What can you do with a nursing degree?

A nursing degree provides you with a path towards a rewarding career in healthcare.  

Nursing is not just a job; it's a calling that allows you to improve the lives of your patients, as well as offering you both personal and professional growth. You’ll become an expert in your field, supporting patients and their families to cope with and accept illness, injury, recovery, and beyond. 

A nursing degree can take different forms and focus on a range of specialisations including adult nursing, child nursing, and mental health nursing. In this article, we'll explore the many doors that nursing degrees can open for you. 

What is a nursing degree? 

A nursing degree like BNurs (Hons) Adult Nursing is an academic programme that gives you the knowledge, skills, and clinical training needed for a career in nursing.  

You will study various aspects of healthcare, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient care, and healthcare ethics. Nursing degree programmes are designed to prepare students to become competent and compassionate healthcare professionals who can provide direct patient care, make clinical judgments, and work within healthcare teams.  

A nursing degree equips you with the knowledge and clinical experience necessary to promote health, prevent illness, and provide care and support to patients in various healthcare settings. 

Nursing degrees available through the University of Wolverhampton 

There are several choices of nursing degree you can choose to study with the University of Wolverhampton, and they all include both theory and practice in a clinical setting. 

• BNurs (Hons) Adult Nursing 
• BNurs (Hons) Children’s Nursing 
• BNurs (Hons) Mental Health Nursing 
• BNurs (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing 
• MAN Adult Nursing  

We also offer degrees with foundation years, postgraduate diplomas, apprenticeships, and advanced nursing courses to help experienced nurses progress further in their careers. 

How to become a nurse 

To become a nurse in the UK, there is a defined set of steps you will need to take. First, you'll need to complete an approved nursing degree programme, which will usually take three to four years to complete.  

When you graduate, you'll need to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which is the regulatory body for nursing and midwifery professions in the UK. To do this you will need to meet certain competency and language proficiency requirements.  

Once you are registered, you can pursue various nursing roles, including staff nurse positions in hospitals and community healthcare. Continuous professional development is encouraged to advance your nursing career and stay up to date with evolving healthcare practices. 

Nursing careers 

1. Registered nurse (RN)

The most common career path for nursing graduates is to become a registered nurse (RN). RNs provide patient care, administer medications, and coordinate with healthcare teams to ensure the wellbeing of their patients. 

You can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies. Nursing offers job security, competitive salaries, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. 

2. Specialised nursing roles

Once you become an RN, you can choose to specialise in a specific area of healthcare. Some popular nursing specialties include: 

• Paediatric nursing: Caring for children and adolescents. 
• Nurse practitioner: Providing primary or specialised care to patients. 
• Psychiatric nursing: Providing mental health care and support. 
• Oncology nursing: Caring for cancer patients. 
• Elderly care nursing: Working with elderly patients in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. 
• Dental nursing: Supporting dentists while they deliver care to their patients. 
• Perioperative nursing: Assisting in surgical procedures. 
• Nurse anaesthetist: Administering anaesthesia to patients.
• Neonatal nursing: Caring for newborns and premature infants.
• Forensic nursing: Providing care for victims after a crime. 

3. Nurse educator

Nurse educators work in academic institutions teaching new nurses. They develop curricula, conduct research, and help shape the future of nursing. 

As well as a degree in nursing being beneficial, experience in the field and a teaching qualification will also help. 

4. Nurse administrator

Nurse administrators are responsible for managing healthcare facilities and departments. They oversee budgets, staffing, and operations, ensuring that healthcare institutions run smoothly. 

6. Public health nursing

Public health nurses focus on promoting community health in areas such as sexual health or health protection. They work in government agencies, nonprofit organisations, and community health centres, and address issues like immunisation, maternal and child health, and health education. 

What do nursing graduates go on to do?

According to the NHS, 94% of nursing graduates are employed within six months of training. 

A nursing degree can lead you directly into nursing, or in an associated area. Jobs directly related to nursing degrees include:

• adult nurse
• children’s nurse
• learning disability nurse
• health visitor
• midwife
• paramedic
• mental health nurse

Roles where a nursing degree would be useful include:

• counsellor
• social worker
• play therapist
• police officer

Study nursing at the University of Wolverhampton 

The University of Wolverhampton is proud of its network of professional nursing connections. We work closely with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and course placements will take place at one of six NHS trusts: Royal Wolverhampton Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust. 

Through these connections, our nursing students gain access to a wealth of resources, which also include mentorship from seasoned professionals and deep insights into the current healthcare landscape.  

At the University of Wolverhampton, we understand that nurturing these professional nursing connections is vital to our students’ success, and ensures they are well-prepared to excel in their future careers as compassionate and skilled healthcare providers. 

Explore our nursing degrees today.

Conclusion 

Nursing is a field that offers not only job security and competitive salaries but also the chance to make a meaningful impact on individuals and communities. Whether you choose to work in a hospital, specialise in a particular area, or pursue advanced practice roles, your nursing degree will provide you with a fulfilling and diverse career path.  

So, if you're passionate about healthcare and helping others, a nursing degree might be the perfect choice for you.