FdSc Health and Social Care (Nursing Associate)
About this course
The nursing associate role was created to provide a new and valued clinical career that sits between health care support workers and registered nurses, enabling the NHS to extend its workforce while ensuring that a greater proportion of direct patient care is delivered by qualified practitioners. Nursing associates carry out clinical tasks, administer medicines, monitor patients, provide personal care, and support people to understand and manage their own health, working under the supervision of registered nurses and other health professionals across a wide range of settings, from hospitals and community health teams to GP practices and care homes. At Southampton Solent University, this two-year full-time foundation degree programme in health and social care prepares you for registration as a nursing associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will study the underpinning knowledge of anatomy and physiology, health conditions, medicines management, safeguarding, and the professional and ethical standards that govern nursing practice, alongside the communication and interpersonal skills that are central to person-centred care. Clinical placements are a central part of the programme, giving you experience in real health care environments throughout the degree and developing your confidence in working with patients of diverse ages, backgrounds, and health needs. Qualified nursing associates are employed across the health and social care sector, including the NHS, independent hospitals, care homes, GP practices, and community settings. The qualification is nationally recognised and provides a direct pathway to further development: many nursing associates choose to progress to registered nurse status through a nursing degree top-up programme, for which the nursing associate foundation degree provides a formal academic route. Others build long-term careers as nursing associates, developing clinical expertise and taking on mentoring and leadership responsibilities within their teams. Job security in this field is strong, with consistent NHS demand for qualified associates.
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