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.

Midwives (BAND 5-6) provide education, support and health care to women during pregnancy and childbirth. They help to deliver babies and provide antenatal and postnatal services to women, their babies, their partners, and families. They deliver antenatal and parenting classes, conduct clinical examinations and screening, and provide advice and information. They provide emotional and clinical support during labour and after birth, helping new mothers with breastfeeding and caregiving. They have other training, quality assurance, management and record-keeping responsibilities. Midwives work with gynaecologists, GPs, health visitors, neonatal nurses and maternity support workers. They work in primary and acute care settings, where they may be responsible for triage and assessment of high and low risk labour or need to identify and respond to emergency situations. In hospitals, they work in maternity units, postnatal wards and neonatal units. They also work in community clinics or provide home visits. Midwives have undertaken a degree in Midwifery, or postgraduate certificate following a Nursing degree, and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).