Nursing Associate Preceptorship & Clinical Progression Scheme (NA PCPS)

The Nursing Associate Preceptorship & Clinical Progression Scheme (NA PCPS) is a comprehensive 12-month development programme designed to support newly qualified Nursing Associates and Nursing Associates who are new to General Practice.

Moving into Primary Care can be both rewarding and challenging. The NA PCPS has been developed to support Nursing Associates during this important transition, helping them build confidence, strengthen clinical skills and successfully integrate into their new role and practice team.

Through a structured programme of education, mentorship, peer support and professional development, participants gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive within Primary Care. The programme combines clinical learning with personal and professional growth, supporting Nursing Associates to develop as safe, effective and autonomous practitioners.

Participants benefit from:

A structured 12-month preceptorship programme
Monthly educational and development sessions
Access to experienced facilitators and clinical experts
Dedicated workplace mentorship and support
Peer networking opportunities with Nursing Associates across West Yorkshire
Guidance on career development and progression pathways
Support to develop confidence, competence and professional identity within Primary Care

Feedback from previous cohorts highlights the programme’s positive impact on confidence, role understanding and career development, with participants describing the scheme as informative, inspiring and directly relevant to their day-to-day practice.

By investing in the development of Nursing Associates, practices can strengthen their workforce, enhance staff retention and support the delivery of high-quality patient care. The programme not only supports newly appointed Nursing Associates to succeed in their current role but also helps them plan and progress their future career within Primary Care.

Together, we can build a confident, skilled and sustainable Nursing Associate workforce for the future of Primary Care.

Scheme Eligibility, Delivery, and Content

Eligibility: within 2-years from qualification or within 2-years of moving to primary care

Duration: 12 months

Delivery: 1 day a month face-to-face training with an additional monthly virtual 1-hour monthly drop-in sessions

Training Covered

Programme introduction & skills and development needs analysis.
Introduction to GPNA competency framework.
Communication with patients.
Anticipatory care, health promotion & making every contact count.
Theory and chemical pathology of urinalysis and pathophysiology of the diabetic foot, including the diabetic foot check.
Principles of safe and effective medicines management, legan frameworks for supply and administration of medicines, medicines optimisations, professional accountability, PSDs and medicines governance.
NHS health checks, lifestyle advice, role of Nursing Associates in prevention and and early intervention, disease management, lifestyle interventions, case studies and escalation.
Reflective practice, experiential learning, learning from clinical experience, structured reflection models professional development, revalidation preperation.
Wound care management, anatomy and physiology of wound healing, wound assessment and dressing selection, lower limb assessment, MDT collaboration, clinical decision-making and escalation.
NHS landscape, contracting, and Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Hypertension and atrial fibrilation, physiology and risks, accurate blood pressre and pulse measurement, lifestyle and pharmacological management, ECG basics and case-based learning.
Conflict management, handling difficult conversations, human behavious and team dynamics, professional boundaries, working autonomously within scope.
Health and wellbeing, recognising stress and emotional demands, resilience, self-awareness, supporting collegaues and patients, preventing burnout.
Immunisation and vaccination safety, vaccine storage and cold chain management, common errors and risk prevention, documentation, governance and patient safety.
Social prescribing and personalised care, role of Social Prescribing Link Workers, community and voluntary sector support, supporting population health.
Parameters of practice, scope of practice, accountability, delegation, escalation, NMC standards, governance frameworks, delivering safe evidence-based care.
Asthma overview, recognition, diagnosis and management, conducting asthma reviews, inhaler technique, monitoring, emergency response and escalation.
NMC revalidation, portfolio development, reflectove accounts, CPD requirements, professional responsibilities, confirmation and feedback processes.
Motivational interviewing, principles and theory, supporting behavious change, patient-centred communication techniques, practical application in clinical settings, COPD and smoking cessation case discussions.
Standards for student supervision and assessment (SSSA), practice supervisor and assessor roles, supporting student learning, ensuring quality learning enviornments.
Contraception and sexual health, contraception methods, risks, benefits and contraindications, STI recognition and management, sensitive history taking, referral pathways.
Menopause awareness and management, physical and psychological symptoms, treatment options including HRT, supporting patients in primary care.

Drop-in Support Sessions

Monthly drop-in peer support sessions provide a supportive and informal environment for participants to share experiences, reflect on practice and learn collaboratively with colleagues undertaking the programme. The sessions aim to promote professional development, emotional wellbeing and peer networking whilst reducing feelings of professional isolation. They provide an opportunity to discuss challenges encountered in practice, explore solutions, share learning and seek support from peers and programme facilitators. Participation in these sessions can help strengthen confidence, communication skills, clinical decision-making and professional resilience. They also support the development of reflective practice, reinforce safe and effective patient care, and encourage collaborative working across General Practice teams. Although attendance is optional, participants are encouraged to attend where possible to maximise the benefits of the programme and gain additional peer and facilitator support throughout their preceptorship journey.

How to apply

Applications are currently closed.

Funding

The Nursing Asscociate Preceptorship & Clinical Progression Scheme (NA P&CPS) has a Practice training grant payment of £1000 which is payable upon completion of the 12-month programme.

Funding details correct as of July 2026.

When delegates were asked about what they enjoyed most about the sessions here is what they said:

“Very informative and good to know what is happening with the NA role and the future of the role.”

“Very enjoyable and the facilitator made it interesting rather than death by PowerPoint.”

“The facilitator was great to listen to and gave me the drive to want to be better.”

“Informative and helpful.”

“Inspiring that I want to build up my skill level further.”

“Helped my understanding of the role and progression opportunities.”

Nursing Associate Preceptorship & Clinical Progression Scheme (NA PCPS)

Scheme Eligibility, Delivery, and Content

How to apply

Funding

West Yorkshire

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