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Nurse
Healthcare

How to become a Nurse

What does a Nurse do?

Are you a caring and compassionate person? Are at your happiest when helping people? You should become a Nurse…

Nurses make up the largest group of staff in the NHS, and are an essential part of the healthcare system. It is their job to help assist patients, and provide everything from initial assessments and basic treatment through to administering intravenous medications, dealing with accidents and emergencies and assisting in the operating theatre.

Nurses can choose to specialise in Adult Nursing, Paediatrics, Mental Health Nursing, Learning & Disability Nursing, and a whole host of other disciplines, with each requiring dedicated training and qualifications.

Although day-to-day responsibilities may vary, typical duties for a Nurse may include:

  • Listening to the patients requirements and conducting assessments
  • Consulting with Doctors to decide the best course of care
  • Monitoring patients progress, and applying dressings, administering medication and cleaning and dressing wounds
  • Advising users and their families about potential therapies or self-treatment they need to maintain
  • Arranging any follow-up treatment or check-ups once a patient is discharged

Is a career as a Nurse right for me?

To become a Nurse, a caring and compassionate personality is essential. You must be passionate about helping people, and able to stay calm in stressful situations. This career path is perhaps best avoided if you’re easily squeamish at the sight of blood or needles.

You should also be prepared for evening, weekend and shift work, and comfortable when working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Other key skills include:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills and bedside manner
  • Sensitivity, tact, and the ability to build trust and maintain confidentially at all times
  • Excellent listening skills
  • Good scientific knowledge
  • Ability to explain complex pieces of medical information easily and succinctly to patients and their families
  • Drive and self-motivation

Explore your opportunities

Nurse jobs (2,092)

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Nursing (4,070)
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Career progression and salary expectations for a Nurse

1

Nurse

| Up to £28,000
2

Nurse Team Leader

| Up to £35,000
3

Nursing Consultant

| Up to £50,000

Get qualified as a Nurse

To become a Nurse, you typically need to gain a degree in nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This could be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSc Nursing). These programs cover essential topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing practice across various healthcare settings. Additionally, you'll need to undergo clinical placements to gain practical experience under the supervision of qualified nurses. Upon completing your degree, you must register with the NMC to practice as a nurse legally in the UK. Continuing education and professional development are essential for maintaining registration and staying updated on best practices and regulations in nursing.

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What's it like to be a Nurse?

"Being a Nurse is one of the most rewarding careers you can have. Every day I come to work knowing that I'm helping people feel better, and potentially saving lives. There’s a lot of pressure to get things right, and this is not a job you can do in half measures. But the feeling of satisfaction you see a patient getting better makes all the hard work worth it."

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