The Lived Experience of Contemporary Trainee Nursing Associates: The Evolution of the New Role as a Pathway to Nursing. A Phenomenological Study

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.