Why is Nurse Practitioner One of the Most Demanded Jobs in the UK? 

Are you wondering if you should choose nursing as a career path for yourself and are skeptical about giving it a shot in the UK for Indian nurses? Look no further! 

This blog is a one-stop shop for all your worries about the profession. We will walk you through the nitty gritty of the nursing profession in the UK and how you can make it one of the best decisions for your career and life. 

Advanced Practice Nurses in the UK 

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in the UK are registered nurses who have completed additional graduate education, such as a master’s degree, to acquire expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded nursing practice, as mentioned in ICN. APNs include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, as mentioned in the ANA. 

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are one of the four roles that encompass advanced practice nursing, and they provide primary, acute, and specialty health care across the lifespan through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and injuries, as mentioned in the ANA. 

NPs commonly work in primary care settings, such as GP surgeries or A&E departments, as mentioned in Wikipedia. The scope of advanced practice for nurses in the UK consists of clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners, nurse consultants, and matrons, as mentioned in the RN Journal.

Growing Demand for Nurse Practitioners in the UK

Data from December 2021 shows that the vacancies in the national healthcare service in the UK were around 1,24,000 full-time staff. The key area of shortfall remains nursing.

Multiple reasons have increased the growing demand for nursing professionals in the UK. Let’s take a look at them.

  • There is a shortage of doctors in many parts of the UK, particularly in rural areas. Registered nurse vacancies account for more than 1/3 of the total vacancies in the healthcare industry in England.
  • The UK’s ageing population has led to an increase in demand for healthcare services, as the shortage of nurse practitioners is an added concern in the country.
  • Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are becoming prevalent due to the increase in the average life expectancy of the total population in the UK.

Top Nursing Jobs in the UK

Nursing has a vast array of sub-specialties, and the top nursing jobs in the UK may vary depending on the source and criteria used to determine them. However, based on the highest-paid nursing jobs in the UK, the top nursing jobs in the UK are:

  1. Paediatric Nurse
  2. Psychiatric Nurse
  3. Cardiac Nurse
  4. Research Nurse
  5. Adult Nurse Manager
  6. Nursing Home Manager
  7. Care Assistants
  8. Learning Disability Nurse 
  9. Pain Management Nurse
  10. District Nurse
  11. Theatre Nurse

Key Features of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners in the UK

  • There is an acute shortage of nurses in the UK, and nurse practitioners often act as a complementary hand for general practitioners in the care of minor illnesses.
  • Major research and surveys suggest that nurses can render high-quality care as general practitioners.
  • Primary care Nurse Practitioners work collaboratively with general practitioners to provide coordinated and comprehensive care to patients.

Nurse Practitioner Salary in the UK 

A qualified Nurse practitioner’s salary in the UK is approximately £48,079 annually in London, UK. In addition to basic nursing pay, there is also extra pay for staff who work in high-cost areas, such as around London. 

Senior nurse practitioners are in high demand, and they can expect very high salaries. If you are a qualified nurse with 2+ years of experience, you have greater chances of attracting higher pay.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in the UK 

To all the potential nursing professionals out there, let’s get information about how to become nurse practitioners in the UK;

  • Pursue a bachelor’s degree course in nursing or a related field.
  • Get yourself registered with the Nursing and Midwives Council. You can do it online.
  • Earn clinical experience by working in a clinic or healthcare centre in your area of expertise.
  • Pursue a Master’s degree course for 1 or 2 years in nursing or related fields.
  • Obtain a licence or certification by passing a national certification exam. It is also vital to get an English proficiency certificate that justifies your speaking skills in English.

We understand that entering the UK as a nursing professional is a daunting task, but you are not a lone warrior in your endeavor. We have got your back!

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Role of Nurse Practitioners in Addressing Healthcare Needs in the UK 

Nurse practitioners play an important role in addressing healthcare needs in the UK. They are registered nurses who have pursued advanced MSc degrees to work independently in the healthcare setting in the UK.

Here are some ways nurse practitioners can address healthcare needs in the UK;

  • Making an independent decision for which he/she will be solely responsible.
  • Screening for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease and managing their care plans.
  • Providing a range of preventive care services, such as health screenings, with preventive measures.
  • Planning a differential diagnosis through critical thinking and decision-making skills.
  • Educating patients to take the necessary steps to take good care of their health.
  • Prescribing medications and planning treatment schedules.
  • Translating and explaining complex medical information to patients.

Key Skills Required to Excel as a Nurse Practitioner in the UK   

To excel as a nurse practitioner in the UK, you will need a combination of clinical and non-clinical skills. Here are some of the key skills required to excel as a nurse practitioner in the UK;

  • Possesses assessment ability to evaluate and diagnose patients’ health such as blood pressure, heart rate, body weight and respiratory capacity.
  • Providing medical services to patients such as injectables and immunizations.
  • Thinking critically and solving complex problems, such as diagnosing and ordering tests as well as lab work and interpreting its results.
  • Strong emotional intelligence and adaptability to be able to manage complex patient interactions.
  • Effective and strong Communication skills 
  • Exhibiting calmness under stressful conditions.

Opportunities for Specialization in Nurse Practitioner Roles in the UK

Nurse practitioners in the UK have the opportunity to specialize in a variety of clinical areas. There are a lot of areas where you can tap your feet when it comes to nursing, and this can cater to all passions. Here are the specializations catering to nursing practitioners’ roles in the UK.

  1. Adult-gerontology Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
  2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP),
  3. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP),
  4. Family Nurse Practitioner
  5. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)
  6. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  7. Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner
  8. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNPC-AG)
  9. Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)
  10. Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner
  11. Cardiology Nurse Practitioner
  12. Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner
  13. Oncology Nurse Practitioner
  14. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the growing demand for nurse practitioners in the UK is creating exciting opportunities for nurses who want to advance their careers and make a positive impact on patient care. With a combination of clinical and non-clinical skills, as well as a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development, you can become a successful nurse practitioner in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most versatile Nurse Practitioner?

Family nurse practitioner is the most common nurse practitioner specialty, accounting for about half of all nurse practitioners.

How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in the UK?

It takes around four to six years to become a nurse practitioner.

What is the hardest nursing position?

The most stressful nursing jobs include those of an ICU nurse, an ER nurse, and a NICU nurse.

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