Registered Nurse jobs

Registered Nurse jobs: frequently asked questions

(Updated Dec 2024)

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

What is a Registered Nurse?

A Registered Nurse is an NMC qualified Nurse who has completed a degree within one of the four core NHS specialisms: adult, child, mental health and learning disabilities. Registered Nurses are known under many other titles including RGN or General Nurses.

A Registered Nurse job could be in a hospital or community setting, either in the NHS or privately. Registered Nurses work in a variety of settings including hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons, schools, community health centres and care homes.

What are the daily duties of a Registered Nurse?

The duties of a Registered Nurse vary based on the setting, your specialist area and your seniority. However, they may include:

• Creating patient care plans

• Checking and recording patient condition

• Managing and administering medication

• Supporting doctors with assessments, treatments and consultations

• Supporting patients’ families

• Preparing for hospital discharges

• Educating patients about ongoing health plans and treatments

• Mentoring students and junior nurses

Your working hours depend on the setting in which you work. Hospital roles tend to be shift-based, including nights and weekends. Community positions are more likely to be 9-5, Monday to Friday.

What qualifications do you need to become a Registered Nurse?

To apply for a Registered Nurse job you need to be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) – for which you need a recognised nursing degree. Relevant degrees are available in any of these four core areas: adult, child, mental health and learning disabilities.

Courses generally last 3 years, unless you study part-time or choose to take an apprenticeship.

You’ll gain any practical experience you’ll need while you study.

How much do Registered Nurses earn?

Registered Nurses in the NHS, like all other employees, are paid using a banding system. Once qualified, they earn a Band 5 salary – which is currently £29,969 a year.

With enough experience or qualifications you can work your way up through the bandings – at Band 6 or 7 you can expect wages of somewhere between £40,000 and £50,000.

Beyond this, Advanced Nurses, Modern Matrons and Nurse Consultants can earn a lot more – with some consultant-level Nurses earning more than £70,000 a year.

For detailed info on exactly what you can earn, use our handy NHS pay calculator.

Most Registered Nurses work in the NHS, but some do work in the private sector. Although NHS wages are used as a benchmark, private salaries vary so it’s hard to pinpoint a starting or average wage. Broadly speaking, salaries are similar.

Find your next Registered Nurse 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 arise.