Career outlook for practice nurse
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£34,320
Currently employed in Scotland
67,700
Five year job forecast
+5.12%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
You would work within a GP practice to give nursing and medical care to people of all ages. The patients you deal with may be very upset or worried, and you would have to be able to reassure them that you would do your best to help them.
You would:
- Set up and run clinics for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and skin disorders
- Offer advice on family planning and contraception
- Take blood and urine samples and other specimens and swabs
- Perform routine procedures such as ear syringing, applying and removing dressings and treating wounds
- Offer advice on issues such as blood pressure, weight control and stopping smoking
- Carry out vaccinations and travel immunisations
- Give advice to patients on long-term medical and nursing needs
In larger GP surgeries you may work alongside other practice nurses and have the chance to specialise in particular conditions or age groups.
You’d need good knowledge of child protection and public health issues, as well as a solid understanding of infection control procedures.
You can see more about the role on the General practice nurse page on the NHS Career website.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
60%
Part-time
27%
Self employed
13%
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
- Cooperating
- Supporting
- Listening
- Verbal communication
- Observation
- Empathising
- Social conscience
- Attention to detail
- Taking initiative
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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
You need to be a registered nurse, usually within the child or adult branch, and take extra training relating to general practice.
To become a registered nurse you need a degree in nursing (SCQF level 9/10).
To enter a nursing degree (SCQF level 9/10) requires National 4/5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers at C or equivalent qualifications such as a relevant HNC/HND or Scottish Vocational Qualification in Healthcare Support (SVQ level 2/3).
It is possible to enter a shortened graduate nursing programme with a relevant degree in another subject
Useful subjects
- English (required by many courses)
- Maths (required by many courses)
- Science subjects, in particular biology or human biology (required by many courses)
- Care
- Social studies such as psychology
You will also need
Once qualified you will need to:
- Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
- Complete a medical examination to ensure you are physically fit
Some employers may also look for you to have one or two year's post-qualifying experience.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
- Health and Social Care (SCQF level 6)
- SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF level 3-5)
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