Nursing Courses -

Courses and training to become a nurse

This website gives an overview on the training needed to become a nurse and to for work in the NHS. 
If you want to work as a nurse in the NHS, you must possess a diploma or degree in nursing (a pre-registration programme).  These programmes lead to becoming registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and allow you to practice as a nurse in the NHS.
A career in nursing, appeals to individuals from a variety of different backgrounds.  As a result, student nurses are made up from a variety of age groups, sexes and ethnicities.

The Diploma and degree programmes consist of 50% theory and 50% practice.  The time is divided between the centre that is running the course (theory) and the healthcare settings where you will be applying the practical elements of your course.

The four Branches of nursing
Pre-registration nursing degrees and diploma courses are available in four “branches”.  These branches are adult, paediatric, learning disability and mental health. A number of courses provide the opportunity to merge mental health with social work or even learning disability nursing.  Before applying for one of the nursing courses, you will have to choose which one the 4 branches you want to be trained in.  Some course providers may give you the opportunity to decide which branch after you have commenced the course.  It is however; wise to contact the nursing course provider prior to applying for the course.

All diplomas and degrees in nursing consist of a common foundation programme.  These programmes are taught across all the branches of nursing and last for a around a year full time.  After the foundation programme has been completed you will move on to your specialised area.  So, if you have chosen to train in paediatrics, your course, in the second and third year will be focused on this area of nursing and you will focus on working with children.

Midwifery Courses can be found on our sister midwifery course site here