Working as a general practice nurse
General practice is one of the most rewarding branches of healthcare. We’re recruiting passionate nurses into general practice to strengthen our primary care services.
If you like to get to know your patients well and enjoy working as part of a team, then General Practice Nursing is a smart career choice. Your skills will make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing within the community.
Working in general practice will enable you to:
- build meaningful relationships with patients
- play a vital role in a practice team , working alongside a range of health professionals
- give more personal care to patients
Whether you are a newly qualified nurse or transitioning from hospital to primary care, General Practice Nursing welcomes your skills and experience.
View Health Education England’s Education and Career Framework (PDF: 2MB) for more information about the core requirements for General Practice Nursing.
Clinical specialisms
You could specialise in:
- obtaining blood samples
- conducting electrocardiograms (ECGs)
- minor and complex wound management including leg ulcers
- travel health advice and vaccinations
- child immunisations and advice
- family planning and women’s health including cervical smears
- men’s health screening
- sexual health services
- smoking cessation
If you’re keen and you want to expand your skill set there is a wealth of opportunities which will open up to you.
Di, Advanced Nurse Practitioner
Development opportunities
With further training and experience, general practice nurses can apply for more senior nursing roles.
These roles are far more autonomous with the ability to manage your own caseloads.
These roles may include:
- senior practice nurse / senior nurse practitioner
- advanced nurse practitioner
- advanced clinical practitioner
Find out more about training and development opportunities on the health careers website.
Health care support workers or health care assistants
Your journey into General Practice Nursing could begin through a role as a health care support worker or health care assistant.
This will allow you to develop and take steps towards becoming a general practice nurse, including the opportunity of higher education courses.
Nursing Associates
Nursing associate is a new role within the nursing team. Nursing associates work with healthcare support workers and registered nurses to deliver care for patients and the public. More information on this role can be found here.
