Adult Nurse

As an adult nurse, you'll care for patients suffering from a variety of health conditions, ranging from minor injuries and ailments to acute and long-term illnesses and diseases. You will support their recovery by observing and assessing their needs, using care plans and carrying out care procedures.

You will need to build trust with patients and may also have to contact their families, particularly in cases of chronic illness where the patient may be returning regularly for treatment.

Nurses usually work within a multidisciplinary team with other healthcare professionals but are often the main point of contact for patients, frequently providing the most consistent care.

Adult Nurse is also known as Nurse.

Role Characteristics

Provide information, emotional support and reassurance to people and their relatives
Promote good health
Provide care
Monitor people and keep records of any changes in their health
Take samples, pulses, temperatures, and blood pressure readings
Work with other health and care professionals

Skills

Team work
Empathy
Resilience
Attention to detail
Observation
Communication

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about work as an Adult Nurse

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Volunteering or work experience

GCSEs

BTEC

T-Level

A-Levels

Degree apprenticeship

Undergraduate degree

How to become

There are many routes into nursing; these include university or apprenticeships.
You will normally need 5 GCSEs including English, maths and sciences, or equivalent.
You will normally need either A-Levels, BTEC or T-Levels depending on your preference in learning. However, volunteering and work experience is valued by employers.

It is important to check your preferred course provider's entry requirements for guidance.

It is a requirement for you to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

Once you have qualified as an Adult Nurse, you could work in a range of settings and start to develop your career further.

You will start by gaining some experience in a more generalist role, but you could take further training in order to specialise in an area such as accident and emergency, intensive care, cancer or sexual health.