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.

Nurse and Midwife Managers (Band 7), including Nurse Practitioners and other advanced nursing roles, require extensive clinical experience. Nurses at this level have undertaken a master’s degree and specialist training to expand their clinical, diagnostic and leadership skills. They may manage caseloads of patients, perform advanced health assessments, and initiate and interpret diagnostic investigations. They may design, implement and monitor care plans in collaboration with patients, families/caregivers, and other health professionals. They can prescribe medications and provide and receive referrals to/from other health providers. They have management and facilitator responsibilities, where they lead teams, and manage the delivery and quality assurance of services. These roles can involve education and teaching, clinical research, or specialisation in an area of healthcare, such as paediatrics, intensive care, emergency care, perioperative care, rehabilitation, coronary care, oncology, haematology, diabetes, or renal medicine.