Registered Nurse
A degree-qualified, NMC-registered nurse responsible for assessing, planning and delivering patient care. The foundation for most senior clinical careers.
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Strong on salary growth and AI resistance; held back by entry.
Can reach ~£84,000 via Clinical Director / Consultant-level Lead.
Large workforce (~186,449), shortage occupation; stable (+1% YoY).
Highly resistant to automation — hands-on clinical work.
Reasonable work–life balance; heavy shift work.
Demanding entry — high study load, moderate competition.
7 onward routes; limited flexible-working scope.
Career Score™ is CareRoute's own indicative rating from public NHS-style data — not an official NHS ranking. A composite of six factors; same inputs always give the same score.
What you'd do
- Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient care
- Administer medicines and treatments
- Lead and coordinate a team of support staff
- Communicate with patients, families and the wider team
Is this you?
Typical progression routes
Indicative routes from the career graph — not usage data.
Your salary roadmap
Indicative pay on the highest-reaching route, by year.
Skills & requirements
- Active NMC registration as a nurse
- Research methods + Good Clinical Practice training
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Honest, practical answers grounded in real NHS-style data — not a recruiter.
Guides & updates
We're writing in-depth nursing & care support guides — pay, entry routes and progression. In the meantime, explore the roles and career map above.
Questions, answered straight
Where to look next
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