Practice Nurse
What is the work like?
Practice nurses assess, screen, treat and educate all sections of the community, from babies to older people. They work within GP practices to help doctors give nursing and medical care.
As practice nurse, your duties could include:
- setting up and running clinics for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and skin disorders
- offering advice on family planning and contraception
- taking blood and urine samples and other specimens and swabs
- performing routine procedures such as ear syringing, applying and removing dressings and treating wounds
- offering specialist information and advice on issues such as blood pressure, weight control and stopping smoking
- carrying out infant injections, vaccinations and travel immunisations
- giving advice to patients on long-term medical and nursing needs.
In larger GP surgeries you may work alongside other practice nurses and have the opportunity to specialise in the needs of a particular client group.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To work as a general practice nurse you need:
- to be a registered nurse, usually within the child or adult branch
- up to two years' post-qualifying experience.
You may have an advantage if you have experience of working with patients in areas such as:
- chronic disease management (such as diabetes and asthma)
- wound dressing
- childhood immunisation
- cervical cytology
- phlebotomy (taking blood).
Some employers will also prefer you to have completed a community specialist practitioner programme, specialising in general practice nursing (see training and development section below for details).
To qualify as a nurse you need to complete a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved degree or Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing. See the related nursing job profiles for full details.
What further training and development can I do?
If you do not already have a community specialist practitioner degree or postgraduate diploma (specialising in general practice nursing), it may help your career to work towards this.
Courses combine theoretical study with work-based experience across a range of public health services. Some courses include training in nurse prescribing. See the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA) website for course details.
You could study on an 18-month full-time or 3 years' part-time basis. Course providers can advise about funding options, which may be available through your regional strategic health authority (or you may need to fund yourself). You will need Criminal Records Bureau clearance when you apply for a course.
You will need to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career. You could access professional training and development opportunities, for example by joining an organisation such the CPHVA.
Where can I go for more information?
Goldsmiths HouseBroad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
London
W1B 1PZ
Tel: 020 7637 7181
Registration contacts
Overseas: 020 7333 6600
General: 020 7333 9333
London
EC1V 8HA
Tel: 020 7505 3000
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 1122 211
Bristol
BS99 3EY
Tel: 0845 606 0655
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
Related profiles...
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Practice nurses can earn between £23,500 and £31,800.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would generally work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may need to work occasional evenings or weekends, for example if you are running a health promotion clinic. Part-time hours and job sharing are often available.
This work can be physically and emotionally demanding and you may work with clients who are distressed and suffering with long-term illness.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a basic understanding of child protection procedures and public health issues
- an understanding of infection control procedures
- excellent communication and listening skills
- the ability to inspire confidence and trust
- the ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds
- a flexible and adaptable approach to work
- patience and empathy
- good team working skills and the ability to work alone
- good organisational skills
- basic IT skills
- the ability to keep accurate and up-to-date patient records.
What opportunities are there?
You could find jobs with GP practices, possibly as part of a primary care team including other nurses, dietitians and pharmacists. The role of the practice nurse is expanding and you may be able to combine your work in the GP practice, for example with prison nursing.
With experience and qualifications you could progress to nurse practitioner level, which would involve managing your own caseload of patients.
You could become more involved in health promotion, running workshops or clinics on issues such as women's health, prevention of coronary heart disease and immunisation. You may also have the opportunity to specialise in, for example, chronic disease management and health issues like diabetes or asthma care.
Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, on the NHS Jobs website and directly through local Primary Care Trusts.
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