These standards set out the entry and practice learning requirements, curriculum, length of programme, methods of assessment and the level of award for NMC-approved nursing associate programmes. They have been designed so that students can get the most out of their education and learn the skills they need to become safe, effective and kind professionals.
We updated the standards for nursing associate programmes in April 2023 following the change of the simulation standard and definition within all programme standards.
The updated standards
Our pre-2023 standards for pre-registration nursing associate programmes can still be used until January 2025. However, we encourage AEIs to make relevant changes to their programmes in line with our updated standards as soon as they can.
Find our pre-2023 standards for education and training here.
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to email educationandstandards@nmc-uk.org
Why our standards are important
Our education and training standards help nursing, midwifery and nursing associate students achieve the NMC standards of proficiency and programme outcomes.
All nursing, midwifery and nursing associate professionals must practise in line with the requirements of the Code, the professional standards of practice and behaviour that nurses, midwives and nursing associates are expected to uphold.
The standards for education and training includes the standards framework for nursing and midwifery education, standards for student supervision and assessment, and programme standards specific to each approved programme.
Our standards for education and training are set out in three parts:
- Part 1: Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education
- Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment
- Part 3: Programme standards
Our standards framework
Our standards for pre-registration nursing associate programmes follow the student journey and are grouped under the following five headings:
- Selection, admission and progression
Standards about an applicant’s suitability and continued participation in a pre-registration nursing associate programme - Curriculum
Standards for the content, delivery and evaluation of the pre-registration nursing associate education programme - Practice learning
Standards specific to pre-registration learning for nursing associates that takes place in practice settings - Supervision and assessment
Standards for safe and effective supervision and assessment of students on pre-registration nursing associate education programmes - Qualification to be awarded
Standards which state the award and information for registering the student’s award with us
Supporting information
We have written supporting information for some of our education and training standards, which includes information about simulated practice learning, safeguarding and midwifery practice placements. This information is updated regularly.
Our supporting information sets out possible ways that our standards may be met, but they are not a series of expectations for what ‘must’ be done. They are merely a guide to help AEIs in providing programmes that will give students the right skills and knowledge to meet our standards of proficiency.
Visit our standards for education and training supporting information hub
We have also written supporting information for some of our standards relating to student supervision and assessment. This information is updated regularly.
Visit our SSSA information hub
We also have information and resources which are aimed to help you put our Standards of proficiency for registered nursing associates into practice.
Explore our nursing associate proficiency resources
Our education programme standards webinars
We hosted a series of webinars to help outline the changes we made to the education standards in 2023 following the departure of the UK from the EU.
The updated standards for pre-registration nursing programmes: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes made to nursing and nursing associate programme standards so that AEIs have the ability to make relevant updates to their programmes as outlined in our new standards.
The new standards for simulated learning: what do the changes mean for you?
This webinar was designed to clearly outline and explain the changes being made to simulated practice learning for nursing programmes only.
How these standards were developed
Since 2016 we have been developing our standards with input from stakeholders across the UK.
Find out more about how these standards were developed.
