30 Jan How Long Does It Take to Become a Nurse in the UK?
A lot of young people dream of becoming a nurse in the UK. It’s a noble dream to have, striving to care for those in need. Nursing is a fantastic aspiration to have. The definition of the job is to make a tangible difference in the lives of the community. What’s more, there is a variety of specialisations within nursing.
You could choose to work with children in the PICU, babies in the NICU, the mentally ill as a mental health nurse, serve the forgotten as a prison nurse, help victims of abuse as a forensic nurse, work with cancer patients as an oncology nurse, and so, so much more. So, you want to do the best job in the world? The question is, how long will it take to become a nurse?
What does it take to become a nurse in the UK?
Here it is.., the answer you’ve all been waiting for: it depends.
In a nutshell, this is how to become a nurse in the UK:
- Get a nursing degree or diploma.
- Get certified and cleared to nurse.
- Apply for nursing work.
- If you’re not a UK national, apply for a visa.
- Congratulations! You’re ready to start work as a nurse.
Here’s the full breakdown of what it takes to become a nurse in the UK.
Overview of Nursing
Nurses have a tremendous impact on the health sector and the lives of those they serve. They’re a huge reason for how any healthcare facility functions at all. Nurses get to make a difference every day by directly helping people and saving lives. Think real-life superheroes. It’s hard work but deeply rewarding.
Nursing focuses on caring for people in a variety of ways, including:
- Administering treatment.
- Helping with diagnoses.
- Educating the public about health issues.
One nurse on Reddit wrote:
“I absolutely love my job as an ER nurse. Every day even though it can be crappy, even though it’s hard or I’m spending my entire shift running my butt off, I get to help someone. The other night? I gave a little girl a sticker, and she was all smiles. I put a warm blanket over a little old lady who was shivering but now smiled and said thank you over and over. I helped pull a bug from this dude’s ear. The dude was practically screaming, and in tears up until the moment the bug came out, and then he straightened up and apologised for crying. This man who had worked for a fire department all his life watched us code his wife, and he was shaking so badly. I got him a chair and made him sit; the son thanked me (she lived!). I see people at their most vulnerable, and I have the opportunity to care for them and try to help them feel better.”
Become qualified to nurse.
Unfortunately, you can’t rely on raw talent. You have to become qualified to become a nurse. There are different pathways you can take to do this. It depends on whether you want to specialise, how long you’re willing to study, and the career path you would like to take.
How to become a qualified nurse
Choose your path and how qualified you would like to be. There are varying amounts of schools, respective certification and licensing exams, and different salary bands.
BSc (Bachelor of Science) in Nursing
This is the most popular route aspiring nurses take to be nurses. A full-time degree takes 3 to 4 years, although part-time degree options are also available. It’s demanding and is a mix of studying and clinical placements.
In years 1 and 2, you’ll complete foundational courses. These encompass anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology, laying the groundwork for a strong understanding of human health and illness.
Additionally, you’ll learn basic nursing skills like taking vital signs, administering medication, and providing basic care. Also, get ready to explore concepts like communication, ethics, and cultural competence. Depending on the program, you could get exposure to areas like mental health nursing, paediatrics, gerontology, community health nursing, and many other specialities.
Years 3 and 4 dive deeper into nursing practice. You’ll delve into specific nursing specialities while mastering advanced skills like wound care, catheterisation, and medication administration. You’ll also learn how to assess patients, develop care plans, and manage complex medical conditions.
Following that, you’ll begin clinical placements. You’ll spend time in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, working under the supervision of registered nurses. Plus, you’ll gain hands-on experience caring for patients with diverse needs.
Common subjects include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Nutrition
- Pathophysiology
- Mental Health Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing
- Research Methods
- Nursing Leadership
- Ethics and Law
Best nursing degrees in the UK
According to The Guardian’s best UK universities for Nursing & midwifery, these are some of Britain’s best nursing degree programs.
University of Edinburgh
With a staff-to-student ratio of 11, U Edinburgh is one of the best universities for nursing, with 87.4% of students satisfied by teaching.
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool boasts that 92% of students are satisfied with their courses.
University of Glasgow
This university asserts that it has a 97% rate of students finding work 15 months after graduation.
Non-degree options to become a nurse
You don’t necessarily have to get a degree to become a nurse. It’s also worth exploring associate nursing, degree apprenticeships, and diplomas.
Associate Nursing Qualifications
Usually, you need 4 GCSEs to begin an associate nursing qualification, which is band 2. Typically, you’ll cover subjects like human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, communication, and ethics. These provide the scientific and theoretical foundation for nursing practice.
