Healthcare is an essential service to any society and that means the need for medical experts and nurses is always great. Nurses are qualified medical professionals who work with healthcare specialists to give quality clinical treatment and compassionate care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, and various other settings.

In the UK nurses are increasingly being recognized for their critical role and that has  increased nurse salaries per month. If you wish to become a professional nurse in the UK but don’t know about the required qualifications and average salary then read this article till the end. Here we will share everything you need to know about nursing jobs in wales so that you can start your journey as soon as possible.

Here is what we will be looking at in this article

• An Introduction to Nursing Degrees
• Topics Covered in Nursing Degrees
• Types of Nursing Degrees
• Nursing Qualifications in the UK
• The Duration of Nursing Degrees
• Career Options with Average Salaries

What is a Nursing Degree?

It is a degree in higher education which shows that you are certified for a career in nursing. During the course, you go through lectures, practical skill sessions, placements in hospital wards, and classroom tutorials. 

The progress of the students is assessed with written tests and exams, drug calculation tests, presentations, and practical assessments such as OSCEs (objective structured clinical examinations).

To become a nurse in the UK you can enroll in graduate and post-graduate degrees in nursing. Moreover, there are additional general and specialized programs that you can choose from based on your preferences and interests.

Main Topics Covered in Nursing Degrees

In the UK the syllabus for the nursing programs is issued by NMC. Most of these programs cover similar topics. However, the syllabus may differ for those aspirants who wish to get a specialist degree in nursing.

Most of the nursing programs cover topics like:

• Basic life support
• Blood draws and cannulation
• Healthcare laws
• Complex care
• Epidemiology
• Pathophysiology
• Anatomy
• Clinical care

Nursing Degree Types

If you are looking to get a specialized degree in nursing and pursue a more specific area, you can go with the following nursing programs.

Adult Nursing

As the name suggests this type of nursing course prepares the students to take care of patients that are 18 years and up. It is also sometimes referred to as general nursing.

Children’s Nursing

This type of nurse provides care to patients ranging from newborn babies to adolescents. Pediatric nurses are skilled in dealing with young patients who are disabled either physically or mentally.

Mental Health Nursing

The courses in this type of degree deal with different mental conditions, treatments, and medication. This degree prepares the students to deal with any kind of mental health crisis that befalls their patients.  

Learning Disability Nursing

These programs are designed to teach students about how to deal with patients who suffer from learning disabilities. These programs cover things like health screening and social inclusion.

Nursing Qualifications in the UK

• BN or BScN

It stands for Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. These courses are for those students who have no prior nursing experience and have just started in the field. This course entails both practical training and theoretical modules and it lasts 3 to 4 years.

• Master of Nursing (MN)

These courses are for registered nurses who wish to advance their careers. It takes about one to two years to complete this course. It includes training in leadership and management skills as well.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing

These diplomas are for those nurses who want to specialize in a particular nursing area for example neonatal, mental health, critical care, etc.

•  Nurse Associate Apprenticeship

This is a new hybrid model that is for registered nurses who wish to get both academic and on-the-job training side by side. 

• PhD in Nursing

This is a research-based course and most registered nurses go for it and wish to move towards academia.

The Duration of Nursing Degrees

In order to become a nurse in the UK, first you have to spend 3 to 4 years and earn a nursing degree. You can then choose a particular nursing field based on your interest. 

After course completion, you have to apply to become registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). To get registered you have to pay a fee and show your qualifications.

The duration of the course depends on various factors including the level of your degree, full-time or part-time courses, and unforeseen interruptions in the study.

Career Options with Average Salaries

Following are some of the main roles that nursing graduates can pursue in the UK:

• Travel Nurse

These nurses take temporary assignments in places that are short-staffed. They can also help patients in areas suffering from emergencies like natural disasters and accidents. They can make about £29,207  annually in the UK.

• Nurse

Nurses can work in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities to provide patients with the best care. They are skilled in taking vitals, cleaning wounds, administering injections and drugs, and providing basic assistance. A nurse can make up to £36,075 per year.

• School Nurse

These nurses work in schools and provide medical care to students as well as teaching staff. They have to oversee the physical, mental, and emotional health of the students. They can also work closely with students suffering from chronic health conditions and physical disabilities. A school nurse can make about £31,952 per year in the UK.

• Theatre Nurse

These nurses work with patients who are undergoing surgeries. Their duties involve pre-operation care, anesthetic, and recovery care. These nurses can make on average £32,122 per year.

• Public Health Nurse

These nurses work in public and private institutions and their job is to perform healthcare services for communities and advocate for public health measures. Their responsibilities include promoting a healthy lifestyle, supporting people with long-term illnesses, and reducing risks of ill-health by educating the community on better health practices. These nurses can earn on average £40,153 per year. 

• Nursing Supervisor

A nursing supervisor’s job is to build a link between management and the nursing staff. Their duties involve monitoring nursing staff, implementing quality improvement, overseeing patient care, and keeping the staff encouraged and motivated. A nursing supervisor can earn about £46,019 on average per year in the UK.   

Conclusion

Starting your career as a nurse in the UK requires you to complete a nursing degree. After completing a three to four years course you have to register with NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council). After completing the required clinical placement hours while training, you can start your career as a nurse in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, community centers, and nursing homes.

The job opportunities for nurses in the UK are really great and the salaries are also quite good if you know the right places to look. 

Contact us if you are looking for exciting job opportunities in healthcare in Swansea, Wales.