Nurse - Adult/General

Also known as:

Adult Nurse
General Nurse
Registered General Nurse RGN

Introduction

Adult/general nurses treat patients over the age of 16. They will care for the physical, emotional and psychological needs of their patients, who may have a short- or long-term illness, injury or disability.

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Work Activities

Adult nurses care for people over the age of 16 who have a long- or short-term illness. They work either in hospitals or in the wider community.

Wherever they are based, adult nurses are part of a multi-disciplinary team, which includes other nurses, health care assistants, doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and many others. They are responsible for planning and implementing the complete nursing care of their patients.

When a patient arrives on the ward, the nurse responsible for them assesses their nursing requirements and draws up a care plan, which outlines their needs and treatment schedule. Nurses observe the effectiveness of treatment and modify the care plan accordingly.

Nursing care is 'holistic' in that it looks after a patient's needs comprehensively. This may include essential care, like washing and feeding, or technical care, like administering medication or changing dressings.

Increasingly, complex equipment is being used to assist with patient care, and nurses are often responsible for monitoring this. They also record their observations and any treatment they give.

Working in the community involves similar activities but in a different context. Community based nurses may work in a health centre/clinic or may visit people in their own homes.

Some nurses may concentrate on health promotion work. For instance, they help patients to regain or retain their independence, which allows them to continue living at home.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You need to have good communication skills - partly so that you can work effectively in a team and partly so you can reassure patients and involve them in care planning. Technological advances mean that an interest in science, and an understanding of how the body and mind work is useful.

Carrying out physical care requires practical ability and good observational skills. As a nurse you must be resourceful, mature and tolerant enough to cope with demanding patients and other difficult situations.

Most nursing posts require a certain level of physical fitness and emotional resistance.

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Pay and Opportunities

National Health Service (NHS) employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities.

On the Agenda for Change pay scales a newly qualified nurse is on Band 5. From April 1, 2008 this has been £20,225 - £26,123 a year. A nurse team leader is on Band 6 (£24,103 - £32,653), while a nurse team manager is on Band 7 (£29,091 - £38,352 a year).

At the highest levels, matrons and nurse consultants can earn up to £64,118, depending on responsibilities

Nurses work a basic 37.5-hour week. Shift work is usual. Some employers offer flexi-time working, and overtime is common. Agency and 'bank' working is increasingly available.

Most nurses work in the NHS (in hospitals and in the community). Other employers include the armed forces, colleges and universities, private health care providers, the prison service and industry.

There are also opportunities to work overseas (some countries require additional qualifications).

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Adult Opportunities

Age limits apply to this occupation. To start training as a nurse, you must be aged at least 17 (17 and a half in England) on the day the course starts. You must be at least 16 before you can apply for the course.

If you don't have the qualifications that are usually needed to enter a degree or DipHE in nursing course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course, eg, Access to Nursing. You don't usually need any formal qualifications to start an Access course, but you should check individual course details.

Other routes into nursing training for mature entrants can be a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 3 in a relevant subject (for example, care), modular course credits from the Open University, and Return to Practice courses.

Shortened or accelerated training programmes are available for graduates, for example, two-year minimum nursing diploma courses if you have a degree in a relevant subject area such as life sciences, social sciences or in health-related topics.

Students on a pre-registration nursing or midwifery diploma or degree course are eligible for a bursary.

Other possible sources of funding include local health authority trust funds and charities.

The Royal College of Nursing also administers a number of post-registration scholarships and awards for experienced and qualified nurses.

The Government is keen to welcome qualified and experienced people back into the NHS. If you have not practised for five years and want to return to the NHS, you will need to join a Return to Practice programme (approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council). The courses refresh clinical skills and there are classroom sessions to discuss theory.

Many Return to Practice courses are part time. Funding may be available from the Scottish Executive or your employer.

Financial support may include a bursary while taking the course, payment for the clinical placement periods, and help with travel and childcare costs.

For more information contact your local NHS Trust or NHS Careers.

The Royal College of Nursing also administers a number of post-registration scholarships and awards for experienced and qualified nurses.

• 31% of nurses work part-time.
• 6% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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