Nursing
About Nursing
Nurses much like doctors help the sick or injured. However, nurses work much more closer with the patient and tend to form stronger bonds as they have more time in contact with the patients. A nurse will perform many of the tests and check ups that are required and communicate and help the patients. If you want to work in the medical field or hospitals but medicine feels to long and complicated then a nursing degree is a good alternative. Nursing is a much more accessible degree and more widely available to people, where they are old or young. The the only side of nursing that falls short compared to medicine is the salary, however, at senior levels nurses are paid a very good salary, which is much higher than the average UK salary.
Nurses just like doctors will need to pass various exams to show that they have acquired new skills and knowledge. Once various set of tests have been completed you will progress forward and move up the NHS band, with it your salary will go up.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements will vary from university to university, however, all will require BBB or higher with most asking for at least ABB.
GCSEs that suit this Degree
Regardless of what GCSEs you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain GCSEs will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of GCSEs which will help you with nursing:
- English Language and Literature *(required)
- Mathematics *(required)
- Biology *(required)
- Chemistry *(required)
A-levels that suit this Degree
Regardless of what A-levels you do you can always go down various career paths, but certain A-levels will give you an advantage and some will be required. Below is a list of A-levels which will help you with nursing:
- Biology *(required)
- Chemistry
- Sociology
- Psychology
Duration of Degree
The duration of the degree is 3 years.
Who This Degree Suits?
Every degree will be enjoyable and suit different personalities, below is a list of characteristics and personalities which will enjoy the nursing degree:
- Interested in medicine or human body
- Enjoy working on hospital/surgery/medical environment
- Communicating with people on a daily basis
- Enjoy helping people
Module /Topics
Nursing has many topics that need to be covered, below is a list of the topics that will be in all university curriculums:
- Patient Assessment
- The Human Body
- Radiology
- Therapeutic approach and practice
- Epidemiology
- Public health
- Pediatrics
- Healthcare ethics and law
- Clinical skills and clinical care
- Complex care
- Critical care
- Planning patient care
Industry Sectors
Nursing allows you too apply to the following industries:
- NHS
- Healthcare
- University
Types of Jobs
Nursing degree allows you to apply to the following roles:
- Private or NHS Nurse
- Lecturer
- Medical researcher (academic or corporate)
- Private Medical Institutes
- Cosmetics
Work hours and Salary
As a nursing graduate you will usually work between 36-40 hours a week, on top of this many nurses do overtime which depends on the individual. The salary you will get will vary on your experience, below is the average expected salaries:
- Graduate, who start on NHS band 5, can expect roughly £26,000 - £29,000 (depending on the area of UK you work) and every year your salary will go up by a minimum of 3-4%.
- With experience (>1.5 years, band 6) salaries will rise to £33,000 - £41,000, depending on your experience level and the area of the UK you work in;
- Senior level (>4 years, band 7) can expect £41,000 - £48,000. Band 8 will take between 7-8 years of experience, the expected salary will be £48,000 - £75,000 and the number of positions reduces. The highest band achievable by a nurse is band 9, the expected salary is £75,000 - £100,000 and the number of roles is much lower as well as mostly consultant based.
- You could also go into private healthcare and cosmetics where the pay will vary greatly.
