An Overview of Nursing

MedicsPro is dedicated to connecting qualified nurses with both locum and permanent nursing jobs across various countries and healthcare settings. As a clinician-led recruitment agency, we combine the expertise of clinicians and professional recruiters. Many of our team members have experience working as locums themselves, giving us a deep understanding of what makes for valuable and rewarding nursing opportunities. We provide:

• Access to hundreds of exclusive nursing jobs
• Opportunities within both NHS and private sectors
• Jobs across the UK, Ireland, Scotland & Wales
• A dedicated compliance officer
• A market-leading referral scheme
• Weekly payroll
• Expert consultative service

Our range of nursing job roles includes both permanent and locum positions, with opportunities in outpatients, GP practices, and inpatient specialties like cardiology, neurology, orthopaedics, and urology.

What is a Nurse?

A nurse is a highly trained healthcare professional who plays a crucial role in a patient's healthcare journey. Nurses can work across various departments or choose to specialize in a specific area. In nursing roles, they ensure that a patient’s basic needs are met while also performing clinical tasks such as catheterization, wound care, and administering medications. Nurses collaborate closely with doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and healthcare assistants to provide the best quality of care.

Nurses may work with patients in various situations, including:

• Long-term care on an inpatient ward following a stroke
• Performing asthma reviews in a GP surgery
• Providing 1:1 care in an intensive care unit
• Administering medications for suspected heart attacks in A&E
• Offering post-operative care on recovery wards

With such a broad range, nursing roles offer opportunities to work in many different specialties throughout a career.

Nursing Qualifications

To work as a registered nurse, a bachelor’s degree in Nursing is required. Nurses must also be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practice in the UK. Nurses care for patients at their most vulnerable, so they must be compassionate, diligent, and have excellent communication skills. The role often involves working in high-pressure situations and managing competing clinical demands. Nurses are also encouraged to continue their training and development, with opportunities to gain additional qualifications like prescribing or advanced clinical skills.

Nursing Job Salary Range

Nurses typically start their careers on band 5 of the NHS pay scale, earning around £25,000 per annum. This salary can increase with experience, additional skills, or qualifications. A nurse who advances to a managerial position or modern matron can earn over £50,000.

Locum nurses generally earn a higher hourly rate than permanent nurses, potentially earning between £25-£40 per hour. Working unsociable hours, such as nights, weekends, or bank holidays, can offer an uplifted rate of up to 1.5 times the standard rate, providing an opportunity to earn a superb salary while working fewer hours.

What does a Locum Nurse do?

Locum nurses perform duties similar to those of permanent nurses, such as ward duties, patient care, and completing paperwork. However, they have the flexibility to select shifts that suit them, such as working only day or night shifts or focusing on one specialty. While permanent nurses can build strong relationships with their team and patients, locum nurses must quickly adapt to new environments, patients, and procedures. Despite these challenges, locum nursing offers a higher rate of pay and flexibility.

Nursing Jobs

MedicsPro is proud to offer a range of respected locum and permanent nursing jobs for outstanding candidates. As a locum nurse, you might work in:

• A&E
• Cardiology
• Paediatrics
• Fertility clinics
• Mental health services
• Occupational health