Highest Paying Nursing Jobs In The UK

“Nurses should be well paid to reflect their specialised skills and important role they play in the healthcare system and beyond… In the UK, there are many nursing roles that offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.”

In this useful article, Theatre Nurse Olivia discusses the highest paid nursing jobs in the UK, and what skills, experience, and qualifications you might need to apply.

Nursing is a rewarding profession that requires a great deal of skill, knowledge, dedication, and empathy. Nurses should be well paid to reflect their specialised skills and important role they play in the healthcare system and beyond.

In the UK, there are many nursing roles that offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement. In this article, I will look at some of the highest paying nursing jobs in the UK, what they entail, and how you could work towards them.

Nurse Consultant

Nurse Consultants are extremely skilled, experienced nurses who work at a senior level, providing clinical leadership and expertise.

They are responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures related to patient care, as well as providing guidance and support to other nurses. Nurse Consultants typically earn between £44,000 and £104,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Nursing Times Salary Survey, 2020).

To become a Nurse Consultant in the UK, you will need to need to gain significant experience as a Registered Nurse. From there you can apply for a Nurse Consultant position in a variety of healthcare settings. Nurse Consulting can be a difficult role to get into because you need a great deal of experience in a certain nursing field. Depending on how quickly you can advance your skills, this can take between 5 - 20 years!

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Clinical Nurse Specialists are advanced Practice Nurses who specialise in a particular area of healthcare, such as oncology, emergency medicine, or paediatrics. They are responsible for providing expert clinical care, as well as developing and implementing care plans for patients.

Clinical Nurse Specialists usually earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

To become a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the UK, you will need to gain experience as a Registered Nurse in a certain area. Then you must complete a master’s degree in nursing with a CNS specialisation. Once you have completed your degree, you can register as a CNS with the NMC and apply for CNS positions in a variety of healthcare settings, depending on your area of expertise.

Again, it takes time to develop the skills and expertise to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist, but it is a highly rewarding career!

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners are advanced Practice Nurses who work independently to diagnose and treat patients. They are authorised to prescribe medications and order diagnostic tests. Nurse Practitioners work closely with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and holistic care.

Nurse Practitioners can earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in the UK isn't easy, but it's possible! Once you gain at least two years’ experience, you will need to complete a master's degree in nursing and a Nurse Practitioner program before registering as a nurse practitioner with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Nurse Manager

Nurse Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of healthcare organisations, including managing staff, budgets, and resources.

Nurse Managers are also responsible for ensuring that patient care is delivered to a high standard and in accordance with established policies and procedures. They typically earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

If you want to be a Nurse Manager, you need to gain experience in your chosen field. Work towards becoming a manager by taking every learning opportunity and any available leadership roles. You also need to gain respect from your colleagues in order to succeed in becoming a manager. Consider pursuing any extra education like a postgraduate certification or master’s degree. Take management courses as well.

With the right skills, mindset, and experience, you could become a manager in as little as 2 years (I've seen it happen first hand!).

Nurses should be well paid to reflect their specialised skills and important role they play in the healthcare system and beyond… In the UK, there are many nursing roles that offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.

Nurse Educator

Nurse Educators teach, inspire and train other nurses. They also develop and implement educational programs. Nurse educators work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, universities, and community colleges.

Nurse Educators typically earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

Become a Nurse Educator by gaining experience in your field, pursuing higher education like a master’s degree, and finally apply for nurse education roles.

Nurse Researcher

Nurse Researchers conduct research studies to improve patient care and outcomes. They work in a variety of settings, including universities, hospitals, and research organisations.

Nurse Researchers typically earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

To become a Nurse Researcher, you need to have an interest in research! Apply for nurse research jobs online, or volunteer to work in research studies as a low-level technician to gain experience.

Nurse Anaesthetist

Nurse Anaesthetists are advanced practice nurses who administer anaesthesia to patients undergoing surgery or other medical procedures.

They work closely with other healthcare professionals, including anaesthesiologists and surgeons, to ensure that patients receive safe and effective anaesthesia.

Nurse Anaesthetists typically earn between £31,000 and £72,000 per year, depending on their level of experience and the type of healthcare organisation they work for (Health Careers, NHS).

This can be a highly competitive field to enter, but a very rewarding one. Many Nurse Anaesthetists start as Theatre Nurses and transition into anaesthetics from there. Try to be friendly with the anaesthetic team and be eager to learn more. Let your manager know that anaesthetics is the path you want to follow, so if any opportunities come up, you can be put forward for them.

Mental Health Nurse

Mental Health Nurses in the UK are Registered Nurses who have specialised training in mental illness. They work with patients who have mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Mental Health Nurses provide a range of services, including assessment, medication management, and therapy.

The salary of a Mental Health Nurse in the UK can vary depending on several factors, such as location, experience, and employer. According to the National Health Service (NHS), the starting salary for a Registered Nurse in the UK is around £24,907 per year, while the average salary for a Mental Health Nurse is around £31,000-£44,000 per year!

Mental Health Nurses with more experience or those who work in private practice may earn higher salaries than public hospitals. Salaries can also vary depending on the area of nursing, such as child and adolescent mental health or forensic mental health.

With the right education, training, and experience, you can make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families!

Theatre Nurse

Theatre Nurses work in operating theatres or surgical suites. They are responsible for providing care to patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. Their duties can include prepping the operating room, assisting surgical team(s) during procedures, and monitoring the patient's vital signs and anaesthesia during surgery.

Theatre Nurses also ensure that the equipment and instruments used during surgery are sterile and in good working order. They may also be responsible for educating patients about the surgical process and post-operative care.

Salary for Theatre Nurses can vary depending on experience. According to the Indeed UK website, the average salary for a Theatre Nurse is £31,762. Agency Theatre Nurses who travel between cities are in high demand and are paid very well, £30-£40+ an hour. Yes, you read that right!

Overall, Theatre Nurses play a crucial role in ensuring that surgical procedures are safe and successful.

Conclusion

Nursing is a highly rewarding profession that offers a wide range of career opportunities. If you're interested in pursuing a career in nursing, consider one of these high-paying nursing jobs in the UK.

With the right education, training, and experience, you can make a real difference in the lives of patients and their families!

We'd love to hear about your salary and what your specialty is! Leave a comment below.