Nursing

Healthcare assistants (HCAs) usually have the most contact with patients.

This role involves observing and monitoring patients, promoting independence, and supporting daily needs – such as personal care, providing food and drink, and looking after general wellbeing.

HCAs play a big part in infection prevention and support the nursing team on a daily basis. They also communicate with patients, relatives, and the wider team to ensure each patient’s needs are met.

Training nurse associates work across four areas of nursing: adult, children, mental health, and learning disabilities.

This role bridges the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses. They work independently and with others to assess patients and provide the appropriate care.

Once qualified, they join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register and undertake clinical tasks such as ECGs, observations, and venepuncture.

They also support many patients and families through difficult times.

Once qualified, trainee nursing associates can become registered nurses by taking a shortened route of two years.

Registered nurses work in a variety of areas, and no two days are the same!

They perform tasks from physical examinations to assessments. They care for injuries, provide therapeutic interventions, and educate colleagues in the work environment.

Part of the nursing role is to interpret patient information such as blood results and fluid balances, and plan specific aspects of follow-up care.

Registered nurses have excellent communication skills, work as part of the wider team, and manage anything from acute conditions to long-term illnesses and palliative care.

Sisters and charge nurses take overall responsibility for the running of the unit and standards of care.

During their shift, they will lead the team. They can also be involved in assisting with procedures and leading in emergencies.

Some sisters undertake extra training such as advanced life support, male catheterisation, or health assessment.

They are the critical communicators between staff, patients, relatives, and senior management.

Alongside this, they are responsible for the development and management of their staff and support the senior sister.

Some nurses become nurse specialists in areas such as oncology (cancer), diabetes, or renal.

They are involved in improving patient care, evaluating practices, and educating staff and patients on how to manage conditions.

Some nurse specialists are also involved in research within their area of work.

The senior sister or ward manager is not only involved in patient-centred care and managing their team effectively, but also in strategic developments at the Trust and implementing change.

They use their expert knowledge and clinical judgement to lead the ward team and act as a positive role model, maintaining high standards.

They are involved in rostering and general management of the team, as well as supporting and encouraging development.

Senior sisters and ward managers contribute towards clinical governance and improvement strategies, alongside the oversight of incident reviews and any investigations into poor standards.

Advanced nurse practitioners work at a senior level in their speciality, acute settings, and primary care services.

They examine, assess, diagnose and treat patients. Most advanced nurse practitioners have undertaken non-medical prescribing, and they also refer patients for examinations such as x-rays.

Advanced nurse practitioners also run emergency clinics, walk-in centre clinics, and GP practice clinics.

They can become nurse consultants involved in performing procedures such as endoscopies, loop recorder insertions, and paracentesis.

The matron is a senior member of the corporate nursing team.

They lead and coordinate Trust-wide activities and workstreams on quality and safety improvement.

Matrons ensure that processes and systems are in place to deliver consistent safe and effective care to patients.

They are positive role models and highly visible in clinical areas.