Adult Nurse Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Adult nurse

Hours

37.5 per week
Starting salary

£21,176 + per year

If you enjoy caring for people and you are looking for a varied job, this could be an ideal career for you. Adult nurses care for people over 18 who are ill, injured, or have physical disabilities.

To work as an adult nurse, you need to complete an approved course. For this you will need proof of English and maths skills, good health and a good character.

Once you have started a nurse training programme, you will divide your time between university and supervised work in local hospitals and the community. You will also need Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.

A good adult nurse has patience and understanding. They have the ability to remain calm under pressure. They are also compassionate and sensitive.

The work

Adult nurses check patients' progress and decide with doctors what care to give. They may also advise and support patients and their relatives.

As an adult nurse, the practical care you give could include:

checking temperatures
measuring blood pressure and breathing rates
helping doctors with physical examinations
giving drugs and injections
cleaning and dressing wounds
giving blood transfusions
using high technology (high-tech) medical equipment.

You could specialise in an area such as accident and emergency, cardiac rehabilitation, outpatients, neonatal nursing, and operating theatre work.

As well as hospitals, you could also work in the community, health centres, clinics or prisons.

Hours

You would usually work 37.5 hours a week, which can include evenings, weekends, night shifts and bank holidays. Many hospitals offer flexible hours or part-time work. Extra hours may also be available.

You could work in a variety of locations including hospital wards, hospices, schools and private hospitals, and in the community visiting patients at home.

Income

Nurses can earn between £21,176 and £27,534 a year. Nurse team leaders and managers can earn around £30,460 to £40,157 a year. Nurse consultants can earn up to £55,945 a year.

Extra allowances may be paid to those living in or around London.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To work as an adult nurse, you need a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)-approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing (adult branch). Please note: The final opportunity to start the nursing diploma will be Spring 2013. From September 2013, students will only be able to qualify as a nurse by studying for a degree.

To do an approved course, you need:

proof of your English and maths skills, good health and good character
evidence of recent successful study (especially if you have been out of education for a number of years)
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.

Criminal Records Bureau

Course providers can also set their own academic entry requirements, which can include:

for a nursing diploma – five GCSEs (A-C) preferably in English, maths and/or a science-based subject
for a nursing degree – the same GCSEs as the diploma, plus two or three A levels, possibly including a biological science or an equivalent qualification.

Some course providers offer Advanced Diplomas in Adult Nursing. This qualification and the entry requirements lie between diploma and degree level.

Check with universities for exact entry requirements, as other qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education course, may also be accepted. For a list of degree and diploma course providers and application advice, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Funding

Nursing students starting to study in 2011 on the nursing diploma and degree courses may get non-repayable bursaries to cover living expenses. Those starting their studies on an approved nursing course from September 2012 will receive a non-means tested grant of £1,000, an additional means tested bursary of £4,395 per year (£5,460 for students in London) and a reduced rate non-means tested loan. For more information on NHS student bursaries and for eligibility, see the NHS Business Services Authority website.

NHS Business Services Authority

When applying for a course, it may be helpful to you if you have some relevant paid or voluntary experience. If you would like to gain relevant volunteer experience, contact the voluntary services coordinator or manager at your local NHS Trust for information and advice.

NHS Choices (for a list of local NHS Trusts)

Alternative entry routes:

You may be able to become an adult nurse through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area.

To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

Apprenticeships

If you are a healthcare assistant with an NVQ Level 3 in Health, and have support from your employer, you may be able to complete nurse training on a part-time basis by applying for a secondment. You would receive a salary whilst studying and once qualified, you may be required to work for a minimum period of time at the NHS Trust that funded you.

If you have a degree at first or second class honours level in a subject related to health or nursing, you could qualify by taking a shorter programme for graduates. You can search for courses on the NHS Careers Course Finder facility.

NHS Careers

As a nurse trained outside the UK and European Economic Area (EEA), you may need to complete the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) before you begin work. Occasionally, EEA trained nurses may also be required to take a capability test (or similar) in order to prove professional competence. See the NMC website for details.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Training and development

Once you have started a nurse training programme, you will divide your time between university and supervised work in local hospitals and the community. Most courses are full-time and take three years to complete.

During the first year you will follow the Common Foundation Programme, which includes:

an introduction to the four branches of nursing and maternity care
developing observation, communication and caring skills
studying anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology and social policy
learning core practical caring skills.

For the remaining two years of training, you will specialise in adult nursing and work at relevant locations. Part-time pre-registration nursing courses are available, usually lasting five or six years. These are usually open to existing staff who have a minimum of a level 3 qualification. Courses are subject to availability and the requirements of the employing organisation.

With further study (for example to Masters level) you may be able to apply for advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) and clinical nurse specialist (CNS) posts. Experience in these roles can lead to a nurse consultant job. Nurse consultants work directly and independently with patients, carry out research and deliver training. You may need to be working towards a PhD in a relevant subject.

Professional registration

As a qualified nurse you must renew your professional registration with the NMC every three years. To renew, you need to have worked a minimum of 450 hours and completed at least five study days of professional development every three years. Check with the NMC for details.

Nursing and Midwifery Council

Return to practice

If you are a former registered nurse wanting to return to the profession, you can take a return-to-practice course. Contact your local NHS Trust for details.

NHS Choices (for a list of local NHS Trusts)

Skills and knowledge

To become an adult nurse you need to have:

strong communication and listening skills
a genuine desire to help people
a non-judgemental attitude to care
a clear understanding of confidentiality
good teamwork skills and the ability to work on your own initiative
physical and mental stamina
a mature, compassionate and sensitive manner
good practical skills
patience and empathy
the ability to inspire confidence and trust
the ability to remain calm under pressure
good organisational and time management skills
a flexible approach to work.

More information

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (Opens new window)
23 Portland Place
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7333 9333
www.nmc-uk.org

Queens University of Belfast (Opens new window)
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Medical Biology Centre
97 Lisburn Road
Belfast
BT9 7BL
Tel: 028 9097 2233
www.qub.ac.uk

University of Ulster at Jordanstown (Opens new window)
School of Nursing
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 0QB
Tel: 08700 400 700
www.ulster.ac.uk

Health Learning and Skills Advice Line (Opens new window)
Tel: 08000 150850

National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare (Opens new window)
Innovation House
Bridgend Road
Llanharan
CF72 9RP
Tel: 01443 233 333
www.nliah.wales.nhs.uk/

NHS Careers (Opens new window)
PO Box 2311
Bristol
BS2 2ZX
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk

Skills for Health (Opens new window)
Goldsmiths House
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Opportunities

You will find most jobs in the NHS. You could also work at private hospitals and nursing homes, schools and colleges, HM Forces, the prison service and in industry.

With experience you could progress to sister, ward manager or team leader with responsibility for running a ward or a team of nurses in the community. You could go on to other management roles, such as a matron or director of nursing.

As a qualified adult nurse, you could train in another branch, such as child, learning disability or mental health, by completing a ‘second registration’ course. These take around one year to complete, and you will usually need evidence of recent study and financial support from your employer.

Other options include going on to train as a midwife, neonatal nurse, health visitor, district or practice nurse. You could also find opportunities for self-employment or overseas work.

You may find the following useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:

National Health Service (NHS)
Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)

The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:

primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)

NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).

The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.

Key facts:

The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.

There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.

National and regional data

High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:

London
South East
North West

East Midlands

The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

East of England

The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

London

The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

North East

The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

North West

The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

South East

The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

South West

The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

West Midlands

The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

Yorkshire and the Humber

The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.

Northern Ireland