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How to Become a Nurse

Your Step-by-Step Path to a Rewarding Nursing Career in the UK

You love working in care and making people's lives better, so you’ve decided to look into what it takes to become a nurse. But where do you begin? What is involved in becoming a nurse?

As one of the leading nursing recruitment agencies in the UK, we are here to help you figure out your next steps. At Nurseplus, we want you to know what’s involved in reaching your goal to become a nurse, and let you know that we’ll be with you every step of the way.

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Follow Our Step-by-Step Guide to Becomming a Nurse

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Step One:

Dedicate some time to researching the main fields of nursing in the UK. These fields differ from the specific types of nurses and cover the broader areas of care that you may want to explore and excel in. Within each field, nurses have the opportunity to specialise further in various areas of practice.

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    RGN

    As an RGN or Adult Nurse, you’ll provide exceptional, compassionate care to individuals aged 18 and older, prioritising their physical, mental, and social well-being. An RGN requires a keen focus on assessing, planning, and delivering personalised care across diverse settings from hospitals and clinics to prisons and workplaces.

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    Paediatric

    As a Paediatric Nurse, you'll be compassionate caregivers who support the health of infants, children, and adolescents in various settings. A Paediatric Nurse will work alongside families and medical teams to assess health needs, provide treatments, and promote the well-being of the youth in their care.

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    RMN

    As an RMN or Mental Health Nurse, you'll be a specialist when it comes to empowering individuals with mental health conditions by providing tailored treatment and emotional support. Your work will cover various settings, such as hospitals and community services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, person-centered care.

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    RNLD

    As an RNLD or Learning Disabilities Nurse, you'll empower individuals with learning disabilities to lead fulfilling, independent lives through compassionate, person-centered care. You'll promote inclusivity and ensure equal access to services, making a significant impact on their lives.

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Did You Know?

The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) supports student nurses by providing financial assistance, allowing them to concentrate on their studies without financial stress.

The NHS Learning Support Fund

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Nurse?

​Step Two:

There are numerous paths to becoming a nurse, each leading to the same rewarding career.

The key is determining how much time you’re ready to dedicate to the journey. Some paths may require more years of study and practical experience, while others offer a quicker route to entering the field, allowing you to start helping patients sooner. To assist you in making this important decision, we’ve created a convenient comparison table that outlines the various nurse training options available to you.

​This table will help you weigh the pros and cons of each path, ensuring you choose the one that best fits your goals and lifestyle.

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Registering with the NMC

Step 3:

Now that you are a qualified nurse, you'll need to register with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council). This involves completing an NMC-approved nursing program, where you'll need to pass several assessments.

What does an NMC PIN do?

Your PIN verifies that you are legally registered and ready to provide care and that you meet the essential standards of safety, competence, and professionalism.

Without this PIN, you cannot work in a registered nursing role.

Find out more about NMC registration

Now that you are registered, it’s time to take the leap into your career as a UK nurse, where you’ll be able to join a community of dedicated nurses who are transforming healthcare in the UK!

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Start Your Career as a Staff Nurse

Step 4:

Your nursing career begins as a staff nurse, where you can step into a world of opportunities with the NHS, in the private sector, or as an agency nurse.

Now you can take your time to immerse yourself in diverse experiences across various wards and specialities so you can discover more about your future in a fulfilling and rewarding nursing career.

Discover all available agency nursing jobs near you here.

Find agency nurse jobs near me

Specialise or Progress

Step 5:

There are two main routes you can now take in your nursing career. Let's explore these two options you now have for advancing, beginning with Clinical Progression, where your expertise and passion for patient care can truly shine.

Option One - Clinical Progression

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    At this stage, you’re not just a nurse; you’re the person that your less experienced colleagues come to for specialised knowledge or guidance. You are a vital tool, pivotal in delivering exceptional patient care and supporting the healthcare team with your seasoned expertise.

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    Here, your leadership skills come to the forefront. Whether as a Clinical Nurse Specialist or a Ward Manager, you’re at the helm, orchestrating day-to-day operations while ensuring the highest standards of care. Your influence extends beyond individual patients, shaping the future of nursing practices.

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    Welcome to the pinnacle of clinical excellence. As a Consultant Nurse or Matron, your strategic vision and advanced clinical skills drive innovation and quality improvement across the board. You’re not just part of the healthcare system; you’re redefining it.

As a clinical professional, each step forward will become a testament to your commitment, skill, and the profound impact you have on lives every day.

Option Two - Advanced Roles

Advanced nursing roles are ideal for those who are ready to take their nursing career to new and challenging heights.

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    Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

    As an ANP, you’ll be an expert lead and will know what it takes to provide high-quality care and be confident in making critical decisions that improve patient outcomes. You’ll use your advanced skills to diagnose, treat, and manage patient care with confidence.

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    Nurse Presecriber (V300 Qualification)

    With the V300 qualification, you are able to prescribe medications and treatments independently. This role is vital when it comes to enhancing patient care efficiency and will give you the chance to gain more control or independence in your role.

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    Nurse Educator / Lecturer

    If you feel like passing your knowledge on, then perhaps becoming a nurse educator or lecturer is the right pathway for you. You’ll be able to inspire the next generation of nurses, with engaging learning experiences and shaping the future of nursing education.

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    Nurse Consultant / Policy Roles

    Step into a leadership position with a focus on strategy and policy. As a Nurse Consultant, you’ll influence healthcare policies, guide best practices, and drive innovations that shape the health sector’s future.

These advanced roles will allow you to be a part of a dynamic team responsible for revolutionising healthcare with dedication, expertise, and innovation.

What Happens Next?

As a nurse, you can continue further education at any point in your career, taking on courses in leadership or education. You have the option to become a certified specialist practitioner or gain your doctorate or PhD. There are opportunities to work abroad or move into healthcare management. Whatever you decide to do, Nurseplus provides the flexibility and support you need to excel in your nursing career.

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Your journey in nursing starts here.

Join Nurseplus and become part of a team that supports nurses to excel.

Apply for nursing jobs here