How to become an adult nurse

What is an adult nurse?

In the NHS an adult nurse has the specialist knowledge and skills to provide care to adults from the age of 18 onwards. Adult nurses use a wide range of skills to influence, deliver, plan and assess a person’s care and treatment. They play a vital role in empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care and wellbeing. 

Starting your career as an adult nurse

Choosing subjects at school

The entry requirements for a degree in adult nursing can vary across universities and colleges. Useful subjects include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• English
• Maths

Speak to your guidance teacher or careers adviser about subjects offered at your school.

Education and training pathway

There are many different routes to becoming a registered adult nurse. Find out the best way for you below.

Pre-registration undergraduate adult nursing degree 

Apply for an adult nursing degree if you have the relevant qualifications, regardless of age. You could be a school pupil, college student, career changer, or an assistant practitioner.

This pathway involves gaining a Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree from an NMC-accredited university. The course typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete. When you graduate, you'll become a qualified nurse eligible to register with the NMC. You can then apply for children's nursing roles in the NHS. 

There are 11 universities in Scotland that offer undergraduate programmes in adult nursing, approved by the NMC:

• Edinburgh Napier University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Queen Margaret University
• Robert Gordon University
• The Open University
• University of Dundee
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Glasgow
• University of Stirling
• University of the Highlands and Islands
• University of the West of Scotland 

Search for pre-registration undergraduate nursing degree programmes on My World of Work.

Scottish Widening Access Programme (SWAP)  

SWAP is for adult learners who have been out of education for 3 years or more. 

The SWAP pathway offers a supportive route that you can take to re-enter education and pursue a career in nursing. The one-year course will help to bridge gaps in your education. 

Completing this pathway will prepare you for entry into a SWAP partnered university undergraduate nursing degree programme. Tuition fees and a bursary may be available. 

Find out more about SWAP.

HNC in Healthcare Practice 

You can pply for an HNC in healthcare practice if you are an existing healthcare support worker or you do not have the necessary qualifications for direct entry into a university nursing course.

This pathway starts with studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Healthcare Practice, which serves as a stepping stone towards a nursing degree.

Successful completion of the HNC programme may grant you direct entry into the second year of a university nursing course, accelerating your progress towards becoming a registered nurse within NHSScotland.

Taking one year to complete, many colleges in Scotland provide the HNC Healthcare practice qualification. 

Colleges that offer the course include:

• Edinburgh College
• Forth Valley College
• Glasgow Clyde College
• North East Scotland College

Search for college courses on My World of Work.

Open university 

If you are an existing healthcare support worker who wants to become an adult nurse, the Open University pathway may be right for you.

The Open University offers flexibility with a 4-year part-time course. You will combine working in your existing healthcare support worker role with online study. The distance learning approach includes local placements to provide hands-on experience and training. The Scottish Government covers all tuition fees.

Pre-registration postgraduate adult nursing degree 

To be eligible for the post-graduate pathway, you'll need an undergraduate degree in any subject. The course takes 3 years to complete. 

During this full-time course, you will split your time between on-campus learning and placements in hospitals and community settings.

There are 3 universities in Scotland that offer a pre-registration post-graduate programme in adult nursing:

• Edinburgh Napier University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• University of Edinburgh

Search for pre-registration postgraduate nursing degree programmes on My World of Work.

Return to nursing practice pathway

If you were previously registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the return to practice pathway is right for you. You’ll need an NMC statement of entry confirming your previous registration. 

You'll also need to meet the NMC's practice hours requirements before you start your readmission application.  

If you're unable to meet the practice hours requirement, you can complete one of the following to update your knowledge and skills: 

• A return to practice course combines theoretical and practical application to update your nursing skills. It covers a full range of topics so that you'll be up-to-date with healthcare standards and protocols. Depending on practice hours and pace of study, it takes 14 to 26 weeks.
• The Test of Competence will evaluate your knowledge and skills against NMC standards. 

Find out more about readmission requirements.

Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary

The Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary (PNMSB) scheme is managed by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) on behalf of the Scottish Government. 

It includes a non-repayable bursary of £10,000 that’s not income assessed. Other bursaries or grants may be available depending on your circumstances.

You must meet the eligibility criteria: 

• you ordinarily reside in Scotland
• your course leads to a degree or diploma of higher education in Scotland

Find out more about SASS funding for nursing students.

Get to know the role

An adult registered nurse is a key member of the healthcare team. They deliver direct care and support to people and their families. As an adult nurse you'll be a decision maker for complex clinical decisions in a healthcare environment.

You'll be responsible for peoples physical, clinical and emotional needs. Working as an adult nurse is a rewarding career. Having people put their trust in you when they are at their most vulnerable is a huge privilege.

Adult nursing is a varied profession with many different specialities. Depending on your role, you could:

• develop knowledge and expertise to specialise in a specific body system or condition
• work in areas that focus on general medical or surgical interventions
• work within emergency, high dependency or critical care
• focus on community nursing, health visiting or palliative care
• work within a care home environment
• undertake a role with a focus on education
• undertake a role with a focus on research

Adult nurses have a vital role in helping people understand information about their diagnoses, treatment, and health. 

Registering with the NMC

When you become a qualified nurse, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practice. The NMC are the independent regulator for all registered nurses and midwives in the UK. 

This video from the NMC explains what makes you a registered professional.

Learning and development

Once registered as an adult nurse, there are ongoing requirements for education and skills development. You’ll have opportunities to further develop in your career. 

In your first year as a newly qualified nurse, you’ll get extra support and guidance through the Flying Start NHS programme.

Career progression

In the NHS, you may choose to be a staff nurse throughout your nursing career, keeping up to date through continuing professional development. Taking extra courses and workplace learning could lead to progression through the career pathway to senior, advanced, or consultant level. 

When you have qualified and gained experience as a registered adult nurse, there are lots of specialisms to choose from, including: 

• district nursing
• general practice nursing
• rehabilitation nursing
• older people’s nursing
• accident and emergency nursing
• intensive care nursing
• theatre nursing
• cancer and palliative care nursing
• community staff nursing
• occupational health nursing
• public health
• clinical research  

Revalidation

Revalidation is a process that all nurses need to follow to maintain their registration with the NMC every 3 years.

It is an ongoing process throughout your career as a nurse and aims to:

• promote good practice
• maintain and strengthen public confidence in the profession

Find out more about revalidation on the NMC website.

Professional bodies

When you become a qualified adult nurse, you must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to work in the NHS. You can also join the Royal College of Nursing.