We are nurses.
We are changing lives.

As a newly qualified nurse, you’ll work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing direct patient care. You can choose to work in a variety of settings, everything from hospital wards and operating theatres to schools and patients’ homes.

No two days are the same when you’re a nurse. Depending on what type of nursing you choose to specialise in, you could spend your time helping people overcome mental barriers, nursing newborns, supporting people with learning disabilities or saving lives in A&E.

As your career progresses, you could specialise in areas such as theatre nursing or practise nursing, or you could undertake further postgraduate studies to become a more senior nurse, such as a district nurse, health visitor or advanced clinical practitioner. You could also move into management, clinical research or teaching.

Whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed to make a real difference to people’s lives, every single day.

The most common route into nursing is by completing a nursing degree though there are other routes available, including nursing apprenticeship degrees and nursing associate roles.

Each university sets its own entry requirements for entry onto a nursing degree, but in general you’ll need to get at least five 9-4 (A-C) grade GCSEs (including English, maths and a science subject) and at least two (preferably three) A levels. Lots of universities require A level biology.

Alternative level 3 qualifications are sometimes accepted by universities (such as approved Access to Nursing courses, BTEC National Diplomas or International Baccalaureates), but you’ll need to check with your chosen university before making an application.

Find out more about studying to be a nurse and use our course finder to see which universities offer approved nursing degrees.

As a newly qualified nurse, you’ll start in pay band 5, meaning you’ll earn over £29,000 a year. Your pay will then increase annually until you reach the top of your pay band. There’s additional pay for staff who work in high-cost areas such as around London.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for career progression, and with that comes the chance to move up a pay band and earn more.

You’ll also enjoy one of the best benefits packages in the UK which includes a generous pension scheme, exclusive health service discounts as well as support with things like childcare costs if you need it.

Find out more about the pay and benefits of working in the NHS.