Nursing
Nursing is one of the most significant and rewarding professions in the health system, combining clinical knowledge, technical skill, compassionate care and professional judgement to support patients through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Nurses assess patients, plan and deliver care, administer medications, monitor recovery, educate patients and families, and advocate for those in their care within complex and often pressured healthcare environments. The profession requires both intellectual rigour and the human qualities of empathy, resilience and commitment.
At the University of Exeter this four-year, full-time programme leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and qualifies graduates to work as registered nurses in NHS Trusts and other health provider organisations. You will study the biological sciences that underpin nursing practice, including anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, alongside the nursing theory, evidence-based practice, communication skills and clinical reasoning that distinguish professional nursing from care support. Placements are a substantial element of the programme, exposing you to a range of clinical environments and patient groups throughout your four years of study and allowing you to develop the practical skills and professional identity of a registered nurse under the supervision of experienced clinical practitioners.
Registered nurses from Exeter pursue careers across the full range of NHS settings, including acute hospital wards, community nursing, specialist units and primary care. Field-specific roles in adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing or learning disability nursing are available depending on the specific registration pathway completed. With experience, nurses progress into senior nursing, specialist practice, advanced clinical practice, nursing management, education and research roles.
The breadth of settings and patient groups with which nurses work makes nursing one of the most versatile professional qualifications available.