You’ll learn about different nursing concepts and models of care, focusing on areas like patient assessment, care planning, intervention implementation, and evaluation. Your program might focus on a particular field like adult nursing, mental health nursing, or learning disability nursing.
Supervised hands-on experience is a crucial part of ANQs (associate nursing qualifications), allowing you to apply your theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. You’ll work under the supervision of registered nurses in various healthcare settings like hospitals, community clinics, or care homes. This allows you to learn essential skills like taking vital signs, administering medication, assisting with personal care, and communicating effectively with patients and their families.
As you progress through your placements, you’ll gain confidence in your abilities and develop essential skills for your future nursing career.
ANQs usually take two years to complete.
Nursing Degree Apprenticeships
There are many specialities you could work in within a nursing degree apprenticeship. You’ll need A-levels or a relevant level 3 qualification, which will take 3 to 4 years to complete. Unlike universities, where you accrue debt for studying, the apprenticeship pays you to learn on the job, and the university learning element is free. Depending on the provider, you’ll spend approximately 70% of your time working in a healthcare setting and 30% studying at university.
Platforms like NHS Jobs and Find an Apprenticeship list available opportunities.
Nursing diplomas
Nursing diplomas last about two years, although you might be able to do one part-time. Typically, you’ll need GCSEs or equivalent qualifications in relevant subjects like science and English. They provide concentrated training in a specific area of nursing, such as adult, mental health, or learning disability nursing, and combine classroom learning with practical placements in healthcare settings.
You’ll gain theoretical knowledge and develop essential skills through hands-on experience. The diplomas lead directly to registration as a nurse in your chosen area, allowing you to start working independently.
How to become registered in nursing in the UK
You’ve completed your nursing qualification and need certification. What now?
Remember, if you’ve done a diploma or apprenticeship, you already have registration. But what about if you did a BSc in Nursing? You’ll need to register with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), the regulatory body for nurses in the UK.
To register, you need to:
- Pass the NMC registration exam.
- Complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Provide evidence of good health and fitness.
Depending on your role or employer, you could also be asked for certifications like first aid qualifications, life support, or medication administration. Also, you’re required by law to maintain your skills and knowledge throughout your career by completing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
Apply for Nursing Work
The guaranteed, easiest way to find a job? Use a healthcare hiring agency. Proximity Healthcare specialises in medical recruitment, especially with nurse placement. Together, our excellent healthcare hiring staff have more than 30 years of experience negotiating the compensation our nurses are worth, flexible shifts, and upskilling opportunities, all at no cost to you.
Why Use A Healthcare Recruitment Company To Find A Job?
Medical recruitment agencies work with healthcare facilities that are in dire need of staff to find skilled and experienced candidates. We then place our candidates in an establishment that fulfils their needs to progress in their careers, grows their compensation, and helps candidates become part of a working environment they’re excited about.
Because of its strong network of healthcare providers scouting for candidates, Proximity Healthcare lets you choose exactly when and where you would like to work.
How Do I Work With A Medical Recruitment Agency?
- If you scroll down underneath this page, you’ll spot a button that reads Register.
- Clicking on that will redirect you to a form. This form provides us with your details and tells us whether we can be of service to you.
- After submitting the form, a member of our team will be in touch shortly via telephone to discuss your agency work prospects. We’ll ask what you’re looking for in an environment, your salary expectations, and about your roles in the past.
- We’ll tell our healthcare facility friends about you, and one or more will request to interview you.
- We’ll negotiate for what you need and help you onboard. We’ll also be with you every step of the way during your agency nursing career.
What if I’m not a citizen of the UK?
If you’re not a UK native, no worries!
You must ensure your qualification meets the NMC’s standards and pass their clinical competence exam. Plus, you need to demonstrate your proficiency in English through approved tests like IELTS or OET.
Then, depending on your nationality and home country, you’ll need an appropriate visa to work as a nurse in the UK. Common options include:
- Tier 2 (Skilled Worker) visa: This visa requires sponsorship from an NHS Trust or other healthcare provider.
- Health and Care Worker visa: This visa is specifically designed for qualified nurses and midwives.
- Student visa: This allows you to work 20 hours per week while studying.
Proximity Healthcare mainly helps nurses who are not from the UK. Have no fear; we’re experienced and qualified to help nurses from all over the world find work in the UK.
Become a UK nurse today!
There you have it! Becoming a nurse in the UK isn’t as complicated as you thought, right? If you have any questions, no matter how small, get in touch with us. We’re here to help.