Back to Career Guides

How to become a Nurse

2,297

Nurse jobs

3,788

Nurse courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Nurse

Nurse

| Up to £28,000

Nurse Team Leader

| Up to £35,000

Nursing Consultant

| Up to £50,000

The role of 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

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."

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.

Recommended Nursing courses

Adult Nursing Assistant & Safeguarding Training

Janets

15 Courses Bundle | CPD Certified | 150 CPD Points | Free PDF Certificates | 24/7 Tutor Support | Lifetime Access
- Compare
- 40 students
- Online
- 135 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- 10 CPD points
- Tutor support
Great service

See more See less

The world of adult nursing isn't just about administering care; it's a profound responsibility entwined with the emotional fabric of individuals’ lives. The pain doesn't merely echo in the complexity of medical procedures but in the struggle to navigate the myriad facets of careg …
£79
Level 3 Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing)

Learning Curve Group

Become a Nurse. Pay nothing for this course if you progress onto university.
- Compare
- 42,713 enquiries
- Online
- 12 months · Part-time
- Regulated qualification
- Exam(s) included
- Tutor support
Great service

Highly rated

Trending

See more See less

If nursing has always been your dream job, or you’re looking to make a career change, the Access to HE Diploma (Nursing) is a level 3 qualification designed to prepare you to study a degree in nursing. If you don’t have the grades you need to apply for university, an Access to HE …
Free