As mentioned in the “Career In Nursing” section, the theoretical programme of study and the clinical experience is aimed at allowing nursing staff to develop their skills and knowledge while also deciding on their specialist areas of interest or nursing role. Nursing Agencies then provide a service that enables nurses to register their specialist fields as part of the employment process.
In progression of nursing experience and qualification, people developing a career in nursing in the UK are able to up-skill from healthcare assistants to nursing managers, leads and matrons. Others choose further academic qualification to pursue nurse consultancy. Overall, the order of progression in hospitals or clinical settings is through eight nurse career roles:
l Healthcare Assistant
l Staff Nurse
l Senior Staff Nurse
l Junior or Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
l Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
l Senior Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
l Clinical Nurse Lead / Manager
l Matron
Healthcare Assistant (HCA)
Healthcare staff are classified as non or unregistered staff. In this role, the healthcare assistant can provide care directly to patients but under supervision of a staff nurse. Healthcare assistants may also be called clinical support workers, care assistants or nursing assistants. The role may involve patient care on wards or in care settings doing personal care, social care, measuring blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and recording observations or “vital signs”. Some healthcare assistants are also trained in catheterisation and urinalysis, or as Electrocardiogram Technicians. The scope of practice in the role depends on the qualification of the supervisor’s remit and monitoring of the assistants experience and practice. The salary scale for healthcare assistants usually falls within Bands 1 to 4 in the UK.
Staff Nurse
The staff nurse is the foundation nursing qualification for nursing practice. Staff nurses may be responsible for a specific ward and patients on that ward, or they may be responsible for specific functions, such as administering prescribed and non-prescribed medication to patients. The salary scale for staff nurse is usually Band 5.
Senior Staff Nurse
The senior staff nurse gains this status through further academic study or through years of experience. The senior staff nurse in hospitals is usually responsible for a department or is in charge of the staff nurse for a ward. The salary band for senior staff nurses may be between Band 5 and 6.
Junior or Deputy Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
The deputy sister or deputy ward manager is responsible for the operations of the ward in a hospital setting and follows instruction from the ward manager. Responsibilities may include the staff rota, ordering supplies or following budget, and overseeing patient care. The salary for such staff usually falls between Band 6 and 7.
Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
The Sister in Charge or the Ward Manager is responsible for the operation of the ward, medical unit, or department. The Charge Nurse will manage the budget, staffing, purchasing, rostering and scheduling of duties. The salary for Ward Manager is usually Band 6 or 7.
Senior Sister / Charge Nurse / Ward Manager
Senior Ward Managers usually are employed in settings, such as Accidents and Emergency, at hospitals where a additional Ward Management staff are needed. A ward manager is then assigned seniority based on their qualification and/or experience. The salary scale is between Band 6 to 8.
Clinical Nurse Lead / Manager
Clinical Nurse Managers are responsible for medical departments or directorates. The role may involve clinical nursing and/or management. The salary scale is around Band 8.
Matron
Matrons are nurses that are responsible for the clinical nursing activities within a medical department or directorate. The role attracts a salary of Band 7 or 8.