Adult Nursing

Adult nursing is at the centre of healthcare provision, with registered adult nurses making up the largest group of clinical professionals in the NHS. The role spans an extraordinary range of clinical settings and patient needs, from acute surgical and medical wards to community nursing, critical care, outpatient services and care for people with long-term conditions. Adult nursing demands both technical clinical competence and the communication skills and empathy needed to provide genuinely person-centred care to patients who may be in pain, frightened, confused, or facing serious illness.

At the University of Exeter, this three-year full-time degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and prepares you for registration as an adult nurse. You will study the biological and physiological foundations of health and disease, medicines management, evidence-based practice, nursing assessment and clinical decision-making, and the legal and ethical frameworks that govern nursing. The programme integrates academic study with substantial clinical placement hours in NHS trusts and other healthcare organisations, where you will develop the practical skills and professional behaviours that safe and effective nursing requires.

Exeter's strong relationships with health provider organisations across the South West ensure a wide range of placement opportunities.

Graduates who register with the NMC are eligible to work as registered nurses across NHS trusts and other healthcare providers in the UK and internationally. The breadth of the adult nursing field means that career development is highly varied. Many nurses develop clinical specialisms in areas such as critical care, oncology, diabetes management, or older people's services.

Others move into community and district nursing, practice nursing, education and clinical training, research, or management and leadership roles. Postgraduate study supports progression into advanced clinical practice and specialist nursing qualifications.