Nursing - Subject Guide

People require a huge variety of medical treatments and care programmes, therefore there is an equally diverse range of nursing specialisms to match. Some of these specialisations include: 

• Adult nursing: Involves providing holistic healthcare to adult patients across various healthcare environments. Adult nurses perform patient assessments, administer treatments, and offer support to encourage recovery and well-being. They collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals to deliver personalised care. 

• Mental health nursing: An increasingly widespread field of healthcare, mental health nursing focuses on supporting people experiencing health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Mental health nurses provide compassionate care and counselling to help patients manage symptoms and cope with short-term and long-term challenges. 

• Paediatric nursing: This specialism focuses on caring for infants, children, and adolescents. The role covers everything from assessments and treatments to family support and education, addressing common childhood illnesses, injuries, and developmental challenges. 

• Learning disability nursing: This involves supporting patients with intellectual or developmental disabilities, providing support for their well-being and independence. Daily activities include things like medication management and behaviour support. Nurses advocate for the rights and inclusion of those with learning disabilities in society, schools, and workplaces. 

• Community nursing: Community nurses focus on delivering healthcare services to patients and families within their community setting. This can include preventive care, health education, and support for people with chronic conditions, often working closely with community organisations and healthcare providers to address the unique needs of individuals. 

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• Nursing fundamentals 

• Anatomy and physiology 

• Pharmacology 

• Nursing ethics and professionalism 

• Care planning 

• Medication management 

• Family support 

• Leadership and management 

Studying to be a professional nurse will teach you a lot of specific skills, many of them relating to clinical practices and healthcare management. You’ll gain a strong basic understanding of the human body, and its systems, and how to administer care to patients in a variety of healthcare situations. You’ll become confident in assessing illnesses and injuries and be able to prescribe treatments and referrals to many different specialised fields within the medical system. You can also expect to gain a high level of empathetic listening and interpersonal skills, required to reassure patients of all ages and walks of life. 

Some readily transferable skills you’ll pick up though nursing training include: 

• Interpersonal skills 

• Multidisciplinary teamwork 

• Problem solving 

• Adaptability 

• Cultural sensitivity 

In the UK, all nursing programs are accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), ensuring that programs meet the high standards required to work in the UK healthcare system. NMC accreditation provides assurance to employers and the public that graduates are competent and qualified to practice as registered nurses. 

If you're planning a career in healthcare but considering alternative pathways to nursing, then you might consider related disciplines too. From direct patient care to healthcare administration and policy, there are plenty of degree options to choose from. Here are a few: 

• Midwifery 

• Public health studies 

• Medicine 

• Occupational therapy 

• Physiotherapy 

• Psychology 

• Social work 

• Healthcare administration 

Nurses are in demand all over the world, and a nursing degree opens doors to career opportunities in many different types of healthcare setting such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and community health centres. Most nursing graduates go into professional nursing roles either in the NHS or private healthcare. Other opportunities include teaching or research. Nursing expertise is valuable in fields such as public health and healthcare policy, and graduates can put their nursing degree to good use in a variety of ways that benefit the public. 

Some career roles which nursing graduates can pursue include: 

• Adult nurse 

• Learning disability specialist 

• Mental health nurse 

• Midwife 

• Paramedic 

• Occupational therapist 

• Paediatric nurse 

• Social worker 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in nursing or a related subject. 

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