Nurse

Also called Adult nurse.

Nurses care for adults who are sick, injured or have physical disabilities. They work in hospitals, clinics, hospices and patients' homes.

Potential salary: £32,000 starter to £48,000 experienced per year
Typical hours: 37 to 42. Working pattern: evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts.
Career area: Health and care
Where they might work: You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre, at a hospice, at an adult care home, at a client's home or in a prison. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding. You may need to wear a uniform.
A typical task: assess patient needs to see if they require immediate attention
Subjects that may help: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
Typical route: You can do a degree in adult nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Interest area used here: Helping and teaching

Career actions

What you might do

assess patient needs to see if they require immediate attention
draw up treatment care plans
check patients' temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate
administer certain medicines, treat wounds and set up drips
monitor patient progress and update medical records
build trusting relationships with patients

More tasks (2)

work closely with doctors and the wider healthcare team
advise patients and their families on how to give ongoing care at home

Could this suit me?

Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.

a desire to help people
sensitivity and understanding
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
knowledge of patient psychology
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure

More skills

patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
excellent verbal communication skills
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Routes into this career

University route

You can do a degree in adult nursing approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
You might be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
You may be able to join the second year of a nursing degree if you already have a degree in: a health-related subject; psychology; life sciences; social work.
Full-time courses usually take 3 years.

University courses that could lead to this career

These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.

Adult nursing
Direct qualifying route. An approved adult nursing degree is a direct route to NMC registration as a nurse.
Public Health
Related, but not enough on its own. Public health is not a nursing qualification.

Explore university routes

Apprenticeship or vocational route

You could apply for a Registered Nurse Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship if you work in a healthcare setting, like a hospital.
This takes around 4 years and is a mix of academic study and on-the-job training.
You'll need the support of your employer to do a degree apprenticeship.
You could work as an assistant practitioner or nursing associate and study for a shortened nursing degree to qualify as a registered adult nurse.

Other routes

You can also train to be a nurse in the armed forces. You can find more information at: Army; Royal Air Force; Royal Navy.
You'll find it helpful to get some relevant experience before you apply for nurse training.
You could: get work experience in social care; search for opportunities with NHS Volunteering; find openings through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations and Do IT.
If you're already a registered nurse, for example in mental health nursing, you may be able to complete a conversion course to become an adult nurse. Courses normally take between 1 and 2 years.

Career progression

With experience, you could: become a clinical team leader, ward manager, or move into a management role like matron or director of nursing; specialise in an area like intensive care, infection control or operating theatre work; train to become a midwife, health visitor, district nurse or practice nurse; become an advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse consultant, if you have a postgraduate qualification; move into teaching and research.

Registration and requirements

you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

pass enhanced background checks

Subjects that may help

Subject guidance

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing
4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Explore the science

Lessons

Background for this kind of work
The Principles of Circulation
Specification 1.6.
Nurses check blood pressure and pulse. This lesson explains why a large animal needs a circulation those checks observe. Taking a pulse is not the same task as explaining diffusion distance.