have regularly been reminded of where to find help if needed.
Keele University have been organised and reliable with our course, encouraging us all to succeed.
I have felt prepared throughout this course, but one of the challenges I did face, was the nerves of a new placement or ward, as I’m sure many people experienced, but you quickly realise even if it’s not what you hoped for, it’s what you make of it!
Overall I’ve had a really positive experience with the apprenticeship, and can see my personal progress within my confidence and competence already, and am looking forward to continuing to grow until I’m a qualified Nursing Associate."
Selina's story - Qualified Nursing Associate
"After 20 years in childcare, including 12 years as a Deputy Manager in a children’s nursery, I decided it was time for a new challenge. I wanted a career where I could make a real difference in people’s lives, and that led me into healthcare.
I started as a Healthcare Assistant and loved it, but I knew I wanted to progress. The idea of studying was a bit scary at first, but I ended up enjoying every part of the course and learned so much along the way.
During my training on Ward 23 (Haematology and Oncology), I was lucky to be supported by some amazing nurses who took the time to teach me and guide me. That support made all the difference and really boosted my confidence.
When I first qualified, the transition from HCA to Nursing Associate was a bit challenging. I found myself trying to do both roles at once, but I soon realised I needed to fully step into my new role and responsibilities.
Now, as a qualified Nursing Associate, I love my role. It allows the nurses to focus on more complex tasks, like chemotherapy, while I continue looking after patients’ day-to-day care, medication rounds, and overall needs. Spending time with patients, getting to know them, and supporting them in ways that really matter is what I’m most passionate about.
I truly believe in the Nursing Associate role and the difference it makes. I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to go for it — it’s challenging, rewarding, and incredibly fulfilling."
Anonymous story - Student Nurse Associate
"When completing my health T-level qualification, I knew I wanted to go into nursing but was unsure of the route I wanted to take to get me there. I had been offered places to do a nursing degree at different universities, however when I saw the SNA post at Shrewsbury I knew it would be the best option for me. This was due to combination of academic study, practice based learning and real life experiences.
Coming from a T-Level background prepared me a lot for starting work, I felt confident that I had a lot of the basic skills and background knowledge needed to work in a hospital. Especially regarding the surgical assessment unit I would be working on, which is a very busy ward.
I felt less overwhelmed by how much I needed to learn in such a short supernumerary period because the Trust sent all new candidates on a two‑week induction. It gave us the chance to meet the rest of the SNA cohort and eased us into a more Trust‑centred view of what we needed to know and what our full‑time days would look like.
All of this was very positive, although there was a lot of information to take in during those first few weeks. With so many new things being introduced one after the other, it could have felt overwhelming at times, but there was good support from each other and especially our lecturers. I felt like any concerns were listened to and acted upon, as well as feeling very supported when starting work by the Pre-Reg PEF team. When new training or modules are launched, time is taken to make sure we understand what is expected of us.
Overall, starting any new course is a big decision and takes hard work, but the support from the University, your workplace, your ward team, and the pre‑reg team makes a huge difference. It helps a lot with finding your feet and getting comfortable in a new role."
If these stories have inspired you, don't forget to subscribe to our Apprenticeship email lists to be the first to hear about new opportunities, such as the Nursing Associate apprenticeship.
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