Congratulations to our newly qualified Nursing Associates 2022

Colleagues from across Exemplar Health Care celebrated their graduation from the Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship, to become fully qualified Nursing Associates.

Colleagues from eight of Exemplar Health Care’s care homes started the programme in Autumn 2020.

Since then, they’ve completed the programme, delivered via an apprenticeship route, which involves attending university alongside learning ‘on the job’ in an Exemplar Health Care home and completing placements in other health and social care settings.

The Nursing Associate role was introduced by Health Education England almost three years ago.

It was designed to bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses, and help build the capacity of the nursing workforce, providing a progression route into graduate-level nursing for those wanting to continue learning and develop their career.

Following the two year programme, we’d like to congratulate our 2022 graduates.

• Karen Rogalski at Parkside

• Lauren Melia at Parkside

• Abbie Barlow-Fletcher at St Andrew’s Court

• Rebecca Curzon at Meadowcroft

• Kristian Jackson at Eastlands

• Lynsey Walker at Kavanagh Place

• Maxine White at Kavanagh Place

• Harriet Owusku at Longley Park View

• Dinabeth Asoro at Quarryfields

• Marie Padley at Willowbeck

The graduation started with a welcome from Lianne Ford, Lead Nurse at Exemplar Health Care who oversees the programme.

The graduates then heard speeches from Selina Wall, Managing Director, who later presented graduates with their graduation certificates.

The graduates continued the celebrations with a three course meal and celebratory drinks at Aston Hall in Sheffield. 

When Nursing Associate, Karen, first started the programme, she wasn’t sure what to expect as she hadn’t done formal training for a few years.

However, by the time she was half way through, her confidence had grown and she’s now excited to embark on her new role as a qualified Nursing Associate.

She shares: “Starting the Nursing Associate course was scary, not knowing what to expect or if I was able to even do this.

“Half way through I grew in confidence and started to believe in myself. This was helped by those who supported me and showed me my value in my workplace.

“I’m so happy that I've completed the course and I'm now officially a registered Nursing Associate.

I've learned so many new skills. Clinically, I have the knowledge to be aware when a service user’s health is deteriorating and the steps I need to take to help them quickly and safely.

“Success is not the key to happiness - happiness is the key to success. If you’re happy in the job you’re doing, you’ll be successful … and I’m very happy in my job.”