Nursing

Adult nursing is one of the most demanding and rewarding professions in the health service. It requires deep knowledge of human physiology and pathology, the ability to assess complex clinical situations quickly and accurately, and the interpersonal skills to support patients and families through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. Adult nurses work with people across the full age range, from young adults to the very elderly, and across settings from emergency departments to community care, managing conditions that may be acute, chronic, or terminal.

At Portsmouth this three-year full-time programme prepares you for registration as an adult nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will learn how the human body works in health and in illness, how to assess patients' needs, and how to plan and deliver appropriate care. The course includes a year abroad, offering you the opportunity to experience nursing in a different healthcare context and to broaden your understanding of how health services can be organised and delivered.

Throughout the programme you will be supported by registered nurses acting as mentors and practice supervisors, helping you develop the clinical competence and professional judgement that safe practice requires. The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

On qualification, adult nurses work in hospitals, community settings, care homes, GP practices, schools, and a wide range of other environments. Specialist pathways are available in areas such as critical care, oncology, mental health liaison, and infection control. Many nurses go on to advanced practice roles, clinical leadership, education, or postgraduate study, with options including nurse practitioner programmes and specialist clinical qualifications.

Nursing is a graduate profession with strong employment rates and genuine routes to progression.