An A-Z Guide to Studying Nursing: Here’s What You Should Know

Are you a caring, determined and hard-working individual? If the answer is yes, you may find that you’re the perfect candidate for a fulfilling career in nursing. As a result of the pandemic, the NHS is crying out for more health care professionals.

If you’ve ever wondered how to study nursing, here’s a quick A-Z guide to get you started!

First things first, what is nursing? Before you make the decision to embark on this career path, you need to understand what’s involved. Nurses are medical professionals that focus on caring for patients and helping them maintain a good quality of life. 

Unlike doctors or other medical professionals, nurses rarely use direct medical techniques and, instead, focus on the well-being of the people in their care. It should come as no surprise that this is a highly rewarding role and one that is in much demand here in the UK.

Are you thinking about studying a qualification in nursing? There are plenty of reasons that you may find this role fulfilling. Nurses are charged with looking after people when they are at their most vulnerable. That means caring for the elderly, ill patients, young children, pregnant women and people who have disabilities. 

Naturally, undertaking a nursing position means long working hours, taking on stressful decisions and dealing with multiple patients at once. For that reason, it’s not for everyone. Before you decide to take a nursing qualification, you need to consider whether you have what it takes to fulfill the requirements of this type of role and how you will succeed. 

The recent COVID-19 outbreak has put great emphasis on the importance of nurses, not just in the UK, but around the globe. There is an ever-growing need for professionals of this type. For that reason, there has never been a better time to train. Needless to say, this type of work can be extremely challenging, but it can also be rewarding and fulfilling.

Do you think you have what it takes to excel in nursing? If you’re toying with the idea of studying nursing online or at a university, you first need to think about your character. The truth of the matter is that only some people will succeed in this particular career. To be an excellent nurse, you will need to have the following traits:

Prior to signing up for a nursing qualification, you should make sure that you consider all of the above. It may help to reach out and speak to your friends and family. Getting a second opinion on this decision will enable you to understand whether it’s right for you. Nursing is a highly strenuous career, and so this is not a decision that should ever be taken lightly.

When you’re certain that you want to study nursing, you have yet more decisions to make. Believe it or not, there are different nursing sectors from which you can choose. Taking the time to determine which is right for you will be your next step. To get you started off, there are qualifications available in the following nursing-related industries:

As soon as you have determined which of the above work for you, it’s time to choose the right course or qualification. It’s worth keeping in mind that once you’ve completed an undergraduate degree in this sector, you may want to progress to a post-grad qualification. For example, you can study an MSc Nursing from The University of Essex entirely online.

The entry requirements for the nursing course you choose will depend on its level and the institute. However, as a golden rule, many of the leading nursing qualifications require a basis of five GCSEs at C or above along with two relevant A-Level qualifications. 

Of course, the above requirements can (and often will!) vary greatly. For that reason, you should always be sure to check the requirements with the university or institute. That way, you can be certain that you will have the right entry-level when you apply to study nursing.

What are your prospects when you finish your nursing qualification? That’s a great question. The good news is that 90% of nursing graduates are employed within six months of completing their qualifications. With that in mind, your chances of landing your dream career right out of university are strikingly high when it comes to this particular course. 

Nursing is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of specific job roles in the health and care sector. Let’s take a look at some of the positions that you may be able to gain:

Which role you ultimately get will depend on your specialist area. Don’t panic if you’re not immediately sure of the sector in which you want to work. As you move through your nursing qualification, you will have the chance to choose your niche. Simple!

Ready to kick-start your new career in nursing? If you’re up for a completely new challenge, you’re certain to excel in this sector. Why not take a look at some options today and figure out which one is right for you? There’s no time like the present to start your next chapter.