Nursing

Nurses specialise in one of the four main branches of nursing - Adult, Child, Mental Health, Learning Disability.

As careers progress there is more opportunity to specialise. Training courses usually take a minimum of three years, although some routes may take previous learning into account.

Midwives provide care and support for women, their partners and families, before, during and after childbirth. The normal entry route is via a three year degree course, or a shorter route for current registered (Adult) nurses.

For information about the different roles in nursing, education and training, and case studies, see the Health Careers website.

Training

  • NHS Health Careers - Studying nursing
  • If you already have a degree in a relevant subject you may be able to do the course in two years rather than three.  Degree and diploma course applications are made through UCAS.
  • Nursing apprenticeships offer a paid route into nursing and are advertised on NHS Jobs.

Further reading

The skills and personal qualities needed include:

  • strong communication skills, including the ability to explain, persuade, encourage and reassure
  • people skills - being able to develop a rapport with people from a wide range of backgrounds
  • a sensitive and caring approach
  • patience
  • teamwork
  • decision making and prioritising
  • resilience
  • ability to work under pressure and cope with change
  • organisational skills.

NHS Health Careers - Types of nursing lists the specific skills required in different roles.

You might like to take the NHS test to see what health careers would suit you.

Think about the groups of people you might be working with once qualified, and try to get relevant work experience.

As well as work in the NHS, you will find opportunities with private sector healthcare providers, voluntary organisations, local authorities, education and industry.

For help with CVs, applications and interviews, see the Applying and interviewing pages.

  • Look for work experience - relevant work experience and voluntary work is very important. It allows you to develop your skills, check that you are comfortable working in health/care settings and demonstrates motivation and commitment to your chosen profession
  • Volunteering offers the opportunity to gain experience in a range of settings and with different client groups.
  • York SU Volunteering also offers a range of projects including Minds in Motion, Open Minds, York Marrow and Tea & Coffee Club.

Read about York graduates working in nursing. Some went straight into nursing; others had work experience in other areas, or degrees from different backgrounds, before doing a nursing degree.

Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles & Mentors.

Listen: What do you actually do? podcast Calling the Midwife.