District nurse

You would visit people with health conditions or disabilities in the community to assess their needs and treat them.

You’d go to see people in their own homes, in care homes or GP surgeries. Your support would mean that people may not have to go into hospital or that they can get out of hospital sooner.

Your patients are likely to be:

• older people with health problems

• people with terminal illnesses

• people who are physically disabled

You would go and see them regularly, sometimes several times a day.

You’d assess and respond quickly to their needs. You’d plan and manage their care. You’d find out more about their situation and circumstances by talking with patients and listening to them patiently and sensitively. You’d anticipate and identify potential health problems.

You would:

• Administer drugs

• Check temperature, blood pressure and breathing

• Assist doctors with physical examinations

• Give injections

• Clean and dress wounds

• Monitor or set up intravenous drips

• Provide emotional support and practical advice to patients and their families

• Teach basic caring skills where needed

You could be involved in running clinics, for example, for people with diabetes.

You could also carry out a range of emergency procedures, for example if a patient has fallen, had an accident or a cardiac arrest.

You would work for the National Health Service. The salary for this role is covered by the NHS Agenda for Change pay rates. You can see information about the pay and conditions on the district nurse page on the NHS Careers website.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council – education resources

• Disclosure Scotland – more about the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme

• NHS Education for Scotland – Training for the healthcare workforce including higher education and professional development