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JOB PROFILE: Adult Nurse Qualifications and courses
Tue 30 Apr 2019Qualifications and courses
You must hold a degree in adult nursing that has been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Minimum entry requirements for a degree are usually 2–3 A levels/H grades, ideally including a science-based subject, and 5 GCSEs/National 5s (C or above, or 4 or above in England), including English, maths and a science subject. All applicants must obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before commencing their training.
If you do not have the required GCSEs/A levels, some universities will accept other qualifications, such as the BTEC Level 3 qualifications in Health and Social Care (Health Sciences), or an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a science or health-related subject. Check your desired university for their specific entry requirements.
Graduates with a degree in a health-related subject such as human biology, life and medical sciences or biomedical science, may be eligible to enter the nursing profession by taking an accelerated 2-year programme that leads to a Master of Science (MSc) or Postgraduate Diploma.
Pre-entry experience is not essential, but relevant experience as a care worker or in some other work with people is good preparation.
You are eligible to register as a nurse with the NMC once you have completed an approved nursing degree. Nurses are expected to engage in continuing professional development (CPD) throughout their career to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
Alternatively, you could take a nursing degree apprenticeship. Degree apprenticeships will qualify applicants to the same level as a graduate and typically take 4 years to complete.
What the work involves
Adult nurses assess the needs of each patient in order to plan a care programme for them. You will work alongside doctors and other medical practitioners to observe how patients progress on treatment plans and modify them as necessary. You will also give patients practical care such as administering medicines and injections, changing dressings and checking blood pressure.
You could work in a variety of positions, such as a community nurse, occupational nurse or healthcare assistant.
Type of person suited to this work
You will be working with patients from all parts of the community who will have a wide range of problems, so it is essentail to remain non-judgemental and sympathetic. A clear understanding of confidentiality is essential.
You will need excellent communication skills in order to interact with patients, explain care plans and illnesses, and calm those who are angry or distressed.
You will also need to be very practical with good maunal dexterity for undertaking precision jobs such as taking blood.
Working conditions
You will usually work 37.5 hours per week but overtime is available for those who want it. If you are working in a hospital, these hours will include night and weekend shifts.
You could work in a number of locations including hospitals, GP surgeries, prisons, hospices and in patients’ homes. If you are required to travel around in the local community, a driving licence is useful.
Adult nurses in hospitals work in specific wards, such as intensive care or accident and emergency.
Future prospects
There is currently a huge shortage of nurses, and so the job is in huge demand in the UK. The Royal College of Nursing reports that England needs at least 20,000 more nursing staff.
The majority of job opportunities lie within the NHS, although other employers include private hospitals, the armed forces, hospices and nursing homes, and the prison service.
With experience and additional qualifications, you could specialise in a subject of interest such as neurology or cardiology, and go on to become a nurse consultant.
UK nursing qualifications are recognised across the globe so there are opportunities to work abroad.
Advantages/disadvantages
Helping a wide range of people to get better or become more independent is both rewarding and enjoyable.
There are opportunities to work flexible hours or part time. Career breaks are common and the NHS runs specialist courses to get nurses who have had a break back up to speed quickly.
You may have to deal with distressed, angry or violent patients.
Money guide
Nurses' salaries follow a rising scale divided into 9 bands. As a fully qualified nurse you could start on band 5, which pays between £23,023 and £29,608. Those who take on a senior position with additional responsibilities can advance towards band 6, which pays between £28,050 and £36,644.
If you specialise in a particular area and undertake the training to become a nurse consultant, you could advance towards band 7, which pays £33,222–£43,041, or band 8, which pays £42,414–£85,333.
Further information
Content generously provided by Indigo Trotman.
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JOB PROFILE: Museum/Art Gallery Curator
Tue 23 Apr 2019Qualifications and courses
Entrants to this profession often have a relevant degree in a subject such as archaeology, history of art, heritage management, fine art or archive and museum studies. However, a number of entrants have degrees in other academic fields, such as English literature or languages. Typical degree entry requirements include 2 A levels/3 H grades and 5 GCSEs/National 5s (C or above, or 4 or above in England).
As competition for entry-level jobs is very high, many candidates increasingly have a postgraduate qualification in museum, gallery or heritage studies. To study at this level you will need at least a 2.1 in your undergraduate degree.
Employers will also require you to have relevant paid or voluntary work experience. Details of opportunities to volunteer are available through the Museums Association, the National Trust and English Heritage.
Many curators continue their studies while working and undertake a master's degree or doctorate (PhD) in their specialist area, such as Egyptology. Short training courses and professional development schemes are often provided by museums, galleries and the Museums Association (MA). The National Gallery and Art Fund also run two Curatorial Traineeships. The Archives and Records Association has a list of organisations offering paid and volunteer placements. Once employed you may also wish to study for a Diploma in Cultural Heritage (Levels 2, 3 and 5).
What the work involves
You will manage and maintain collections of artworks, historical objects or documents. Curators usually have specialist knowledge of a specific historical or cultural field such as women's history, textiles or archaeology. You will research and write about the collections in your care.
You might be responsible for thinking of ways in which you can gain funding for your museum/gallery. You will also organise exhibit loans with other museums/galleries.
You will work with other museum/gallery staff to plan exhibitions using items and information from your collection. You may also give talks to members of the public at special events.
