What is a Nurse?

Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on providing care to individuals, families and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses play significant roles in hospitals, clinics and private practices.

Nursing job duties include communicating between patients and doctors, caring for patients, administering medicine and supervising nurses' aides. It is a varied field and split into many specialities.

Working as a Nurse requires genuinely being drawn to caring for the sick and injured and wanting to make a positive difference to the patients lives.

All nurses working in the UK must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and will receive their unique NMC Pin which allows them to find work.

Roles & responsibilities of a Nurse

Nurses perform many professional tasks which may differ based on where they work or what area they specialise in.

General nursing duties include:

• Performing physical exams
• Obtaining medical/health histories
• Providing patients with health promotion, counselling and education
• Administering medications, wound care, and other health interventions
• Coordinating patient care collectively with other members of the healthcare team
• Supervising staff such as nursing assistants and healthcare assistants
• Taking part in critical decision making
• Monitoring the progress of patients and reporting back to their families
• Writing care plans and records
• Utilising communication and interpersonal skills to create a bona fide relationship with patients and their families

As a Nurse, you are required to care for patients and their families in the same way we would want for our loved-ones. You must be compassionate, have good ethics, be adaptable and confident. Quick thinking and attention to detail is very important in the role.

Hours of Work & Environment

A working week can be very different depending on the area you cover, the type of nursing qualification you have and the hours you do.

Nursing provides great flexibility, offering both part-time and full-time hours across various shifts. You can also choose to work within a hospital ward-based role, within the community or a mix of both.

The hours can sometimes be considered unsociable, with evening and weekend work as well as night shifts.

At TLTP Medical, your dedicated recruitment consultant will be with you every step of the way, ensuring you find the right nursing position that suits you.

Career Progression & Beyond…

Nursing is a responsible and rewarding career, but it is not always easy. Developing skills such as stress management, listening skills, compassion, and inner strength can help nurses face the daily challenges of their chosen career path.

Nursing positions are split into different bands all of which have different salaries. With the right guidance and support network, you can progress your career moving from a general nurse, to nurse specialist, matron and nurse consultant where earnings can exceed £50,000.