10 Reasons to Become a Nurse in the UK

Whether you’re a young adult or a mature professional, there are lots of exciting reasons to become a nurse – and this article is going to provide you with a detailed look at the top 10 reasons you might want to consider becoming a nurse overseas in the UK.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the spotlight has been on nurses. They are held in high regard, largely because of the care they provided during that crisis. When people needed them the most, nurses were there.

So there’s a lot to thank them for!

Of course, due to the increased attention on nursing, many people have decided that they want to become nurses, themselves. At the same time, many other people – especially young adults – are at least giving some consideration to it – and rightfully so. After all, being a nurse is a fantastic career to have.

With that said, here are 10 reasons why you should become a nurse if you’re thinking of UK employment. Let’s go.

1. There are Endless Degree and Studying Opportunities

In UK nursing, there is no one-size-fits-all route. According to NHS Health Careers, you can become a registered nurse through a nursing degree (usually three years full time), a registered nurse degree apprenticeship, or by training as a nursing associate and topping up later.

Every route ends with registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). After that, a master’s degree can lead to advanced practice roles with more responsibility and better pay.

Also, you can now choose the medium of study that suits your specific lifestyle.

Let’s say, for example, that you’re a busy mother who works and also looks after your children at home. In this type of situation, you simply won’t have the time to study at university full-time, as this would mean attending classes on-campus and various other complications.

Luckily, the solution is simple: you can study remotely, instead.

Now, thousands of individuals are studying nursing degrees from the comfort of their own homes. Part-time and apprenticeship routes let mature students keep working while they train, although nursing courses always include supervised clinical placements.

Alternatively, if you’re a young person who has just recently finished sixth form or college, you can go the standard route of moving to a university campus and studying full-time. Essentially, you have total freedom to do what’s best for you!

2. People Need You

Nurses are some of the most valuable healthcare professionals in the world today. People need them more than ever, and NHS waiting lists built up during the pandemic will take years to clear.

An aging population also means demand for care is expected to keep growing. Without nurses, it will put immense strain on the NHS and other healthcare systems.

3. You Can Work in the Public or Private Sector

As a qualified nurse, you will have the option to work in the public or private health sector – both of which come with their advantages. Private roles can differ in pace and patient mix, but they are fewer, and it can be more difficult to find private-sector nursing roles in comparison to public sector ones (such as with the NHS), which is something to bear in mind!

4. Demand is High

Currently, 2022 trends in nursing are changing the industry. Demand for nurses is high. After qualifying, registered nurses can apply to a wide range of employers, from hospitals to community services and private practices.

Applications to nursing courses rose during the pandemic, and many applicants are mature students, which shows it’s never too late to start a career in nursing.

Health leaders warned in early 2022 that the NHS in England is currently short of 38,952 nurses. Vacancy numbers change over time, but nursing shortages remain a long-running NHS concern.

5. In the Case of Another Pandemic, You Will Be Key

If another pandemic was to hit the UK over the next decade or two, you would be key to many people’s survival.

As you witnessed with the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses were out on the frontline from the very beginning, hence why ‘clap for carers’ was such a huge phenomenon.

Therefore, if you want a career that’s going to be incredibly fulfilling, nursing is definitely for you.

6. Develop Your Career

After getting your initial degree in nursing, you will notice that lots of different career paths open up for you.

For example, you can study at master’s level to become an advanced nurse practitioner or specialist nurse, roles that usually come with higher pay bands.

Some nurses also work in private home care or as self-employed agency or independent nurses. This can offer more flexibility, though it means arranging your own work and insurance.

Essentially, you have total freedom of choice regarding this. You might simply want to remain a standard Registered Nurse (RN) for your entire career, which is absolutely fine (after all, millions of nurses do exactly this). However, if you have the ambition to push yourself further, then you’ll be happy to know that career advancement opportunities are in a healthy supply for nurses!

7. Different Working Environments

Working environments are a big deal for most people. Luckily, when it comes to nursing, you can choose from a variety of different working environments – and can even switch back and forth between them over the years.

For example, if you don’t want to work out on the frontline with the NHS, you could choose a quieter nursing career, such as working in a school.

Generally, whatever working environment works best for you, you will be able to find it.

8. Choose Flexible Schedules

Over the past couple of years, some big changes have taken place across the UK in terms of working schedules.

Now, lots of professionals – from nurses to salespeople – are being afforded more flexible schedules. The main reason for this is that it allows employees to find the perfect work-life balance.

When it comes to nursing, you will generally have the flexibility to choose shift schedules that are right for you. For example, if you work in a hospital, you may be able to request day or night shifts, depending on staffing. NHS staff often receive extra pay for unsocial hours such as nights and Sundays.

9. Earn a Good Salary

Of course, salary is a big part of any career. Newly qualified NHS nurses usually start on Band 5 of the Agenda for Change scale.

From April 2026, Band 5 pay runs from £32,073 to £39,043 a year, depending on experience, with extra pay in high-cost areas such as London. Of course, if you choose to progress to more advanced nursing roles, then you will be looking at even greater salaries.

10. Job Security

Because qualified nurses are in steady demand, nursing generally offers good job security, although no job is ever guaranteed. Therefore, if you’re someone with bills to pay and a family to look after, this should give you some much-needed peace of mind.

Are There Any Downsides to Being a Nurse?

Like with any profession, there are the occasional downsides. In regards to nursing, here are a handful of cons that you can expect from time to time:

Emotional Pressure: Patients are heavily reliant on you to stay strong for them and provide the best care possible, which can occasionally lead to you feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

Long Hours: Nurses, in some circumstances, work long hours. Physically, this can lead to burnout if you aren’t careful!

Exposure to Viruses: Due to the nature of being a nurse, you are more exposed to viruses. Proper PPE, vaccination and infection control training greatly reduce this risk.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has convinced you that being a nurse is an excellent career path to take. Good luck with studying for your nursing degree and remember to get as much experience as possible.

Sources

• How to become a nurse, NHS Health Careers
• Agenda for Change pay rates, NHS Health Careers