Working as a nurse is a rewarding and diverse career, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference to people's lives.
In this article, we'll cover:
- What is a nurse?
- What do nurses do?
- Why become a nurse?
- How to become a nurse in the UK
- Frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse
Key facts
- The average starting salary for a nurse in 2024 is £28,000 according to the National Careers Service
- If you study a degree to become a nurse, you get a training grant of up to £5,000 per year from the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). You do not have to pay this back.
- You may be expected to work some evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
- There are three main routes to becoming a nurse: university degree, apprenticeship and through the armed forces.
What is a nurse?
A nurse is a healthcare professional who helps patients receive medical assistance. Nurses care for babies, children and adults who are:
- Sick
- Injured
- Have learning disabilities
- Have physical disabilities
- Have mental health issues
What do nurses do?
As a nurse, you'll work in a team with other healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat patients in various settings. Nurses work with surgeons, physicians, specialists, assistants, technicians and many other healthcare providers.
Your daily duties as a nurse could include:
- Taking a patient's vital signs, measurements and medical history
- Drawing blood samples
- Physically examining a patient
- Completing patient assessments
- Requesting and conducting diagnostic tests
Why become a nurse?
Frequently asked questions about becoming a nurse
To summarise, becoming a nurse is an incredibly rewarding career and you'll have the opportunity to really help people.
If you have questions or want to find out more about becoming a nurse, chat to our team.
