What are the job roles and responsibilities of an Nurse?

Nurses work as part of the professional and medical staff that includes doctors, social workers, and therapists.

Typical duties of the job include:

• planning nursing care

• pre- and postoperative care

• administering medication and intravenous infusions

• taking patient samples, pulses, temperatures, and blood pressures

• writing records

• supervising junior staff

• 24-hour shift work can be a requirement of the job.

Typical employers of nurses

• Hospitals

• NHS trusts

• Residential homes

• Prisons

• Schools

Qualifications and training required

Nurses in all fields of healthcare must have college-level training. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are typically required to have an associate's degree in nursing, while registered nurses (RNs) must have at least a 2-year degree, but a 4-year bachelor's degree in nursing is more common.

When applying for nursing training, any experience of caring for or working with people (eg in a care home or hospice) can be helpful.

Key skills for nurses

• Good health and fitness

• compassionate nature

• Excellent people skills

• Observation skills

• Ability to deal with pressured situations

• Verbal communication skills

• Resilience