Test your knowledge of nursing support work
How much do you know about the nursing support workforce and its vital work?
Test your knowledge with our quick quiz.
Question 1
What are some of the settings where nursing support staff may work? (Select all that apply)
A Airplanes
That's incorrect. Nursing support staff don't usually work on airplanes. Instead, specialist flight nurses provide urgent and critical care for patients transported by air.
B GP practices
That's correct. Nursing support staff work at GP practices, along with many other settings.
C Nursing/care homes
That's correct. Nursing support staff work at nursing/ care homes, along with many other settings.
D Prisons
That's correct. Nursing support staff work at prisons, along with many other settings.
Question 2
Which of the following roles is NOT part of the nursing support workforce?
A Assistant Practitioner
That’s incorrect. Assistant Practitioners are part of the nursing support workforce.
B Health Care Assistant
That’s incorrect. Health Care Assistants are part of the nursing support workforce.
C Midwife
That's correct! A midwife is not part of the nursing support workforce. Midwives are qualified independent health care professionals that are registered and regulated. Maternity Support Workers provide care under the supervision of a registered midwife as part of the multi-disciplinary team.
D Nursing Associate
That’s incorrect. Nursing Associates are part of the nursing support workforce.
Question 3
What are some of the day-to-day responsibilities of someone in a nursing support worker role? (Select all that apply)
A Assisting with record keeping
That's correct. Nursing support workers assist with record keeping, among many other responsibilities.
B Helping patients with daily activities, such as washing, dressing, eating, drinking and getting mobile
That's correct. Nursing support workers help patients with daily activities, among many other responsibilities.
C Preparing patients for operations
That's incorrect. While a nursing support worker might assist a registered nurse with preparing patients for operations, they aren’t responsible for this task.
D Taking and recording patient observations, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, fluid intake and output and weight
That's correct. Nursing support workers take and record patient observations, among many other responsibilities.
Question 4
Which of the following do all nursing support workers need? (Select all that apply)
A Compassion and empathy
That's correct. All nursing support workers need compassion and empathy.
B Strong communication and interpersonal skills
That's correct. All nursing support workers need strong communication and interpersonal skills.
C The ability to work well in a team
That's correct. All nursing support workers need the ability to work well in a team.
D A degree in nursing
That's incorrect. While some roles like Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate require you to take a foundation degree-level training programme, not all nursing support workers need a degree in nursing. They receive specific training dependent on the role that they do.
Question 5
What is one key benefit of having nursing support workers in a health care team?
A They eliminate the need for registered nurses
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers don't eliminate the need for registered nurses.
B They handle all administrative tasks
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers don't handle all administrative tasks.
C They improve patient experience and continuity of care
That’s correct! Nursing support workers deliver excellent, personalised care that helps the smooth-running of health and social care settings.
D They reduce the need for doctors
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers don't reduce the need for doctors.
Question 6
How do nursing support workers contribute to patient safety?
A By enforcing hospital policies
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers aren't responsible for enforcing hospital policies.
B By managing medication stock
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers aren't responsible for managing medication stock.
C By monitoring patients and reporting concerns to clinical staff
That’s correct! Nursing support workers deliver excellent, personalised care that helps uphold patient safety.
D By performing diagnostic tests
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers aren't responsible for performing diagnostic tests.
Question 7
Which of the below is a common challenge faced by nursing support workers?
A Their contributions are sometimes undervalued despite being essential
That’s unfortunately correct. That’s why Nursing Support Workers’ Day is so vital.
B They have complete autonomy in clinical decision-making
That’s incorrect. Nursing support workers don't have complete autonomy in clinical decision-making
C They rarely interact with patients
That's incorrect. Nursing support workers regularly interact with patients.
Question 8
"The RCN only represents and supports registered nurses." Is this statement true or false?
A It's true
That’s incorrect. We’re proud to represent and support members from across the nursing community, and that very much includes members of the nursing support workforce. Nursing support workers are represented at every level of our college, right up to our highest governing body, RCN Council.
B It's false
That’s correct! We’re proud to represent and support members from across the nursing community, and that very much includes members of the nursing support workforce. Nursing support workers are represented at every level of our college, right up to our highest governing body, RCN Council.
Question 9
Here at the RCN, our Professional Nursing Forums enable members to contribute to consultations and policies, network with peers and get support with career development. But how many of the forums can Nursing Support Workers join?
A 1-10
That's incorrect. Nursing Support Workers can join over 30 forums!
B 11-20
That's incorrect. Nursing Support Workers can join over 30 forums!
C 21-30
That's incorrect. Nursing Support Workers can join over 30 forums!
D More than 30
That's correct. Nursing Support Workers can join a huge variety of forums, ensuring their voices are heard when we make important decisions about the future of nursing.
How did you do? We hope you learnt something new about the vital and diverse work of the nursing support workforce.
Celebrate Nursing Support Workers' Day
On 23 November, we shine a light on the often unseen but essential care nursing support workers give to patients and their families.
Find out more about the day and how you can get involved.
