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.

Nursing Directors are part of the management and leadership team. They sit on management boards and are responsible for clinical governance and risk management. They act as senior advisors, and report and apply governance and regulatory frameworks to monitor, review and improve clinical performance and health service delivery. Nursing directors work in large healthcare organisations – such as the NHS, hospitals, health service providers, nursing homes, institutions or colleges.