Nursing in the United Kingdom is the largest health care profession in the country. It has evolved from assisting doctors to encompass a variety of professional roles. Over 700,000 nurses practice,[1] working in settings such as hospitals, health centres, nursing homes, hospices, communities, military, prisons, and academia. Most are employed by the National Health Service (NHS).
Nurses work across all demographics and care areas: adults, children, mental health, and learning disability. Nurses work in specialties across medicine, surgery, theatres, and investigative sciences such as imaging. Nurses also work in sub-specialities such as respiratory, diabetes, cancer, neurology, infectious diseases, liver, research, cardiac, women's health, sexual health, emergency and acute care, gastrointestinal, infection prevention and control, neuroscience, ophthalmic, pain and palliative, and rheumatology.[2] Nurses often work in multi-disciplinary teams, but increasingly work independently.
To practise, all nurses and nursing associates must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).[3][4]
Dental Nurses, Nursery nurses and Veterinary nurses are not regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and follow different training, qualifications and career pathways.
- ^ "The NMC register" (PDF). Nursing and Midwifery Council. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ "RCN Forums". Royal College of Nursing. 15 January 2023.
- ^ "Nursing and Midwifery Council". Nursing and Midwifery Council. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
- ^ United Kingdom Government Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act, 1997. London: HMSO, 1997.
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