Table 1 Variation in nursing support roles across the EU

Number of nurses per 1000 population [6]

5.16

5.51

7.86

7.99

8.07

10.46

12.85

14.26

16.09

Tiers in the nursing system [1, 13]

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Medical

Carer

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Nursing Assistant

Three-tier system (since 2017)

1. Registered Nurses

2. Nurse Associate

3. HCA

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Care Assistant

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Hospital

Attendant

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Nurse Assistant

Two-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Healthcare

Assistant

Three-tier system

1. Registered Nurse

2. Licensed Practical Nurse

3. Care Assistant

Two-tier system

1. Registered nurse

2. Social/Health Care Assistant

HCA or equivalent classification [1, 12]

Medical Carer (Opiekun medyczny)

Nursing Assistant (técnico en cuidados auxiliares de enfermeria)

Health Care Assistant; Nursing Assistant; Care Assistant; Clinical Support Worker

Care assistant (Pflegehelfer/-in) Home helper in care homes

Hospital Attendant (Ošetřovatel)

Nurse assistant (Aide Soignant/e)

Health care assistant-varies by state e.g. Certifies care Assistant

Care Assistant (Lähihoitaja)

Social/Health Care Assistant (Social- og sundhedsassisten)

Training period for HCA [1, 12]

2 years

8 months approx

No statutory requirement

1600 h

4 years

10 months

2 years approx

Several months; no recognised qualification

8–12 months

Mode of regulation of nursing support workers [1, 13]

National for Medical Carers. Ministry of Health regulates training

National law on duties of care Assistants. Ministry of Health regulates training

National for Nurse Associates trained and regulated by Royal College of Nurses

No national regulation for HCAs

Federal law on duties and training of Care Assistants

National and licensed duties and training

National for Nurse Assistants, regulation via Ministry of Health

Federal law regulates training

National and Licensed Practical Nurses

No national regulation for Care Assistants

National for Social/Health Care Assistants with compulsory registration and license