Why choose Edinburgh for your next nursing role?

Searching for the next move in your nursing career in Edinburgh? If you are already a registered nurse, or you’re just beginning the journey into your nursing career, Edinburgh hosts a wealth of opportunities for you.

From being able to specialise in a number of settings – including hospitals, GP surgeries, mental health facilities and more, to experiencing the wonders this city has to offer, our guide will help you discover all the routes to becoming a nurse in Edinburgh.

Becoming a nurse in Edinburgh

Education

To become a nurse, there are various qualifications you will need to obtain. In many cases, most countries also have a registering body you will need to join to become a fully qualified nurse. In Scotland, all nurses have to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

Degree

The most common route into nursing is by completing a degree. As an undergraduate, you’ll have the option of specialising in one of the four following nursing courses:

• Adult nursing
• Mental health nursing
• Disability nursing
• Children’s nursing

In order to enrol into a nursing degree course, universities will usually require three UK A-levels or a C3 in two higher papers and a D3 in four papers in the Irish Leaving Certificate. You must complete at least one laboratory science, maths and English.

You can study as a nurse in Edinburgh at the University of Edinburgh or Edinburgh Napier University.

RNDA

However, rather than completing a degree, an alternative route into nursing is by qualifying through Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeships (RDNA). This offers university studying on a part-time basis, whilst most of your nursing training will focus on practicing in placement settings.

Registering as a nurse in Edinburgh

Location

Nursing allows you the flexibility to choose where you would like to work, as each city has its own high demands for vacancies. However, there are numerous benefits of working as a nurse in Edinburgh:

• Rich history and culture – with a wealth of cultural at your doorstep, including Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, there’s plenty of ways to soak up Scottish history.
• Serene countryside – while the hustle and bustle of the city makes for an exciting, lively place to live, you can also easily escape to the countryside. Take a climb up to Arthur’s Seat to admire the views from the city below, or ascend Calton Hill to visit the National Monument.
• Literature galore – for those who are book fans, Edinburgh holds host to many libraries and coffee shops, perfect for immersing yourself in a good book. In fact, the ‘real-life’ Diagon Alley is located in the heart of Edinburgh – suggested to be where JK Rowling sought inspiration for the magical shopping district in Harry Potter. It’s rumoured she even used said coffee shops to begin writing the books!

Here at The Guild, our nursing agency in Edinburgh is looking for qualified nurses to fill our vacancies across the city. We’re looking to recruit nurses who have found their specialism background and have a couple of years’ experience working a nurse. With our competitive rates of pay and plentiful training opportunities, registering as a nurse with The Guild provides you access to a wealth of vacancies across Edinburgh. For more information, get in touch with a member of our helpful team.