If you have a desire to work in healthcare but are unsure of the avenue to take, then consider a career in nursing. Throughout history, nurses have played a pivotal role in the running of the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). They assist doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals in the delivery of care that saves and enriches the lives of patients every day. For these and many other reasons, nursing is a highly admirable role.
By becoming a nurse, you could end up at the forefront of hospital care or work in a specialist area of nursing, such as paediatric nursing or psychiatric nursing. If you are mulling over your options or are asking the question, ‘what courses do you need for nursing?’, continue reading. We have outlined five benefits of choosing a nursing career.
In many industries and job types, you are restricted to one pathway, but with nursing there are a plethora of options. Depending on the area that you wish to work in, you will need to undertake some form of academic study. If you are asking yourself, ‘what courses do I need to become a registered nurse?’ then you should know that you will need to complete a nursing degree.
1. There are Nursing Roles Available for Every Interest
Keep in mind that you can only work officially as a nurse in your chosen field if the degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. In general, there are four main areas of nursing, including:
- Adult Nursing
- Paediatrics Nursing (Child Nursing)
- Mental Health Nursing
- Learning Disability Nursing
The diversity of each course gives you various options if you are debating about what area of nursing to progress into. For some people, they already know what sector they want to pursue, but if you are yet to find your calling then consider undertaking a nursing course that covers a vast spectrum. With Stonebridge Associated Colleges, you can study accredited online nursing courses.
If you want to gain a foundation knowledge of standard nursing practices then the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing) is a great way to start. Plus, if you do not currently have A Levels but want to go on to study a nursing degree, an Access to HE Diploma can help. This qualification can act as an equivalent to 3 A Levels, depending on the credits you accumulate from the course.
Upon successful completion of your nursing course, you can move on to degree-level study and embark on the area of nursing that you want to pursue.
2. Continuous Career Progression
One of the many great things about working in nursing is that you have the opportunity to constantly improve in your role, and progress into new sectors if you choose to. The Nursing and Midwifery Council states that professional nurses need to undertake 35 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
This involves undergoing additional training so that you can continue to perform competently in your role and stay up to date with healthcare practices. Compulsory training needs to be completed within three years of your registering as a nurse or the last time you renewed.
While CPD is mandatory, you can also undertake additional courses for your own career development. Whether you want to delve into social care, mental health, or another strand, you can undertake CPD courses for nurses.
For example, with Stonebridge Associated Colleges you can study a range of courses that will help advance your nursing career, such as Grief and Bereavement Counselling and Health and Social Care. So, if you become a nurse, remember that your journey and the opportunities available to you are ongoing.
3. Active and Exciting Work
Unlike many other jobs, you will not be stuck at a desk when working as a nurse. If you are the type of person that enjoys being on their feet and relish the thought of no two days being the same, then a nursing career will tick those boxes. Depending on what area of nursing you progress into, you will be meeting different patients with various healthcare needs on a regular basis.
As mentioned, once you begin working in the industry, you will undertake CPD courses for nurses, which will add to your skillset and switch up your daily work. In an ever-changing healthcare industry, you will never be standing still, and ultimately you will be helping others, which is a rewarding career feature in itself.
4. Multiple Graduate Opportunities
Due to the diversity of nursing, there are plenty of options available for nursing course graduates. It is important to note that while a nursing degree is a must-have qualification, work experience will also make you a desirable candidate. Seeking experience in a clinical environment will be hugely beneficial during your job search.
From your nursing course you would have developed a strong understanding and knowledge of nursing in your chosen field. By undertaking work experience, you can put that into practice, as well as gain desirable hands-on experience. Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteering are many ways in which you can gain some valuable work experience.
With the opportunities being vast, you could end up working across various sectors. Some of the typical employers that you may end up working for are the NHS, private sector hospitals and clinics, private sector healthcare providers, local authorities, prisons, the armed forces and more.
5. A Job that Makes a Difference
When it comes to pursuing a particular career, everyone has certain criteria that they’re looking for, with the overall one being job satisfaction. Nursing is incredibly rewarding as your main purpose is to treat patients and help them with their healthcare needs. You will make a real difference, playing a pivotal role in caring for someone who is seeking medical needs.
Depending on the area of nursing you progress into, you could end up caring for adults, children, and the elderly. The need for nurses across all sectors is high, and given how important the role is, you will always have opportunities.
Kickstart Your Learning Journey!
If you want to embark on a nursing career but are wondering ‘what courses do you need for nursing?’ then contact Stonebridge Associated Colleges. We have a range of online nursing courses that can help you move into various areas of the healthcare sector.
To find out more information, give one of our Career Advisors a call on 0121 392 8288, visit our support centre with your enquiry, or click the link below to view the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Nursing).
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