Newly qualified nursing associates are celebrating completing their training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Nursing associates help care for and support patients, while bridging the gap between healthcare support staff and nurses.
They also help free up nurses’ time so they can focus on patients who need more complex care.
Qualifying involves a two-year associate apprenticeship course, delivered with both London South Bank University and Coventry University.
Apprentices complete academic work but also have placements in a range of settings that see them care for children, adults, people with learning disabilities or mental health issues and through care in the community.
Forty nursing associates have completed the course with Guy’s and St Thomas’ so far, and 90 apprentice nursing associates are currently working on placements at the trust.
Qualified nursing associates can be identified by their distinctive aqua uniform.
Sharon Gordon, from Dulwich, has recently qualified as a nursing associate with the neighbourhood nursing team. She previously worked at the trust as a health visiting assistant.
“I wanted to get more involved in the clinical side of caring for patients and this was a good stepping stone without the big university fees,” she said.
“I have learnt so much, from birth to end of life care. Now I’m qualified, I feel more responsible and have my own list of patients, providing a whole range of care including wound care, palliative support and helping patients to manage their diabetes in the community.”
Yinka Adetogun, from Southwark, previously worked at Guy’s and St Thomas’ as a reablement support worker before qualifying as a nursing associate in the adult community services team.
She said: “I signed up for the course because I wanted to climb up the career ladder and gain more useful skills. I love to help people and I’m really enjoying my new role.”
Olabimpe Abolarin, from Southwark, joined the trust in 2017 as a support worker in the community at home team.
She completed the course and is now a nursing associate with the district nursing team.
Olabimpe said: “I really enjoyed being able to work and learn at the same time.
“I got to meet and shadow lots of different people across the trust so I could understand the system of each department and ward.
“I eventually want to become a nurse so this is a good stepping stone without a big student loan.”
Sue Cox, deputy director of nursing for workforce and education at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “I am so proud of everyone who has qualified during such a challenging year.
“ The nursing associate role is opening up opportunities for people to work in the NHS, and provides another route for those who want to eventually become a registered nurse.”