How to Become a Registered Nurse in the UK

Nurses in the U.K. work with a team of other medical professionals.

If you enjoy working with people and making a difference to your community, you may be interested in becoming a nurse. Medicine is one of the most lucrative and rewarding career fields and it's virtually recession proof, as nurses are always in high demand around the world. You can become a nurse in the UK whether you are a UK citizen, EU citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain.

Things You'll Need

• Five GCSE's (grade C or above in literature and science) Passport Nursing degree or diploma

Instructions

Personal Skills

1. Have the ability to communicate clearly. As a nurse in the UK, communication is crucial to your job title. You will need to be able to both communicate clearly enough for the patient to understand you as well as being a good listener.

2. Have good people skills. You'll be dealing with people of all races ages and backgrounds and they msut all be treated equally.

3. Be a good teamworker. As a nurse in the UK, you'll have to work both on your own and as part of a team. The team you'll work with includes other nurses, secretaries, doctors, anasthesiologists, pharmacist and physiotherapist. It would be beneficial to your position to know how all of these health professionals work together.

4. Fill out an application to become a nurse at the hospital of your choice. Check the vacancies by calling ahead of time or checking online.

Education and Experience

1. Be good with numbers. Another requirement to becomming a nurse in the UK is being proficient in literacy and numerosy. This skill comes in handy when administering medication to patients, drawing blood or interpreting lab results.

2. Have work experience as a nurse. Your previous work experience can come from work placement or from volunteering. Contact the hospital you are applying with to find out what its work experience criteria is.

3. Complete nurse training. You must hold a degree in nursing before you can apply to become a nurse in the UK. If you do not have a degree, you must apply for a course that offers either a degree or diploma. This course must comprise of 50 percent theory and 50 percent practice. As of September 2013, you will be required to hold a degree as the diploma programs will be phased out.

References

• NHScareers.nhs.uk: Nursing Entry Requirements
• NHScareers.nhs.uk: Nursing Skill Requirements
• NHScareers.nhs.uk: Nursing Training Details