HCAs, APs and SNAs
Use this guide to find information resources related to healthcare assistants, nursing support workers, assistant practitioners and student nursing associates including books, reports and journal articles.
Key Resources
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First Steps is the RCN’s most popular free e-learning tool for health care assistants. It’s a perfect resource to dip in and out of, whether you’re new to the post or looking to refresh your knowledge and skills.
View page
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This resource aims to help you to understand the development and career opportunities available for the nursing support workforce across health and social care.
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England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Social care (Scotland)
Wales
Books












Book subject searches
Journal articles
Journals
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For healthcare support workers across the UK:
RCN Health+Care
Exhibitions

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This exhibiion uncovers the long history of nursing support workers and celebrates the contribution that they continue to make today – in hospital wards, care homes, clinics and communities.
View online exhibition
Videos
This subject guide relates to:

Caroline Lynch
Editor of this guide
RCN Library and Museum
Upcoming events relating to this subject guide
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12 Nov 2025
Online
Nurse workplace resilience: a top priority webinar
This interactive webinar session will explore the meaning of resilience to you, an opportunity for you to reflect on your personal and external resources to promote your own resilience, and who you work with, for the benefit of all. As well as some stress management strategies. Suitable for all roles in the nursing team, working in any sector. This event is organised by RCN Wales, but you do not need to be based in Wales to join us!
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22 Nov 2025 London
RCN Nursing Support Workers Conference 2025
Join us to celebrate Nursing Support Workers’ Day at our annual conference for Nursing Support Workers, taking place at RCN HQ in London.
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26 Nov 2025 Cardiff
RCN Wales Health Care Support Worker Conference 2025
Bookings now open for the RCN Wales Health Care Support Worker Conference 2025. Join us for a day of reflection and celebration, focussing on the contribution of Health Care Support Workers across Wales.
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02 Dec 2025
Online
RCN Wales Roundtable for the Independent Sector - virtual
RCN Wales will be hosting an online roundtable for nursing staff working in the independent health and social care sector, on ‘Leadership, Learning and Future Directions: Reflections from Independent Health and Social Care.' This event will also provide an opportunity to network with other colleagues based within the Independent Sector to share stories and your unique experiences of working in Wales. This event is open to both RCN members and non-members who work in Wales in the Independent Health and Social Care sector.
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02 Dec 2025 Aberdeen
Grampian nursing support worker education event (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary)
RCN Scotland is delivering free education sessions for all those working in support roles in nursing at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Grampian.
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11 Dec 2025 Online
Record Keeping webinar
This online webinar aims to reflect on how good record keeping supports health care practice and quality of care, describe expectations and standards for record keeping, and highlight resources to support good record keeping practice. This event is suitable for all members of the nursing team: registered nurses, Health Care Support Workers/ Health Care Assistants, and nursing students working in the NHS or Independent Health & Social Care Sector. Organised by RCN Wales, but you don't have to be based in Wales to join us!
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04 Feb 2026 - 11 Feb 2026 Online
Compassionate Leadership programme
Study this online programme to understand how Compassionate leadership enables everyone to feel valued, included and encouraged, so they can reach their full potential and do their best at work. 2 days of taught sessions plus self-directed learning and an assessment. Successful completion of the unit will gain you 2 academic credits at Level 3, accredited by Agored Cymru.
Page last updated - 26/09/2025