It may be a long-cherished ambition, or the result of an unexpected change in your career plans. You may just have left school, or you may be a mature applicant. There are a variety of reasons that bring applicants to nursing - a diverse profession with hundreds of possible career outcomes.

This article gives details and contact points for entering nurse and midwifery training in the UK. It does not cover returning to the nursing profession (see Returning to Healthcare) or admission to the UK nursing profession by qualified overseas nurses. The information given in this article is accurate as at March 2001.

Nursing is a profession with a high degree of technical and academic skill, as well as the need for a commitment to practical work. This article gives details of the skills and qualifications you will need.

Whatever your route into nursing, you will need to be aged at least 17 years and 6 months on the day your course starts. You must be at least 16 when you apply. There is no upper age limit.

Male and female candidates are, of course, equally welcome: the number of male nurses is continuing to rise.

There are two basic routes into nursing:

a) Diploma Courses (Diploma of Higher Education - Nursing). These are three-year courses which are half theory and half supervised nursing practice. A shorter two-year course is available in some locations for those with a health-related degree.

To enter a diploma course you will need at least 5 GCSEs, Grade C or better. Vocational qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 in health and social care are also accepted. However, if you don't have formal qualifications and are a mature student, you can attend an Adult Access to Higher Education course at a local college or sit a special written test - the DC test - for potential entrants.

b) Degree Courses (BA Hones, BN Hons or Bsc in Nursing Studies). These are three or four-year courses at universities or colleges of Higher Education. They are also half theory and half practical work.

To enter a degree course you will need at least two 'A' levels or equivalent. Many courses also accept Access to Higher Education courses for mature students.

These are the basic requirements. You should contact your chosen educational institution to check local variations. (see Contacts)

Each different path of entry to nursing has different arrangements.

For Diploma courses, all students receive a non-means tested bursary of £4,800 per year. Additional allowances may be payable to you if you are over 26 years when your course begins, or if you are a single parent or have adult dependants. Your course fees will be paid in full by the NHS.

For Degree courses, students may receive a mean-tested Bursary and a student loan. The rules for eligibility are complicated, and you should check with the NHS Student Grants Unit and the Department of Health (see Contacts page) exactly what you may be eligible for. Your course fees should be paid in full by the NHS, unless you are a non-EU national and usually live outside the UK. Your chosen university's Admissions Office will be able to assist you with details.

Existing NHS staff can apply to be seconded to nursing courses, and you may be able to keep your NHS salary whilst you are studying. Ask your local manager or Personnel manager for details.

NHS starting salaries once qualified will exceed £15,000 for 2001, more if you work in London.

The NHS offers a range of other employment benefits: a 37.5 hour week is standard for full-time working, but many other part-time or flexible options exist to suit personal circumstances. Shift working is a feature of many nursing jobs.

NHS holidays are 25 working days a year, plus public holidays. There are full pension and other local benefits.

Nurses working outside the NHS will find that each employer sets their own salaries and benefit levels.

You will need to choose your specialist branch of nursing after you have completed your first year's Common Foundation Programme. There are four main branches of nursing:

• Adult nursing
• Children's nursing
• Mental Health nursing
• Learning Disability nursing

If you wish to become a midwife (this profession is equally open to men and women) you will need to either:

First qualify as a Registered Nurse in Adult Nursing then take a further 78-week programme in midwifery, or;

Take a three-year specialist diploma or degree in midwifery, without a nursing qualification.

You may hear of a 'new model' of nurse training being undertaken in some colleges and universities for nurse training. This model will gradually be adopted across the UK and, in summary, will allow you to:

• step on and step off your training at given points . This means that if you have successfully completed the first year of your programme, you can come back in later years and start off from the point you left. This may be helpful to students who need time off for family or financial reasons.

• claim and gain credits towards a qualification based on prior learning, for example if you have an NVQ 3 in health or social care or previous health work experience.

There are a variety of useful places you can learn further information about getting into nursing.

Main sources of information are:

NHS Careers: Telephone 0845 60 60 655; Fax 0117 921 9564 E-mail: advice@nhscareers.nhs.com Website: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk"

NHS in Wales: Telephone 0129 202 614000; Fax 0129 292 61499 E-Mail: info@wnb.org.uk Website: www.wnb.org.uk

NHS in Scotland: Telephone 0131 225 2096; Fax 0131 226 2492 E-mail: careers@nbs.org.uk Website: www.nbs.org.uk

For financial assistance, contact

NHS Student Grants Unit,
Room 212C, Government Buildings,
Norcross, Blackpool FY5 3TA.

An information leaflet, 'Financial Help for Health Care Students' is available from the Department of Health via e-mail on doh@prologistics.co.uk

For details about work or student visas if you are from outside the EU, contact your local British Mission or write to:

The Immigration and Nationality Directorate
The Home Office
Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon CR9 2BY

You can get more information on many other UK government issues by contacting www.open.gov.uk