Why become a Nurse?

Becoming a Nurse is an increasingly popular career for many kinds of people and there has never been a better time to join the profession. It can be very hard work, but nursing can be very rewarding and fulfilling. There are a huge variety of roles to choose from - you may wish to work with children, the elderly or in a GP surgery.

How can I become a Nurse?

You will need 5 GCSE's including English, Maths and a Science. You can study for a diploma or do a degree course to qualify as a nurse. These courses are provided by universities with work placements in local hospitals. The courses are 50% theory and 50% practial work.

You can then choose the area you wish to specialise in, for example childrens health, adult health or mental health. Full time diplomas take three years and degree courses can take up to four years. You must be at least seventeen and a half at the start of the course.

Is Nursing right for me?

Nursing is not for everyone, but if you enjoy working with people and making a difference in peoples lives, then nursing has plenty to offer. You must be a good communicator, be able to empathise with people, and be a good listener.

Do I need to be in good health myself?

You will be required to fill in a heath questionnaire when you apply for a nursing course and you will be asked if you have any special needs or disabilites, so you will need to be of satisfactory heath.

What different types of Nursing jobs are there?

There are many different types of nursing jobs. You may wish to work with children, adults, within the prison system, away on cruise ships, within the armed forces, or you may choose to train to become a midwife.

I would like to become a Nurse. How much can I expect to earn?

The salary you will earn will depend on your qualifications. There are nine bands of pay. A clinical support worker nurse would expect to fall into band two, further down the scale, whereas a Health Vistor or advanced Nurse would be band seven, towards the top of the scale and could expect to earn up to £36,000.

Also see :

The Royal College of Nursing - The Royal College of Nursing