In this guide
Nursing associates provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to people in a range of care settings. They monitor the condition and health needs of people within their care on a continual basis in partnership with people, families, and carers. They contribute to ongoing assessment and can recognise when it is necessary to refer to others for reassessment.
Outcomes:
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The proficiencies identified below will equip the newly registered nursing associate with the underpinning knowledge and skills required for their role in providing and monitoring care.
At the point of registration, the nursing associate will be able to:
3.1demonstrate an understanding of human development from conception to death, to enable delivery of safe and effective person-centred care
3.2demonstrate and apply knowledge of body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, and social and behavioural sciences when delivering care
3.3recognise and apply knowledge of commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions when delivering care
3.4demonstrate the knowledge, communication and relationship management skills required to provide people, families and carers with accurate information that meets their needs before, during and after a range of interventions
3.5work in partnership with people, to encourage shared decision-making, in order to support individuals, their families and carers to manage their own care when appropriate
3.6demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ability to perform a range of nursing procedures and manage devices, to meet people’s need for safe and effective person-centred care
3.7demonstrate and apply an understanding of how and when to escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
3.8demonstrate and apply an understanding of how people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep can be met
3.9demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ability required to meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health
3.10demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ability to act as required to meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity
3.11demonstrate the ability to recognise when a person’s condition has improved or deteriorated by undertaking health monitoring. Interpret, promptly respond, share findings, and escalate as needed
3.12demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to support people with commonly encountered symptoms including anxiety, confusion, discomfort and pain
3.13demonstrate an understanding of how to deliver sensitive and compassionate end of life care to support people to plan for their end of life, giving information and support to people who are dying, their families and the bereaved. Provide care to the deceased
3.14understand and act in line with any end of life decisions and orders, organ and tissue donation protocols, infection protocols, advanced planning decisions, living wills and lasting powers of attorney for health
3.15understand the principles of safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines in accordance with local and national policies
3.16demonstrate the ability to recognise the effects of medicines, allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions
3.17recognise the different ways by which medicines can be prescribed
3.18demonstrate the ability to monitor the effectiveness of care in partnership with people, families and carers. Document progress and report outcomes
3.19demonstrate an understanding of co-morbidities and the demands of meeting people’s holistic needs when prioritising care
3.20understand and apply the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments
3.21recognise how a person’s capacity affects their ability to make decisions about their own care and to give or withhold consent
3.22recognise when capacity has changed and understand where and how to seek guidance and support from others to ensure that the best interests of those receiving care are upheld
3.23recognise people at risk of abuse, self-harm and/or suicidal ideation and the situations that may put them and others at risk
3.24take personal responsibility to ensure that relevant information is shared according to local policy and appropriate immediate action is taken to provide adequate safeguarding and that concerns are escalated.
