RGN (Registered Nurse) Job Profile

RGN (Registered Nurse) Job Profile

There are over 600,000 adult nurses working in the UK, and the demand for qualified nurses continues to rise. Due to an ageing population, more people are requiring medical care than ever before. The nursing workforce continues to overcome challenges, despite factors such as delays to legislation changes and Brexit at play. At Mayday Healthcare, we’ve been working with nurses and healthcare providers for over 17 years, and we’ve detailed below some of the key things to know and understand. 

 

How do I get a Registered Adult Nurse/RGN Job?

In order to practice as a registered nurse, also known as an adult nurse or RGN, you must have a degree in nursing. In the UK, nursing is in fact the most employable type of degree. Each university has different entry requirements but you will need around 5 GCSEs and 2 A Levels (or equivalent). In addition to this, nurses need to register with the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery council).

 

Adult Nurse/RGN jobs Description

A Registered nurse job (or RGN job) is both varied and complex, and cannot truly be defined by a job description. Your RGN job may differ depending on the environment you’re working in, whether you’re in a clinical setting on a hospital ward, or out in the community. 

 

Typically, a registered nurse/RGN job will involve some or all of the following responsibilities;

• Patient Assessment:
  • Measure and document vital statistics.
  • Carry out physical examinations to evaluate patient well-being.
  • Collate patient health histories.
  •  
• Planning and Coordination of Care:
  • Formulate nursing care strategies based on patient assessments.
  • Rank patient needs and allocate tasks appropriately.

• Implementation of Care:
  • Dispense medications as ordered by doctors.
  • Execute therapeutic procedures.
  • Assist with surgical or other clinical procedures when required.
  • Oversee and adjust specialist equipment, such as IV drips or respiratory machines.
  • Educate patients on their conditions and guide them in self-management techniques.

• Monitoring:
  • Consistently review patients' reactions to treatments.
  • Amend care strategies based on evolving conditions or feedback.

• Communication:
  • Collaborate with GPs, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to guarantee all-encompassing patient care.
  • Liaise with patients and their families about their health, treatment plans, and recovery processes.
  • Log patient care details, alterations in health, and any pertinent details in patient files.

• Supervision:
  • Guide and manage other nursing personnel, such as nursing assistants or auxiliary nurses.
  • Offer training and mentorship to budding nurses or nursing undergraduates.

• Advocacy:
  • Champion patients' rights and requirements.
  • Serve as a bridge between patients and other medical practitioners.

• Education:
  • Keep abreast of the latest nursing practices through ongoing learning.
  • Attend workshops, seminars, and other educational activities to hone skills.

• Safety and Compliance:
  • Ensure care adheres to set protocols and safety standards.
  • Remain compliant with local, national, and NHS regulations related to nursing care.

• Emergency Response:
  • Be at the forefront during emergencies and urgent situations.
  • Deliver immediate treatments or interventions when necessary.

• Health Promotion:
  • Instruct patients about preventive healthcare practices and foster overall health.

• Ethical Considerations:
  • Respect patient confidentiality.
  • Deliver care impartially and without bias.
  • Uphold the ethical standards of the nursing profession in the UK.

• Routine Duties:
  • Aid patients with day-to-day activities, such as bathing or feeding if required.
  • Clean and maintain clinical equipment.

• Specialised Care:
  • Depending on one's area of expertise, duties might include specific care like wound management, neonatal attention, surgical support, or cancer care.

 

Where can my Registered Adult Nurse/RGN job take me?

There are a range of jobs available for qualified registered nurses in the UK, both in the NHS and private organisations. As a registered nurse, you can develop expertise in an area of your choosing. Some of the most common roles include;

Registered Nurses: A&E Nurse Job

Working in an Accident & Emergency setting means A&E nurse jobs can be both fast paced and high pressure. Primary care means that no two days are the same. A&E nurses collaborate with a range of other medical staff, and be confident in a constantly changing environment.

Registered Nurses: Acute Care Nurse Job

Nursing in an acute setting usually comes after primary care (such as A&E) and involves dealing with patients with a variety of conditions and symptoms that are serious but short term. Acute care nurse responsibilities include monitoring patients, administering medication and conducting assessments.

Registered Nurses: Theatre Nurse Job

Theatre Nurses are involved when patients undergo surgery, from planning through to recovery. Also known as perioperative care, this may include support the anaesthetists, arranging surgical instruments and monitoring patient conditions.

Registered Nurses: ICU Nurse Job

Delivering care to patients in Intensive Care Units or Intensive Therapy Units, ICU nurses closely monitor patients condition, manage medication and treatments, and collaborate with other team members. You may need to communicate care plans to patients and their families.

Registered Nurses: District Nurse/Community Nurse Job

Nursing out in the community is a drastically different setting to working in a hospital environment. District nurse jobs and community nurse jobs treat patients in their own homes, as well as health centres or other community settings. 

 

How much do Registered Nurses Get Paid?

Within the NHS, pay structure is based on a “banding” system. Bandings for qualified nurses start at Band 5, so newly qualified nurses will fall into this band.

Band 5 Registered Nurse/RGN Pay Rates

• 1 - 2 years experience   £24,907
• 2 - 4 years experience £26,970
• 4 - 5 years experience £27,416
• 6 - 7 years experience £30,615

Band 6 Registered Nurse/RGN Pay Rates

• 1 - 2 years experience £31,365
• 2 - 4 years experience £33,176
• 4 - 5 years experience £33,779
• 6 - 7 years experience £37,980

Nurses working in London will receive a “London weighting” to cover the cost of living in the capital, for either the inner, outer or fringe of the city. 

Private nurse pay rates are unregulated, so they can vary depending on the role and organisation, however typically private nurse salaries are in line with NHS bandings, or slightly higher. It’s worth noting that alongside pay rates not being regulated, there are no benefit guidelines for private nursing, so often benefits packages for private nursing jobs do not rival those offered by the NHS.

For more information on nurse pay and nursing salaries, visit our Registered Nurse Salary and Pay Rate Guide here.

 

What type of Registered Nurse/RGN jobs do Mayday Healthcare recruit for?

We recruit for a range of Registered Adult Nurse/RGN jobs, based across the UK and in a range of different clinical settings. Many of our roles are hospital or ward based, and we recruit for Nurses throughout the country. 

You can search our nurse jobs on our job board, or click on a link below:

• Registered Nurse Jobs (RGN Jobs)
• Band 5 Nurse Jobs
• Band 6 Nurse Jobs

In addition to RGN jobs, we’re looking for a Brand Ambassador to join our agency nurse workforce and help us improve the way we work. Find out more here.

For any further information about where your nursing career can take you, or to find out more, contact a member of our team today via our quick register form.