Adult Nursing BN (Hons)

Nursing is an ever growing and innovative profession and nurses are working in multi professional teams across health and care settings. Nurses are in a unique position to deliver care in partnership with people and carers, wherever care is needed. Across the health and care system there is an increased focus on preventing ill health, enabling people to self-care, to be partners in their care and to have a better quality of life. The rapid pace of advances in medical and nursing care, treatment and technology is creating new career opportunities for nursing with rapid developments in different service provision and ways of working.  The career opportunities and roles can range from very unique options from front line staff to working in a leadership position or specialised nurse or consultant nurse.

They are many different types of nursing and varied opportunities for career advancement and work in a variety of settings. Nursing roles come in many forms and can progress in your career moving from a staff nurse to nurse specialist, ward manager, matron, leader, researcher, educator and nurse consultant. Nursing positions are split into different bands all of which have different salaries.

Opportunities for adult nurses range from caring for patients to becoming a specialist. A graduate career in adult nursing involves caring for the physical aspects of adults and developing your skills and progression, the management of people plus resources. This involves monitoring and assessing people and responding to changes quickly.

In the NHS there is a clear career structure supporting nurses in their development from staff nurse working on a ward, for example, to autonomous consultants managing a caseload of patients in the community. There is a wide range of opportunities available for adult nurses ranging from becoming specialists in promoting health, to caring for patients when they are at their most vulnerable whilst recovering from major illness or surgery. Settings are diverse, ranging from an intensive care unit to a patient’s own home. Newly qualified nurses who work in a hospital environment on a ward will generally look after a group of patients during a span of duty. They will work as part of a multidisciplinary team acting as the main point of contact for the patient and coordinating the contributions of other healthcare professionals.

Employability and the School of Health Sciences

Graduates in nursing, midwifery and radiography from the School of Health Sciences gain both an academic and professional qualification that is well-regarded by Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board, Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, the Countess of Chester Hospital and other educational partner placement providers in Wales and England.

Our employability record is excellent and you can view current statistics as well as other essential information about our programmes at Unistats.

Careers advice

Careers advice is gained from healthcare professionals both in practice and in dedicated careers sessions and NHS Careers has more details of the career opportunities that are available to Midwifery graduates. You are also eligible to register for the Bangor Employability Award to further enhance career prospects and advice is also available form the Bangor University Careers & Employability Service.

The School offers a wide range of post-graduate and post-registration opportunities to further enhance career prospects such as Masters degree programmes and courses leading to qualifications for specialisms including intensive care nursing or specialist practice awards. The post-graduate award programmes involve research leading to Masters and Doctoral qualifications, which includes our Professional Doctorate aimed at individuals in advanced clinical or organisational roles which combine elements of practice, research and service improvement in healthcare.

All students are well-supported in practice placements and the Nursing and Midwifery Council have favourably assessed the quality of mentorship provision and student support in clinical placements concluding 'the university and its partners are commended for their excellent partnership relationships at strategic and operational levels' (NMC UK Wide Quality Assurance Framework Programme Monitoring Report 2011).

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.