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A Nurse, General Nurse or General Practice Nurse, forms part of what is know as a ‘multidisciplinary team’ (MDT). Nurses usually work in GP surgeries and hospitals with doctors, dietitians and pharmacists. Nurses provide primary care and handle every aspect of patient treatment, from treating small injuries to assisting in minor operations.

Like most care jobs, nursing  involves assessing, screening and administering drugs to people of all ages. Nurses also provide basic nursing care like immunisation, vaccination, wound care and collecting samples from patients. Sometimes, the job involves dealing with long-term conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

Working as a nurse involves a wide range of duties, which provides a challenging and rewarding work environment. This means nurses need to be enthusiastic, adaptable and flexible to handle different cases. 

• If that sounds like you and you would like to find out more about the role of a nurse click here.

A registered general nurse (RGN) assists physicians and doctors with hands-on patient care. The role of a registered general nurse also involves maintaining patient records and explaining the treatment to patients.

The difference between a general nurse and a registered general nurse is that a RGN has certification from the Nursing and Midwifery Council to perform their duties with minimal supervision. 

• For more information on the role of a nurse, see above section on nursing or click here.

The role of a community nurse involves providing services to people who cannot go to the hospital. Essentially, community nurses provide healthcare services on behalf of the government or non-profit organisations. 

What is community nursing? Community nurses perform the same procedures as other nurses due to prior experience in nursing. However, unlike other nurses who focus on treatment, they also promote the prevention of infectious diseases and other illnesses. For instance, a community nurse helps communities practise positive health and wellness techniques. They also initiate programmes to create a safe environment for optimal health.

One of the many benefits of the role is meeting with people from diverse backgrounds and demographics.

• Interested in finding out more about community nursing? Click here to read the full job profile.

As a midwife, you are responsible for caring for women and babies during pregnancy, birth and post-delivery. Your job is to provide high-quality and culturally sensitive care to women and families. Midwives are healthcare professionals who provide various services, including gynaecological examinations, prescriptions, and labour and delivery support.

The role of a midwife involves providing reproductive information to women and families. When a woman conceives, you guide them throughout the pregnancy by providing prenatal advice about nutrition, exercise and pregnancy health. 

• To find out more about the role of a midwife see our midwife job profile page.

Our useful guide 'from graduation to practice: the road to becoming a midwife' article is also a must-read for anyone looking to pursue a career in midwifery.

Healthcare assistants work to create a comfortable environment for patients and to assist them in their daily activities in different healthcare settings ranging from hospitals to clinics and residential homes. As a healthcare assistant, you will have to be ready and willing to work alongside healthcare professionals in different working environments such as surgery, maternity, community, and mental health to ensure patients' safety, comfort, and first hand care. It would be best if you had the required qualifications to work as a healthcare assistant.

• To find out more about what the role of a healthcare assistant entails, see our healthcare assistant job profile page for more details.

A mental health issue is usually triggered by sudden changes in circumstances like divorce, the death of a loved one or substance abuse. Some people also have long term chronic conditions that require lifelong management. As a mental health nurse, you build an effective relationship with patients who are reliant on mental health services and with their relatives. 

Mental health nurses are likely to work in a hospital that offers psychiatric services. In a hospital, you work in a psychiatric ward, outpatient unit or psychiatric intensive care unit, administering treatment and diagnosing patients.

• Want to find out more about becoming a mental health nurse? Visit our mental health nurse job profile page for more details.