7 Reasons to Study Nursing in the UK

As the current situation continues to unfold, the importance of medical professions becomes more evident. We read stories daily about the heroism of the nurses and doctors who work long hours to control COVID-19 and save people's lives. These stories are inspiring to many of us, and students like you may be considering nursing as a career path now. Nursing involves helping others and saving lives; it is the career of empathy and passion. 

Becoming a nurse is not easy; however, it can be an extremely rewarding career. If you are considering nursing as a major, here are 7 advantages to studying nursing in the UK, you should keep in mind. 

Diverse Study Options

According to Nursing Times, the UK has the top universities in the world to study nursing. There are 114 educational institutions offering 585 nursing courses in the UK such as Anglia Ruskin University, Bangor University, Birmingham City University, Bournemouth University, University of Brighton and University of Greenwich. A nursing degree usually lasts for four years, covering practical and theoretical aspects of nursing as students are presented with diverse study materials ranging from lectures to tutorials to practical sessions, etc. You get to choose between four major nursing fields in the UK: adult nursing, children's nursing, learning disability nursing, and mental health nursing; some universities even allow dual majors.

The most notable medical institution is located in King's College London, which started teaching the first nursing training course in 1860 hosted by Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care is the main faculty teaching nursing within the college. It offers a wide range of programmes as you can acquire a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and register as an adult nurse, children's nurse, mental health nurse or midwife. Moreover, there are courses for qualified health professionals like the Clinical Practice BSc course and Specialist Community Public Health Visiting/School Nursing BSc course. International students can also seek postgraduate studies and conduct nursing research in the faculty.

Financial Support and Scholarships

As a nursing student, you have a good opportunity to get a scholarship from a university in the UK. Many universities offer scholarships or funds for undergraduates, postgraduates and even graduates who are willing to train to become nurses. Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Queen's University, University of Surrey Ted Adams and the University of Edinburgh are few of the universities that offer nursing scholarships. Some scholarships are only available if you are a UK resident; however, the University of Surrey Ted and The University of Edinburgh both offer the same opportunity to both International and domestic students. Additionally, It is worth mentioning that British students are also eligible for a financial aid of around £5000, while that might not apply to international students, it shows how important this field of study is in the UK. 

Worldwide Degree

Acquiring a nursing degree from the UK will allow you to work as a nurse in the UK and all over the world, it presents a great opportunity that will open up various career paths for you. You can easily return to your home country to work or even work as a travel nurse. Working as a travel nurse gives you a chance to experience the field in different countries where the demand for nurses is high. There you will receive good pay, housing, and even your travel costs will be covered. Besides, You will get to enhance your skills as you will be exposed to new medical procedures in each country.

Prosperous Graduate Prospects

Nursing graduates are the most employable in the UK as 94% of the students find jobs within just six months of graduation. There is a shortage of nurses in the UK, so you will get to work the job you want in no time! This shortage of nurses is a worldwide issue as well, and that is why you should consider the travel nurse field, a highly-demanded field all over the globe. As people get ill daily, your presence as a nurse will always remain essential to provide the required medical assistance and support.

Diverse, Stable And Dynamic Career

Nursing is a rising career with continuously increasing demand. Therefore, you can easily switch jobs or even switch your workplace from hospitals to clinics to nursing care facilities. That is not all! Nurses can choose to change their speciality to gain more experience and knowledge.

As a nurse, you will never stop learning, as every new patient is a new learning experience. You get to learn about medical care methods, treatment, people and culture. Besides, promotions in the nursing career are gained through professional development, continuous education, and advanced degrees, so every experience counts!

Practical Knowledge

Generally, every college student has to go through various books and study material throughout the year to gain knowledge and to pass their finals. When it comes to nursing, the majority of your studying material is practical as you get to train in hospitals and communities. This is the perfect field for people who prefer and excel in practical learning over theoretical learning. The practical knowledge you gain during studying helps you prepare to join the work field afterwards. Your studies show you settings and scenarios you might face in real-life work as well as equipment and technology you will get to use to save lives. 

Noble Cause

As proven by the recent situation with the Coronavirus, nurses are warriors who are highly-needed throughout the world. Doctors and Nurses stand in the front lines to help humanity fight against COVID-19. Nursing is not just a profession; it is a way of life, where you choose to help your community. You get to deal with patients and provide assistance regarding their vulnerabilities. You get to know and communicate with people daily on an emotional level. This field of study requires a high level of compassion as a part of the profession; communication skills are also essential to reassure patients and decide on the type of help they need.  

As a nurse, Your community will recognize you as a distinguished person and your family will be proud of your work and passion. Nursing is a noble and altruistic profession that takes great determination and preparation.