Forming the largest staff roster in the NHS, nurses are an essential part of both the patient care team and the wider healthcare system. There are nursing jobs available in a wide range of specialisations, skillsets and working environments. Nurses can not only be found working as part of the care team on site or at a patient’s home, but as a vital part of the medical team in Accident and Emergency or surgery.

As with any healthcare profession, nurses need a range of skills to provide the proper care for their patients. These demands will vary according to their role and position – for example, the needs of an elderly patient with a severe illness are different from those of a young child with a broken bone. 

With a constant high demand for nursing jobs within both the NHS and private sector, there are a variety of specialised areas a nurse can go into as they progress through their career, including:

• Children’s nurses
• School nurses
• District nurses
• Neonatal nurses
• Learning and disability

Your daily tasks will vary depending on the field you decide to move towards. Throughout your employment you will have the opportunity to train and develop your skillset, so you are capable of working in a range of roles. Salaries are banded according to both your role and your years of experience.

To be eligible to move into a nursing job, you need to have a relevant university degree and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Previously, a diploma would have been sufficient qualification, but this has now changed.
Although securing a fixed-term nursing job may seem the best option, taking on a locum nursing position is also worth considering if your circumstances allow it.