Looking for a career or recruiting a newly qualified general practice nurse? Click here to find out all about our NSHE/I funded New To Practice training, development and education scheme!
General practice nurses work in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team, which might include doctors, pharmacists and dietitians. In larger practices, you might be one of several practice nurses sharing duties and responsibilities. In others, you might be working on your own, taking on many roles.
You could be involved in most aspects of patient care including:
- Obtaining blood samples
- electrocardiograms (ECGs)
- Minor and complex wound management including leg ulcers
- Travel health advice and vaccinations
- Child immunisations and advice
- Family planning & women’s health including cervical smears
- Men’s health screening
- Sexual health services
- Smoking cessation
- Screening and helping patients to manage long term conditions
Entry requirements –
Normally you will have already completed a nursing degree, either full time undergraduate or a 18 month top up nursing degree apprenticeship. From here you may need to complete a new to practice or returning to practice course to help you adjust to life in general practice. Some practices may also want you to complete a specialist practitioner course.
Career progression –
You could specialise in health promotion, chronic disease management, diabetes or asthma care.
With experience and qualifications you could become a nurse practitioner, managing your own caseload of patients. You could also move into management, teaching or research.
HED support Nursing placements from the below University. Every nursing student should now have at least one placement in primary care within their degree course. To find out more about courses click on the universities below.
The Primary Care & General Practice Nursing Career & Capabilities Framework
General practice nursing capabilities framework - Skills for Health
What skills do you need?
- counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
- knowledge of psychology
- the ability to work well under pressure
- sensitivity and understanding
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change
- customer service skills
- knowledge of English language
- basic knowledge of using a computer