Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 2016, a new role, the nursing associate, was implemented within the nursing workforce in England to support the shortfall of registered nurses and create a new pathway into nursing. This study aims to explore trainee nursing associates' lived experience to understand if the new role has been accepted and embedded in the nursing workforce. DESIGN: This study used a qualitative inductive phenomenological design. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist (COREQ) was adhered to in developing this paper. METHODS: Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with participants completing their nursing associate programme in one higher education institute. Four focus groups with 14 participants occurred between June and November 2021. Thematic analysis was completed as described by Braun and Clarke from an inductive phenomenological perspective. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) new opportunities and knowledge; (2) academic and practice support; (3) pressure within clinical placements; and (4) the need for continued education and training. CONCLUSIONS: The new role has supported widening participation in higher education institutions and an affordable professional nursing pathway. However, challenges, such as a lack of understanding of the nursing associate role, remain in both clinical practice and higher education institutes. The development of the nursing associate role across specialities has commenced, which inevitably causes further confusion. What is known about this topic? A new role, the nursing associate, was implemented in England in 2016 to support the shortfall of registered nurses. Nursing associates are registered with the governing nursing body in England, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The implementation of nursing associates has been challenging due to a lack of acceptance and understanding by healthcare professionals and the emerging ambiguity of responsibilities across specialities. What this paper adds? The nursing associate role has widened participation in higher education and is an affordable professional nursing pathway. Challenges remain for trainee nursing associations in both clinical practice and higher education institutions, which need to be addressed. The development of the nursing associate role across specialities has commenced, which inevitably is causing confusion. The implications of this paper: The clinical identity of nursing associates needs to be further developed both across and within specialities. The responsibilities of nursing associates need to be further developed both across and within specialities.