Exemplar Health Care’s first cohort of Nursing Associates graduate

On 24 November 2021, seven Exemplar Health Care colleagues celebrated graduating from the Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) programme, and qualifying as Nursing Associates.

Colleagues from four Exemplar Health Care homes started the programme with the University of Sheffield in October 2019.

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.

This month, Exemplar Health Care’s first cohort of Trainee Nursing Associates completed the programme.

Congratulations to our graduates:

• Jasmin Barker (trained at Neville Court and is now working at Willowbeck)

• Jack Cooke (trained at Neville Court and is now working at Willowbeck)

• Clara Lake (Neville Court)

• Gemma Walker (Dearnevale)

• Christine Coe (Longley Park View)

• Dian Salamah (Greenside Court)

• Rachel Westbrook (Greenside Court).

“When I heard that Exemplar Health Care was offering an opportunity to boost my skills in care, I jumped at the chance,” said Gemma Walker, a recent graduate from Dearnevale.

“I’ve got a mortgage and a family to support. I’d never be able to train as a qualified Nurse by taking three years out of work to be at uni. So, training as a Nursing Associate while staying in my role means I can learn and earn – which is key for me.

Jack Cooke, one of the recent graduates, shares: "When I started my career with Exemplar Health Care, I had great career ambitions. After 18 months of working as a Support Worker, I applied for the role of Team Leader.

"And when the company started offering the Trainee Nursing Associate apprenticeship, I knew that I had to apply.

"This is one of the best opportunities that I’ve had to work full time and also study to progress in the area of work that I love doing.

"In the future I would love to become a Registered Nurse and continue providing the highest standards of nursing care to our service users - and the Trainee Nursing Associate apprenticeship will help me to achieve this.”

There are lots of opportunities to develop your skills and progress your career at Exemplar Health Care. Read about our career development opportunities.