Type of person suited to this work
You will need a good knowledge of history and of your specialist area of art/culture. You must be able to communicate this information to other staff and be a confident public speaker. You may lecture at educational events so enthusiasm for your subject is essential.
You will need good written communication skills for writing reports. IT skills are increasingly important in this area, for example when managing collection information through specialist databases. You should be organised, careful and have good attention to detail. The ability to work in a team and foster relationships with local and national organisations is also important.
Working conditions
Curators generally work 37 hours a week, however these hours may be extended for special exhibitions and private showings. Freelance and consultancy work is common.
This job will probably involve weekend or evening work. You may have to be on call to respond to emergencies at the gallery/museum.
Working environments vary depending on the size, location and popularity of the gallery/museum. You will work indoors on a daily basis. There may be some heavy lifting and carrying involved when exhibits need to be moved.
Future prospects
Museum/gallery work is a competitive area in which to develop a career as staff turnover is low, but it offers a variety of interesting roles.
You could work your way up in some larger organisations but often you will need to move employers or geographical location in order to move up the career ladder.
From working as an assistant curator, you could progress into a curator's role. You could then move on to work as a senior curator or go into managing museums/galleries or historic buildings, or consultancy work.
Advantages/disadvantages
This job provides the satisfaction of working closely with works of art and historical objects, some of which can be very valuable.
You will help create exhibitions and then watch the public enjoy them.
Gaining necessary funding and adhering to budget restrictions may be difficult.
Money guide
Salaries vary according to the location, size and type of employer.
A museum or art gallery curatorial assistant can expect a starting salary of £18,000–£25,000.
An experienced curator can earn between £25,000 and £35,000.
As a senior curator, with high levels of responsibility, you could achieve up to or in excess of £40,000 per year.
Further information
Content generously provided by Indigo Trotman.
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JOB PROFILE: Barrister/Advocate
Tue 02 Apr 2019Qualifications and courses
England and Wales
You will need either a qualifying law degree or another degree (minimum 2.1 Honours for both), followed by a postgraduate law conversion course, known as the Common Professional Examination, or a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Following this, you must pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) prior to applying for the vocational stage of qualification. This involves becoming a member of one of the four Inns of Court where you will undertake the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). This will prepare you for completion of two 6-month pupillages (a mix of work and training taking place in chambers). Training for the ‘bar’ continues for 3 years, working in one of the Inns of Court.
Once you have qualified, you will be required by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to undertake at least 45 hours of continuing professional development (CPD). This must include at least 9 hours of advocacy training, 3 hours of ethics and the completion of the Forensic Accounting Course. The amount of annual CPD you are required to take will drop after the first 3 years.
Scotland
You will need either an Honours degree in Scottish Law from a Scottish university (minimum 2.1 Honours); an Ordinary degree in Scottish Law from a Scottish university with an Honours degree from a UK university (minimum 2.1 Honours); or a Scottish Ordinary degree with distinction. You must also undertake a 1-year full-time postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at a Scottish university.
For vocational entry, you will need to work for 12–21 months in a solicitor's office and ‘devilling’ (training with) a member of the bar for 9 months, before taking the entry examinations of the Faculty of Advocates.
What the work involves
Barristers/advocates give legal advice to other legal professionals and act for clients in certain cases in the high courts. You will research information and past cases before giving advice to solicitors on whether a case should go to court.
In court, you will examine witnesses and present the case for the prosecution or the defence.
You will also act for clients at tribunals or inquiries if asked to do so by a solicitor.
Type of person suited to this work
You will need to research large amounts of information before giving legal advice. You will need to be able to think logically to work out what is important in the case and apply the law to it.
You will need to be confident to speak in court, to convince a jury with your arguments, and able to think quickly when questioning witnesses or defendants.
Excellent written and public speaking skills are needed in order to prepare your case. Keeping an open mind is important and you must be able to gain people's confidence.
Working conditions
Barristers usually work in offices called ‘chambers’, and advocates in groups known as ‘stables’, most of which are based in the Advocates’ Library in Edinburgh.
If you specialise in criminal law, you will spend more time in court than civil law specialists would.
Future prospects
Most barristers/advocates are self-employed and it can take around 5 years to establish a practice and become known.
After 15 years' experience you can apply to ‘take silk’ to become a Queen's Counsel. You could apply to become a judge in the higher courts.
Some people work in central or local government where there is a clear promotion structure.
Advantages/disadvantages
The work is varied and you will get satisfaction when you win a case.
Some cases may put you under pressure, particularly if they attract media attention.
You will sometimes work long hours to meet deadlines.
Money guide
Minimum salaries during pupillage are £12,000, but can range up to £45,000 in the first year of practice for some of the prestigious sets.
Qualified barristers can earn between £25,000 and £300,000. Earnings of between £30,000 and £90,000 can be expected in the Crown Prosecution Service and Government Legal Service in England and Wales.
As a trainee advocate in Scotland you may be unpaid for around 10 months. Qualified advocates can earn between £30,000 and £35,500 and around £105,000 as Advocate General in the Procurator Fiscal Service.
Many barristers in England and advocates in Scotland are self-employed. Earnings can reach up to £300,000, however this is entirely dependent on experience, location and reputation.
In private practice top earnings can be in excess of £1,000,000.
Further information
Content generously provided by Indigo Trotman.
