Nursing associates' experiences of education and practice in mental health and learning disability settings.
The nursing associate (NA) role bridges the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. Although becoming more common in mental health and learning disability settings, to the authors' knowledge the role has not yet been evaluated in this context. Aim: To explore the experiences of NAs...
| Published in: | British Journal of Nursing Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 48 - 55 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Mark Allen Holdings Limited
1/8/2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=191110050&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 191110050 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 09660461 GHD jtl: British Journal of Nursing issn: 09660461 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: 1/8/2026 vid: 35 iid: 1 pid: 11383 pub: Mark Allen Holdings Limited artinfo: ui: 191110050 191110050 191110050 10.12968/bjon.2025.0098 191110050 ppf: 48 ppct: 7 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Nursing associates' experiences of education and practice in mental health and learning disability settings. aug: au: Shiel, Emma Victoria Brimblecombe, Neil Downes, Megan Hemingway, Steve affil: previously at the University of Huddersfield, now Researcher, Mental Health Research Group, Department of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work, University of Manchester sug: subj: Associate Degree Nurses Psychosocial Factors Nurse Attitudes Learning Disorders Nursing Mental Health Mental Disorders Nursing Psychiatric Nursing Theory-Practice Relationship Human Male Female Adult Middle Age Qualitative Studies Semi-Structured Interview Exploratory Research Questionnaires Thematic Analysis Registered Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Accountability Nursing Role Education, Nursing, Associate Clinical Competence Stress, Occupational Job Satisfaction Workload Preceptorship Skill Acquisition Supervisors and Supervision Scope of Practice Work Environment Professional Role Nurse-Patient Relations Personnel Staffing and Scheduling Adult: 19-44 years Middle Aged: 45-64 years Male Female ab: The nursing associate (NA) role bridges the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. Although becoming more common in mental health and learning disability settings, to the authors' knowledge the role has not yet been evaluated in this context. Aim: To explore the experiences of NAs in learning disability and mental health settings, focusing on their training and subsequent work. Methods: Eight qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted. Data were thematically analysed, resulting in four themes: Theory into practice, Not my responsibility, Preparedness, and Finding the balance. Findings: NA training was praised for its hands-on approach, aiding practical application of theoretical knowledge. However, short placements limited skill development, and balancing clinical hours with written tasks caused stress. Trainee NAs often lacked protected learning time, leading to feelings of exploitation; they performed tasks outside their defined scope, both during and after training. Conclusion: Clearer role definitions, good support and protected learning time are essential to improve NA effectiveness and wellbeing. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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