The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has criticised job adverts for registered nurse positions that indicate that other registered healthcare professionals, such as nursing associates (NAs), can apply. The roles highlighted range from band 5 up to associate director of nursing level. The college has issued a position statement on registered nurse substitution, which also highlights ‘reports of student nurses being used to cover staffing gaps in practice’, adding that all preregistration nursing students must be completely supernumerary while on placement. In its statement, the RCN says a registered NA should never be used as a substitute for a nurse when a position cannot be filled. RCN deputy president Alison Leary says such recruitment is ‘risky for the employer, the employee and patient safety’.