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District nurse

Alternative titles for this job include

District nurses care for people outside of hospital in patients' homes, GP surgeries and residential care homes.

Average salary (a year)

£37,000 Starter

to

£53,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become District nurse

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or working towards this role. 

Apprenticeship

You might be able to do a district nurse degree apprenticeship.

You can train with the NHS or a private provider of healthcare services. 

Entry requirements

To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:

  • to be a registered nurse

More Information

Work

You can apply for training if you're a registered nurse with 1 or 2 years' experience in any branch of nursing.

You'll complete a course in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - District Nursing, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Your training will last 1 to 2 years and include practical community placements.

You could contact your local health trust or your employer about student training sponsorship opportunities.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You'll be expected to understand how the NHS values apply in your work when applying for a course or apprenticeship.

Further information

You can get more advice about how to become a district nurse from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of biology
  • active listening skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role you could:

  • give drugs and injections and treat wounds
  • check breathing and take temperatures and blood pressures
  • help doctors with physical examinations and set up drips
  • monitor the quality of care a patient receives
  • give emotional support and advice to patients and their families
  • teach basic caring skills where needed

Working environment

You could work in the community or at a health centre.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and you'll travel often.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become a senior district nurse or a community matron
  • provide advanced care as a specialist community practitioner
  • move into general health service management or become head of community nursing
  • work in research, education or health promotion

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a District nurse right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Nursing

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Keighley

Access to Nursing – Online

  • Provider: BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 February 2025
  • Location: Not known
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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