Nurse

What is the work like?

Nurses work with patients who are ill or injured, or who need care due to age or disability. As well as providing care for patients and supporting their treatment and recovery, nurses give support and advice to patients' families and carers. They also promote good health.

Nurses work in a variety of different settings and their duties vary. For example:

• on a hospital ward, a nurse may check a patient's medical history and devise a care plan, check blood pressure and temperature, observe and record changes in the patient's condition, give medication and change dressings
• in an accident and emergency unit, a nurse may decide on the order in which patients should be treated (known as triage) and treat a wide range of conditions, from wounds to heart attacks
• in an operating theatre, nurses assist surgeons and other healthcare professionals by preparing and passing instruments and caring for patients in the recovery room
• in a GP surgery or health centre, a nurse may run clinics for people with conditions such as asthma or diabetes, carry out health screening and give injections
• in the community, nurses offer care and support to patients in their homes or workplaces.

Nurses work closely with other members of the healthcare team including doctors, radiographers, physiotherapists, pharmacists and healthcare assistants. They may also liaise with social workers and teachers.

Nurses initially train to work in one of four branches:

• adult nursing
• children's nursing
• mental health nursing
• learning disability nursing.

Further information on some of the specialisms within nursing is available in the separate articles Adult Nurse, Children's Nurse, District Nurse, Health Visitor, Learning Disability Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Health Nurse and School Nurse.

Most nurses are employed within the NHS (National Health Service).

Hours and environment

Full-time nurses work 37.5 hours a week. This can include covering early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays on a shift or rota system. Overtime may be available. There are opportunities for flexible or part-time work.

Nurses work in a range of settings from hospital wards and GP surgeries to patients' homes, care homes and workplaces.

Most nurses wear uniform as well as protective clothing such as gloves and masks when required.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• A newly qualified nurse in the NHS earns from £21,176 a year.
• Nurses with advanced skills or in team management roles may earn up to £34,189 a year.
• A modern matron can earn up to £46,621 and a nurse consultant up to £67,134 a year.

Salaries are higher in and around London.

Skills and personal qualities

A nurse should:

• be able to relate to people from different backgrounds and cultures
• have practical skills
• remain calm in difficult situations
• pay attention to detail
• be able to gain the trust of patients and their families
• be non-judgmental
• have the confidence to make decisions and work independently
• work well in a team
• be able to prioritise.

Interests

It is important to be interested in:

• helping people
• human biology and health issues.

Getting in

The NHS employs around 400,000 qualified nursing staff in England. There are also opportunities in:

• private healthcare
• with nursing agencies
• in nursing and residential homes
• with charities and voluntary organisations, such as hospices
• in the pharmaceutical industry
• in the Prison Service and armed forces
• in schools and universities
• in the occupational health departments of large organisations
• on cruise ships.

Vacancies are advertised on the NHS jobs website, in local newspapers, on the websites of NHS trusts and in magazines like Nursing Times.

Candidates must pass occupational health and Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Entry routes

Nurses must hold a degree or diploma in nursing and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

From September 2013, all entrants to nursing will have to study for a degree. Between 2011 and then, diplomas will be phased out so it is possible that, from September 2011, some universities will only offer degrees. There is more information on the NHS Careers website. Candidates should also check with individual universities and colleges.

There are various entry routes:

• Direct entry to a degree or diploma course at university, usually three years full time or five to six years part time, for candidates with appropriate academic qualifications.
• With a degree in a health-related subject, graduates can take an accelerated training programme, usually a minimum of 24 months.
• After taking a foundation degree, it may be possible to study part time for a nursing degree or diploma whilst working as a healthcare assistant.
• Through Apprenticeships and cadet schemes, available in some areas. The trainee works in the NHS in a support role for about two years, gaining experience in several areas of healthcare and gains an NVQ Level 2 or 3. They can then apply to start a nursing degree or diploma course, either full time or part time.
• After gaining relevant experience in the NHS, for instance as a healthcare assistant, followed by part-time study for a nursing degree or diploma. Applicants may be supported by their employer to undertake part-time nursing degree or diploma courses, provided they have the academic ability to cope with the demands of the course.

Nursing degree and diploma courses, known as pre-registration training, are offered at universities throughout the country.

Universities and colleges set their own entry requirements, but they generally ask for five GCSEs (A*-C), including English language or literature and a science subject, for a diploma. For degree courses, the usual entry requirements are five GCSEs (A*-C) and two A levels, or equivalent. Those without formal qualifications may be able to take an Access course.

It is an advantage to have relevant work experience, whether paid or voluntary, for example, with an NHS trust, St John's Ambulance or another voluntary organisation.

NHS student bursaries may be available for those undertaking pre-registration training.

Training

Before applying for a course, candidates choose which of the four branches of nursing they wish to study. All courses share a common foundation programme, usually lasting one year in the case of full-time programmes. In the remaining years, training focuses on the chosen branch. All courses are a roughly equal mix of theory and practical work, with time spent in college and on placements in both hospital and community settings. Placements during the second and third years of a full-time course are intended to be relevant to the chosen branch of nursing.

On completing their course, nurses must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

New treatments and techniques are introduced all the time, so it is essential that nurses update their skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis. Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential in order to remain eligible to practise.

Getting on

There are good opportunities for promotion and specialisation. Nurses can move into nurse management or general NHS management. They can take further specialist training in order to work in areas such as diabetes or pain management, or to become health visitors, district nurses or occupational health nurses. They can move into teaching or research, offer health advice by telephone with NHS Direct or work overseas.

Further information

Community and District Nursing Association (CDNA), 22-24 Worple Road, London SW9 4DD. 020 8971 4268. Website: www.cdnaonline.org

Health Learning and Skills Advice Line: call 08000 150 850.

NHS Careers. 0345 60 60 655. Websites: www.jobs.nhs.uk, www.nhscareers.nhs.uk and www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk

NHS Student Bursaries, Hesketh House, 200-220 Broadway, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8SS. 0845 358 6655. Website: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 23 Portland Place, London W1B 1PZ. 020 7333 9333. Website: www.nmc-uk.org

Royal College of Nursing (RCN), 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN. 020 7409 3333. Website: www.rcn.org.uk

Skills for Health, 2nd Floor, Goldsmiths House, Broad Plain, Bristol BS2 0JP. 0117 922 1155. Website: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Further reading

A Career for you in the NHS - NHS Careers

Careers in Nursing - NHS Careers

Working in community healthcare - VT Lifeskills

Working in hospitals - VT Lifeskills

Magazines/journals

NMC News - NMC

Nursing Standard

Nursing Times

Primary Nursing Care - CDNA

(Some may be priced)

May 2010

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