It’s a highly responsible and extremely varied job, where people skills and initiative are essential for the hands-on care that nurses provide. As well as working in hospitals, there are opportunities across the community, such as in GP practices, clinics, and schools.
Did you know?
94% of nursing students get a job within six months of finishing their course.
You can become a nurse by completing an apprenticeship meaning you will earn whilst you learn
One in 10 hospital nurses in Britain are male. Fifty years ago, the figure was one in a hundred.
This video from a group of our nurses and midwives who work in a range of areas including adult nursing, midwifery, NHS 111, mental health and learning disability nursing
Adult nursing specialises in caring for people aged 18 and above.
Child nursing specialises in caring for people aged under 18
You will support adults and children with a range of mental health conditions. Mental health nursing is a demanding but rewarding career choice. Your role would be promoting and supporting a person’s recovery and enabling them to have more involvement and control over their condition. If you are interested in a career in mental health you can find more information here - https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/delivering-the-nhs-ltp/mental-health-nursing/
You will work with adults and children who have a range of learning disabilities. A learning disability nurse works to improve or maintain their patient’s health, encourage independent living and help them lead a fulfilling life.
General practice nurses work in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team, which might include doctors, pharmacists and dietitians.
Nursing associate is a new role within the nursing team. Nursing associates work with healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public. Your duties are likely to include: - undertaking clinical tasks including venepuncture and ECGs - supporting individuals and their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life-changing diagnoses - performing and recording clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse - discussing and sharing information with registered nurses on a patients’ condition, behaviour, activity and responses - ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times - recognising issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults
A working day for a nursing apprentice
Healthcare support workers (HCSWs) are an essential part of a health or social care team, providing high quality and compassionate care to individuals. They carry out well-defined routine clinical duties and essential fundamentals of care. HCSWs work in a range of healthcare settings and work with others from both health and social care, reporting to a registered healthcare practitioner.
The work varies depending on where you're based. In a hospital for example, you may be * washing and dressing patients * serving meals and helping to feed patients * helping people to move around * toileting * making beds * talking to patients and making them comfortable * monitoring patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight In a health centres and GP surgery, you may * sterilise equipment * do health checks * restock consulting rooms * process lab samples * take blood samples * do health promotion or health education work
The Academy is part of the Hertfordshire and west Essex Integrated Care System where NHS organisations, in partnership with local councils and others, take collective responsibility for managing resources, delivering NHS standards, and improving the health of the population they serve.
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