Adult Nurse Jobs

Adult Nurse jobs: frequently asked questions

(FAQs updated December 2024)

Welcome to our Adult Nurse jobs page, featuring all the latest roles throughout the UK, as well as frequently asked questions below.

What is an Adult Nurse?

Adult Nurses care for patients suffering from a variety of health conditions. It’s the most common type of nursing role, and may also be labelled a General Nurse, Registered Nurse or RGN. Adult nurses typically work within multidisciplinary teams – but can also operate independently, depending on the setting.

They can work in hospitals, GP surgeries, community locations, prisons, schools, care homes and beyond. Roles are available both within the NHS and the private sector.

What are the daily responsibilities of an Adult Nurse?

Daily duties vary for an Adult Nurse depending on the setting. But typically, responsibilities can include:

• Creating and maintaining patient care plans

• Observing and recording the ongoing condition of patients

• Managing and administering medication and injections

• Helping doctors with assessments, operations and consultations

• Planning discharges from hospitals

• Educating patients and their families about their ongoing health

• Supporting students and junior nurses

• Working with patients’ families to help them understand their situation and supporting them with ongoing care plans

More often than not hospital roles operate on a varied shift pattern that can include evenings and weekends – while community and private roles are more likely to be on a 9-5, Monday to Friday basis.

What qualifications do you need to become an Adult Nurse?

To secure an adult nursing job you need to be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). And to be eligible to register you need to complete a nursing degree.

Courses typically last three years and are available at universities and educational institutions throughout the UK. Half of your course will involve clinical practice, and apprenticeships are also available – which offers a way of qualifying whilst earning some money.

In terms of experience, your degree should set a foundation that helps you to land your first role. But in some cases taking bank work or even gaining work experience will put you in a far better position.

How much do Adult Nurses earn?

Adult Nurse salaries start at £29,969 a year once qualified – rising incrementally every year until you reach the top of your banding. This is what’s known as a Band 5 salary.

From there, more experience and qualifications can help you to work your way up into higher bandings. Band 6 salaries can head towards £45,000 a year, and Band 7 salaries can go well beyond this.

Advanced Nurses, Modern Matrons and Nurse Consultants can earn much, much more – with some consultant-level Nurses earning more than £80,000 a year.

For an exact picture of what you’ll earn at different bandings, check out our handy pay calculator.

As an Adult Nurse you have the foundation to take your career in many different directions and increase your earnings in many ways. You could work as an agency or bank nurse, work in the private sector where salaries can be higher, or choose to become more specialised.

Find your next Adult Nursing job today

View our latest roles above, or if you can’t find what you’re looking for, create an account and register your CV here and we’ll send you the latest roles as soon as they come up.