A Registered Nurse (RN) is a graduate professional, they provide care for patients and service users in the area in which they are skilled and competent to practice in
Overview
- A Registered nurse (RN) is a graduate professional who has completed a nursing programme leading to registration with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK, or has completed registration with the NMC having qualified as a nurse outside of the UK.
- A registered nurse provides care for patients and service users in the area of practice in which they are skilled and
competent to practice in. - There are 4 fields of nursing – adult nursing, children's nursing, learning disability nursing and mental health nursing
- Nursing is person centred, providing services that are high quality and based on research and evidence.
- At the heart of nursing are the 6 C’s – Care, Compassion, Communication, Commitment, Competence and Courage.
The benefits of a career in nursing
- career opportunities
- highly competitive graduate salary
- flexible working
- additions to basic pay for working unsocial hours and working in London
- excellent NHS pension
- annual leave – start at 27 days rising up to 33 days on top of eight public holidays
- occupational health services
- maternity and paternity leave
- continuing professional development (CPD)
- as well as working in the NHS, there are opportunities to work in social care, voluntary and private sectors
Videos
This is Nursing – Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
Real Heroes – Nurses Day 2017 - RCN
More Information
Nursing Midwifery Council – Becoming a nurse
Becoming a nurse – Royal College of Nursing
Primary Care & General Practice Nursing Career & Core Capabilities Framework Click here to view
Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework Video (Health Education England - HEE)
Four Fields of Nursing
Adult NursingAdult nurses work with patients over 18. They can work in hospitals or in community settings such as people’s homes, health centres or nursing homes. Once qualified, they can take extra courses to specialise in areas such as cancer care, women’s health, accident and emergency, critical care, practice nursing, health visiting or school nursing. |
Child NursingChildren’s nurses work with children and young people up to 19 years old, and can work in a variety of settings, from specialist baby care units to adolescent units. Children react to illness in a very different way to adults, and children’s nurses are specially trained to understand their needs. Children’s nurses also support, advise and educate parents and carers. Once qualified, they can specialise in areas such as health visiting, school nursing, intensive care, child safeguarding and cancer care. |
Learning Disabilities Nursingwho qualify in this branch of nursing help people of all ages with learning disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives. They may work with people in supported accommodation, or with those who need more intensive support - for instance, in hospitals or in specialist secure units for offenders with learning disabilities. There is also the opportunity to specialise in areas such as epilepsy management or working with people with sensory impairment. |
Mental Health NursingMental health nurses plan and deliver care for people living at home, in small residential units or in specialist hospital services. Nurses working in this field need enhanced communication skills to support families and carers. They work with other health care professionals to ensure patients with mental illness get the specialised care they need. They may develop expertise in areas such as rehabilitation, child and adolescent mental health, substance misuse or working in secure settings. |
How to get there….
Direct Entry
- BSc (Hons) Nursing
- University degree
- A levels related subjects or equivalent
- 3 years
Non-direct Entry
- Nursing Associate
- GCSE English & Maths (A-C or 4-9) or equivalent
- Apprenticeship - Employment with healthcare organization offering apprenticeship degree programme
- 2 years to complete foundation degree
Direct Entry
- Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
- GCSE in English & Maths (A-C or 4-9) or equivalent
- Local HEI requirements
- 4 years
Non-direct Entry
- Assistant Practitioner
- GCSE English & Maths A-C or 4-9) or equivalent
- Employment with healthcare organization offering access to programme
- 2 years to complete foundation degree
Adult nursing
- Adult nurses provide care for adults of all ages.
- They provide person-centred care - this means building good relationships with patients as well as their families.
- Adult nurses assess, plan, coordinate and manage care for their patients, while working closely with other health and social care professionals plus members of the care team.
- They can work in a range of place including hospitals and in local community services (like District Nursing or GP practices). There are also opportunities to work in a wide range of specialist services, as well as residential and care homes
Videos
Christie Watson – The Language of Kindness
More Information
This is Nursing – Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
Learning Disability Nursing
- Learning disability nurses help people of all ages with learning disabilities to maintain their health and wellbeing, and to live their lives as fully and independently as possible.
- Learning disability nurses offer help support and guidance to families, carers and friends.
- They work closely and collaboratively with other health, social work and educational professionals, and all members of the learning disability care team.
- Many nurses work in local community services where a lot of care is provided. There are also many opportunities to work in hospitals, or residential, educational and specialist services.
Videos
Careers in Learning Disability Nursing
This is Nursing – inspirational stories and experiences
Children’s Nursing
- Children’s nurses provide family centred care, building good relationships with children and young people they care for and most importantly with their families.
- Children’s nurses assess, plan, co-ordinate and manage care working closely with the family to support and guide them in maintaining their role and relationship with the child or young person.
- They work closely with other health and social care professionals, members of the care team and often with teachers and education workers as well.
- They work in hospitals and in local community services, in mental health and education and there are opportunities to work in a wide range of specialist services.
Videos
Mental Health Nursing
- Mental Health nurses support people with mental ill health, such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, drug and alcohol addiction.
- They aim to build good relationships with service users and their families to support the therapy process.
- Mental Health nurses assess, plan, coordinate and manage care , while working closely with other health and social care professionals plus members of the care team.
- Many work in local community services where a most care is provided. There are also opportunities to work in hospitals as well as residential and specialist services
Videos
Mental Health Nursing – Keep it in mind
More Information
BSc (Hons) Nursing
Overview
- The Registered Nurse role in the UK is a graduate professional. In order to register as a nurse with the Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) you must complete a recognised degree award that is accredited by the NMC.
- It is normally a 3 year programme that ensures learning the knowledge and skills of nursing both in the university and in the healthcare environment
Cost
University course fees
Time Taken
3 years to qualify as a registered nurse
Opportunities to 'top –up' foundation degree programmes
Entry Requirements
- UCAS provides details of entry criteria for each university
- GCSE English & Maths grade A-C or recognised equivalent
- Health clearance
- Police clearance UK DBS
Other Information
Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
Overview
- An apprenticeship is a system of learning and working enabling people to achieve a qualification in their chosen career.
- The Nursing degree apprenticeship is a new way of becoming a Registered nurse in the UK
- Apprentices are employed in health organisations that offer the programme and are students at a university that partners with the employer. They are supported by the employer and the university to achieve the learning and skills required to become a registered nurse.
- There are increasing opportunities for Health Care Support workers to apply for an apprenticeship through their employer
Cost
The course fees are met by the employer
Time Taken
- Up to 4 years to qualify as a registered nurse
- Opportunities to 'top up' foundation degree qualifications on shortened 2 year programmes
Entry Requirements
- Employment with healthcare organization offering apprenticeship degree programme
- GCSE English & Maths grade A-C or recognised equivalent
- A-levels or equivalent qualifications
- Health clearance
- Police clearance – UK DBS
Videos
NHS Apprentice Recruitment Introduction
Leanne Richards Nursing associate in training
Health – apprenticeships sector in the spotlight
Other Information
Nurse apprenticeships - Factsheet
NHS Employers website - Learn more about the different routes to recruiting your nursing workforce and ways to increase your nursing supply.
