When it comes to working in a care home, there are a wide range of care careers available including a range of care assistant career pathways. If you are looking for a way to kickstart your career in care, Perhaps you would like to gain some experience as a care assistant before training to become a nurse or you may already be a healthcare assistant and looking for the next step in your career. The brilliant thing about being a care assistant is that it is the perfect pathway to continue your training and transition to becoming a registered nurse.
Can You Become a Nurse From Being a Healthcare Assistant?
If you are a healthcare assistant and want to become a nurse, the great news is that it is possible. Becoming a care assistant is a great introduction to healthcare and can provide you with valuable skills that will benefit you in your role as a nurse throughout your career.
What is the Difference Between a Care Assistant and a Nurse?
For many, becoming a nurse is the next step to working in care. If you are thinking about how to become a nurse from being a healthcare assistant, it is important to note the differences between the two roles. There are a few key differences between care assistants and nurses in care homes, these include everything from qualifications to duties and we’ve included a few below.
Care Assistant to Nurse Qualifications
One of the key differences for care assistants who want to become a nurse is the level of qualifications. In general, individuals do not need any specific qualifications to become a care assistant, with the emphasis being put on personal skills and experience. To become a nurse, however, a Bachelor of Nursing or a nursing apprenticeship programme will need to have been completed. To enter a nursing degree, relevant A levels and GCSEs may also be required.
Care Assistant vs Nurse Duties
Another key difference for those transitioning from being a care assistant to being a nurse is what duties are involved with the role. Care assistants who work in a care home are often involved with caring for the basic needs of residents. This could include things such as helping residents bathe, eat, get dressed and other key parts of daily life. On the other hand, care home nurse duties will cater to the more medical needs of residents including assessing resident needs. A care home nurse can make all the difference when a resident is moving to a care home for the first time or moving from another care home and will help support the needs of residents throughout their stay.
Level of Autonomy in Assessing Patient Needs
Another point to bear in mind when discussing the differences between a care assistant and a nurse is the level of responsibility and autonomy when it comes to assessing the needs of every patient. In a more qualified and senior position, a nurse has more responsibility and autonomy to fully assess the needs of each of their patients and put in place care plans for them.
Moving Ahead in Your Healthcare Career
If you are looking for a career you can progress in, healthcare is ideal. Whether you are taking your first steps into healthcare as a care assistant or you have been working as a healthcare assistant for a number of years and looking for a way to progress, becoming a care home nurse is the perfect next step. The valuable experience gained whilst working as a care assistant can all contribute to your suitability for becoming a nurse and will allow you the time to work your way up to a position where you might be able to start nursing training if you do not yet have the required qualifications.
How to Become a Nurse from a Care Assistant
There are a number of routes to becoming a nurse after being a care assistant. Being a care assistant can give you experience in healthcare that will be invaluable for your nursing career. If you would like to train to become a nurse, you may be able to undergo training alongside working as a care assistant.
One of the routes to becoming a nurse from being a care assistant is to become a nursing associate. Nursing associates work alongside care assistants and registered nurses to provide care for residents and will complete training within a care home setting if that is your chosen field. To become a nursing associate, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to study to level 5 foundation degree level and complete the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme. Please note this is only currently available in the UK.
Once you have trained to become a nursing associate, some people undertake further training to become a registered nurse. This takes place in a higher education environment and may involve completing a nursing degree apprenticeship and learning at a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved education provider.
Looking for a Career in Healthcare?
Whether you are looking for a career as a care assistant or registered nurse, our care homes provide the perfect environment to help you grow your care career. We have a range of available positions across the country ready for you.
To find out more, take a look at our current care career vacancies page now or contact our team to find out more
