Nurse

In this role you could:

• take temperatures, blood pressures and pulse rates
•  give drugs and injections, treat wounds and set up drips
•  monitor the progress of patients and update records
•  handover information to colleagues at the end of a shift
•  work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to decide what care to give
•  give advice to patients and their relatives

• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to work well with others
• a desire to help people
• knowledge of psychology
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

With experience, you could:

• become a clinical team leader, ward manager, or move into a management role like matron or director of nursing
•  specialise in an area like intensive care, neonatal nursing or operating theatre work
•  train to become a midwife, health visitor, district nurse or practice nurse
•  become an advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or nurse consultant if you have a postgraduate qualification
•  move into teaching, research or become self-employed and work overseas

You can find out more about career progression from the Royal College of Nursing.