Two former healthcare assistants are delighted after becoming the first nurse associates at a Wolverhampton-based charity.

Hayley Webber-Waterfield and Jodie Webb recently completed a two-year foundation degree to become Compton Care’s very first nurse associates. Together they spent 675 hours on placement within various care settings, including supporting district nurses and working with the tissue viability team at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. 

As a result of their new qualification, both Miss Webb and Mrs Webber-Waterfield are now able to support Compton’s nursing team on its inpatient unit by carrying out a range of nursing tasks, including administration of medication and wound care, as well as supporting other student healthcare professionals. Mrs Webber-Waterfield said:

“I decided to become a Nurse Associate because I wanted to further my education and career. The training has enabled me to remain at Compton Care over the last two years as an apprentice and therefore continue to support myself and my family financially. 



“I wanted to combine my compassion for others, experience, knowledge and education into a role where I could bring quality care to patients and their loved ones. During the training, I spent one day each week at the University of Wolverhampton where we I had lectures covering topics such as Principles of Nursing Care.

“The apprenticeship has highlighted nursing care is not just about having clinical skills but also about holding good communication skills to be an effective team member as well as an advocate for patients and their loved ones, making sure they are always heard and remain the very centre of our care.” 


Nursing associates work as a vital part of the wider nursing team – this important new role sits between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. Training includes a mixture of hands on experience in the workplace, supported by learning in the classroom. At the end of the course, trainees have a foundation degree, and once registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, they become fully registered nursing associates and can work in a number of different health and care settings.

The role also provides a progression route into graduate-level nursing. Miss Webb added:

“I have always wanted to be a nurse and this opportunity has enabled me to learn new skills and become one step closer to the next stage in my career. Being a nurse associate at Compton Care and the support that I have received from everyone working on our In-patient unit and also within other departments has given me new confidence and knowledge. 



“I work with an amazing team and coming to work each day to provide care for patients here at Compton Care is a pleasure.”