Many developed countries have experienced shortage of nurses these days. The UK too has a huge demand for nursing courses.
Nursing course- In order to take up a nursing profession in the NHS, one must have a diploma or degree in nursing. This is a pre-registration program. After registering with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), an individual becomes ready to practice as a nurse. This degree involves 50% of theory and 50% practice. Recently a huge number of applications have come up for nursing courses from across the globe.
Different Branches- There are four categories of pre-registration nursing programs - children (paediatric), adult, learning disability and mental health. One of these categories have to be chosen carefully because only few institutions allow you to change your category after the course commencement. All these categories have a common foundation program (CBF) for the first one year before their specialisations start.
Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing- Nursing practice is 50% of the program and is supervised and takes place both in hospital settings and communities. On course completion, individuals are awarded with professional and academic qualifications.
Nursing Degree- Just like in the case of the diploma programs, the degree courses also run for three years with the first year being for CFP programs and specializations in the next two years. Some degree programs actually lasts for four years. Here too, students are awarded with academic and professional qualifications.
Previous Learning - Practice and Theory Recognition- APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning ) is the process of learning some of the previous theoretical and practice activities in fulfilling the requirements and shortening the course time. One-third of the 3-years program can be shortened in this way. This previous learning or APEL might include relevant studies like health related or some biology-based studies.
Part-time Options - Some universities provide part-time nursing programs that run around five or six years. These courses are available to the NHS staff members and they can study as long as level 3 - NVQ (or equivalent) to practice as an assistant practitioner.
Nursing posts / Further studies- As said earlier, after finishing up with the pre-registration programs, one has to register in the NMC. And after this an individual is free to apply for a nursing post. With some experience in the field an individual can always go for career developments by perusing higher studies.
The Healthcare industry in the UK is developing fast and this is an on-going process. With the technology improving all the time and the needs of the population changing, it is very important to keep yourself equipped with the latest issues and practices.
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.
- Spanish Proverb.
Good health is the greatest asset possessed by human beings. This is exactly why health organizations like the NHS and DH (Department of Health) are honoured so much. And a nurse plays a very important part in the health organizations. It would not be an exaggeration to say that a healthcare industry without a nurse is like a powerfully engined sports bike without its wheels.
Nursing course- In order to take up a nursing profession in the NHS, one must have a diploma or degree in nursing. This is a pre-registration program. After registering with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council), an individual becomes ready to practice as a nurse. This degree involves 50% of theory and 50% practice. Recently a huge number of applications have come up for nursing courses from across the globe.
Different Branches- There are four categories of pre-registration nursing programs - children (paediatric), adult, learning disability and mental health. One of these categories have to be chosen carefully because only few institutions allow you to change your category after the course commencement. All these categories have a common foundation program (CBF) for the first one year before their specialisations start.
Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing- Nursing practice is 50% of the program and is supervised and takes place both in hospital settings and communities. On course completion, individuals are awarded with professional and academic qualifications.
Nursing Degree- Just like in the case of the diploma programs, the degree courses also run for three years with the first year being for CFP programs and specializations in the next two years. Some degree programs actually lasts for four years. Here too, students are awarded with academic and professional qualifications.
Previous Learning - Practice and Theory Recognition- APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning ) is the process of learning some of the previous theoretical and practice activities in fulfilling the requirements and shortening the course time. One-third of the 3-years program can be shortened in this way. This previous learning or APEL might include relevant studies like health related or some biology-based studies.
Part-time Options - Some universities provide part-time nursing programs that run around five or six years. These courses are available to the NHS staff members and they can study as long as level 3 - NVQ (or equivalent) to practice as an assistant practitioner.
Nursing posts / Further studies- As said earlier, after finishing up with the pre-registration programs, one has to register in the NMC. And after this an individual is free to apply for a nursing post. With some experience in the field an individual can always go for career developments by perusing higher studies.
The Healthcare industry in the UK is developing fast and this is an on-going process. With the technology improving all the time and the needs of the population changing, it is very important to keep yourself equipped with the latest issues and practices.
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.
- Spanish Proverb.
Good health is the greatest asset possessed by human beings. This is exactly why health organizations like the NHS and DH (Department of Health) are honoured so much. And a nurse plays a very important part in the health organizations. It would not be an exaggeration to say that a healthcare industry without a nurse is like a powerfully engined sports bike without its wheels.
