Career outlook for
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£36,400
Currently employed in Scotland
65,900
Five year job forecast
+3.50%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
You would care for adults who are sick, injured or disabled and support them and their families when they are anxious and upset.
You'd work with doctors to give the patients practical medical care. You'd respond sensitively to the person's needs so they feel safe and looked after.
You would:
- Listen to patients and try to understand their worries
- Check patients' temperatures
- Measure patients' blood pressure and breathing rates
- Help doctors to examine patients
- Give drugs and injections
- Clean and dress people's wounds
You would use high-tech medical equipment and carry out procedures like blood transfusions. You might also do routine checks and procedures with healthy people.
You could work in a hospital or in the community at a GP's surgery, health centre or clinic. Most jobs are in the National Health Service (NHS) though you could also work at private hospitals or nursing homes, schools, colleges or for the prison service, the Armed Forces or in industry.
You could specialise in an area such as accident and emergency, cardiac rehabilitation, outpatients, neonatal nursing, and operating theatre work.
You need to be able to help any person without judgement and respect patient confidentiality.
You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the Adult nurse page on the NHSScotland Careers website. See the Learning and development section for information about career structures, progression and rates of pay.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
59%
Part-time
37%
Self employed
4%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Resilience
- Taking responsibility
- Making decisions
- Developing a plan
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Supporting
- Social conscience
- Empathising
- Researching
Build your skills
Your skills can help you choose the career that’s right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
To understand more, have a look at what are my skills?
Keep track of your skills in your account and find the jobs, opportunities and courses that suit you.
Click here to view / add your skillsGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.
Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
Qualifications
Nursing degree (SCQF 9/10).
To enter a nursing degree (SCQF 9/10) requires a minimum of three Highers at C and Nationals or equivalent education or work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Healthcare Support (SVQ level 2/3).
It is possible to enter a shortened graduate nursing programme with a relevant degree.
An Access to Nursing course may also give entry but check with the establishment that they accept this prior to applying.
Useful subjects
- English (required by many courses)
- Maths (required by many courses)
- Science subjects (required by many courses)
- Care
- Psychology
You will also need
Once qualified you will need to:
- Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- Pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check
- Complete a medical examination to ensure you are physically fit
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show you have an understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
- Skills for Work Health Sector (SCQF Level 4/5)
- Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6)
- SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF Level 3-5)
Related industries
