In the UK, general, integrated and specialist nursing services are provided across all healthcare settings, including primary care, secondary care, hospital, clinical and community settings. Nurses often provide frontline, patient-focused care, working directly with patients. They work autonomously, in nurse-led teams, and in multidisciplinary teams, working collaboratively with medical, allied health, health science and support staff.
Nursing continues to be a challenging and rewarding profession, offering ample opportunities for career development and specialisation in areas of interest. In the UK, nursing roles are divided into several bands or levels, providing many professional pathways and supported career progression opportunities.
General Nurses (Band 5) have undertaken a bachelor or master’s degree in nursing, or alternatively, a nursing degree apprenticeship, and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Depending on their qualification, they may work as an Adult Nurse, Children’s Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, or Learning Disability Nurse – however some Nurses complete dual qualifications enabling them to work in more than one area, and many undertake further training to work in specialist areas of medicine, healthcare, or management. General Nurses work in a range of clinical and community settings, including emergency, acute care, primary care, surgical and secondary care settings. They provide person-centred and evidence-based nursing care, including preventative, curative, supportive, restorative, and palliative health care. They assess and monitor patients, and administer immunisations, medicines and IV Drugs. They evaluate care plans and advocate for their patients. With further clinical experience, they can pursue roles as District Nurses, GP Nurses (primary care), Neonatal Nurses, Prison Nurses, School Nurses and Theatre Nurses. General Nurses work independently as well as under the direction and supervision of senior nurses and medical staff. They also work within multi-disciplinary teams and may be responsible for leading a team of Nursing associates and healthcare support workers. General Nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, GP surgeries, private practices, community health clinics, residences, schools, and they may visit people in their own homes.