Registered Nurse

Responsibilities

Registered nurses assess patient needs, deliver clinical care, administer medication, document treatment plans and coordinate with doctors, allied health professionals and social workers. Day‑to‑day work depends on specialty: a hospital ward nurse manages 6–8 patients per shift across acute medical or surgical needs; a community nurse visits patients in their homes; an A&E nurse triages and treats emergency arrivals; a mental health nurse runs therapeutic and pharmacological care plans.

All nurses must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) before practising.

• Direct patient assessment, treatment and medication management
• Coordinate with doctors, pharmacists and social workers across multidisciplinary teams
• Specialise after 2–5 years into ITU, mental health, oncology, paediatrics, A&E, etc.
• Work in NHS Trusts, private hospitals, hospices, GP surgeries or community settings

• Hospital ward nursing (acute medical or surgical)
• Community nursing (home visits)
• A&E (emergency triage and treatment)
• Mental health nursing (therapeutic and pharmacological care)
• Specialist units such as oncology, paediatrics, ITU, and more after 2–5 years of experience

Salary information is based on NHS Agenda for Change pay bands, with London weighting added for high‑cost areas. Band 5 nurses start at approximately £28,400, with London weighting bringing total to around £32,700–38,800 in an inner London teaching hospital. Band 7 and 8 levels correspond to roles such as Ward Sister/ANP and Consultant/Manager respectively, with salaries ranging up to £70,000+ depending on band and location.

• Band 5 – Staff Nurse (newly qualified, 0–2 years)
• Band 6 – Senior/Specialist Nurse (2–5 years)
• Band 7 – Ward Sister/ANP (5–8 years)
• Band 8 – Consultant/Manager (8+ years)

• Empathy and emotional resilience
• Teamwork across multidisciplinary teams
• Cultural competence with diverse patient groups
• Reflective practice and continuing professional development

• Registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) before starting practice.
• For internationally qualified nurses: complete the NMC overseas registration process which includes an English language proficiency test, a computer‑based test, and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Most NHS Trusts cover this cost.

Registered nurses typically work in diverse settings, ranging from 12‑hour shifts in acute hospitals to 9‑to‑5 schedules in community and primary care. Agencies offer flexible placement hours with rates of £25–£45 per hour, and many professional development opportunities are available through NHS Trusts and specialist providers.