Introduction
This essay critically evaluates team working and collaborative practice with specific emphasis on communication in the context of the Nursing Associate role. The Nursing Associate position, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council since 2019, operates between healthcare support workers and registered nurses within multidisciplinary teams. Effective communication underpins safe collaboration, yet challenges arise in hierarchical healthcare settings. The discussion draws on NMC standards and established literature concerning interprofessional working to examine strengths and limitations of current practice.
The Nursing Associate Role and Team Dynamics
Nursing Associates contribute to care delivery by supporting registered nurses and bridging gaps in the workforce. Their integration into teams demands clear role definition to avoid confusion over accountability. The NMC (2018) Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates highlight the requirement to work collaboratively, yet role ambiguity can undermine team cohesion when boundaries between Nursing Associate and registered nurse responsibilities are not clearly communicated. This limited demarcation may restrict full utilisation of the role, even though it was designed to enhance team capacity.
Communication as a Core Element of Collaboration
Communication serves as the foundation for effective team working. The NMC Code (2015, updated 2018) requires professionals to communicate clearly, work cooperatively and share information appropriately. In practice, Nursing Associates must relay observations, escalate concerns and participate in handovers. Evidence indicates that structured communication tools, such as SBAR, can improve clarity; however, their consistent application varies across settings. Where hierarchical cultures persist, Nursing Associates may hesitate to voice concerns, reducing the safety benefits of collaborative practice. This dynamic reveals a tension between the regulatory expectation of open dialogue and the realities of professional power structures.
Strengths and Limitations in Current Practice
Collaborative models that include Nursing Associates can enhance continuity of care when communication channels remain open. Yet literature on interprofessional education suggests that limited joint training between Nursing Associates and other professions restricts the development of shared understanding. The ability to evaluate differing perspectives is therefore constrained, with some teams viewing the role primarily as a task-oriented support function rather than a collaborative partner. Such perceptions can diminish opportunities for Nursing Associates to contribute meaningfully to decision-making.
Conclusion
Team working and collaborative practice in Nursing Associate roles depend heavily on effective communication, yet structural and cultural factors can impede its full realisation. While NMC standards provide a clear framework, actual outcomes depend on supportive team environments that encourage open exchange. Further attention to role clarity and interprofessional learning would strengthen the contribution of Nursing Associates to safe, person-centred care.
References
- Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2015) The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. London: Nursing and Midwifery Council.
- Nursing and Midwifery Council. (2018) Standards of proficiency for nursing associates. London: Nursing and Midwifery Council.
