Career in Nursing
For some, deciding to become a nurse feels like a calling, for others, it may be following in the footsteps of a role model or just simply a role that fits and feels comfortable. Choosing a career in nursing and to develop to become a nurse, does need consideration because of differences in nursing education and regulatory requirements for roles and geographic location.
For example, in the UK there is a structure to the nursing career that depends on if staff are non-registered, pre-registered and registered through nursing agencies or organisations. The following information is aimed to help those considering a career in nursing:
l Non-registered nursing staff
l Pre-registered nursing staff
l Registered and post-registered nursing staff
Non-registered nursing staff
Non-registered staff (those who have not registed with the Nursing and Midwifery Council) are not required by law to complete obligatory training, however employers, such as the NHS, are required to provide mandatory and optional training to members of staff. The training may include Core Induction Standards or allow the member of staff to work towards a qualification in nursing at a local college.
The practical work combined with the theoretical learning enables non-registered staff to develop their career in nursing if this is their choice. Examples of training includes an NVQ in Health and Social Care, such as those offered through colleges or training organisations. Certain organisations, such as the NHS Trusts may offer guaranteed employment in nursing after completion of the secondment training period for which non-registered staff continue to be paid.
Pre-registered nursing staff
Developing in a nursing career to become a registered nurse involves completion of a university or college degree or diploma course, such as those in Health and Social Care. The course duration is usually three to four years and should be a recognised programme through the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Through such programmes, nursing students gain the foundation skills and knowledge needed for nursing practice.
All nursing students complete a first year common foundation programme (CFP), and thereafter choose a nursing speciality or branch of nursing such as child care, adult care, nursing for learning disabilities or mental health. The nursing area of midwifery falls under adult nursing with an additional eighteen months of nursing programme required.
People who have trained in healthcare, dependent on their programmes of study, may be able to do fast track two year programmes of study for nursing qualification, or upgrade diploma to degree qualification through part-time study. The government also offers bursaries to those interested in nurse training. Requirements for nursing qualification differ between the UK, Wales and Scotland. Due to changes in nursing education and regulation, some experienced nurses are considered qualified without the academic recognition.
Registered and Post-registered nursing staff
To qualify for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, nursing staff need to have completed in the region of 4500 hours, and as part of post-registration education and practice (PREP) continue to complete a minimum of 35 hours additional every three years. The clinical experience allows nursing staff to upgrade their skills and knowledge and also to decide their specialist areas of interest or skill as nurse practitioners, educators, consultants, or district nurses. Some nurses choose to complete masters degres or PhD’s in their specialist fields.