Nursing is a varied role in which no two days are the same. The responsibilities vary, depending on the specialism you choose to train in, but what is consistent across the board is how vital Nurses are to the NHS.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will provide direct patient care to adults and families, with an option to work in varying settings, such as hospital wards and schools. With the nursing umbrella covering different specialisms, including adult, mental health, children’s nursing, and learning disabilities, you will support an array of different people.

Whether you are helping individuals overcome mental hardship or helping to save a life in an operating theatre, you will require a blend of professional knowledge and caring personality traits.

Once you become a registered Nurse, you will have an opportunity to progress your career with further postgraduate studies. You could pursue positions as a Senior Nurse or Health Visitor, or even move into management. Whatever area of nursing you pursue, you will make a significant difference to the lives of many.

To work as a professional Nurse, you will need to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and to reach that stage, you will require a series of qualifications.

Most NHS Nurses study an accredited nursing degree at university, with many establishments requiring at least five GCSEs at grade A/9 to C/4, including English, Maths, and a Science subject. You may also need at least three A Levels, with plenty of universities listing A Level Biology as part of their entry requirements.

Instead, you could study an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing), which is the equivalent of 3 A Levels and is widely accepted by universities, but please check with your chosen institution before applying.

An Access to Nursing course covers a blend of academic topics and study skills to get learners prepared for a nursing degree at university. You can also benefit from studying the Access course online with learndirect, making it ideal for aspiring Nurses who have existing commitments, such as full-time work or childcare.

After qualifying as a Nurse, your starting salary will be over £25,000 per year, which is outlined in pay band 5. As you gain more experience, your pay will increase year on year until you reach the highest level of your pay band.

Career progression is encouraged in the NHS, so once you have spent a spell of time as a registered Nurse, your career trajectory can continue to soar. As you take steps up the ladder, your salary will follow, and you will move up pay bands accordingly.

As well as salary increases, you will also get an impressive benefits package from the NHS, consisting of a pension scheme, health service discounts and support services.

The NHS boasts one of the most competitive benefits packages in the UK. They know how much Nurses do for patients, so they want to make sure they do enough for you. From flexible working and annual reviews to holiday allowances and career progression, you will be well looked after.

The benefits in terms of job satisfaction are extensive, with the overriding one being that you will be providing a much-needed service, changing, and saving lives.