Nursing Career in Surrey
Learn about nursing as a career in Surrey, including the different types of nursing roles, where nurses work, and how to take your next step into the profession.
Nursing is a trusted and rewarding career at the heart of health and social care. Nurses support people through some of the most important moments of their lives, from treatment and recovery to long-term care and wellbeing.
Across Surrey, nurses work in hospitals, community services, mental health teams and care settings, supporting individuals, families and local communities every day.
A career in nursing offers:
- The chance to make a real difference to people’s lives
- A respected and secure profession within healthcare
- Opportunities to work in a wide range of settings
- Clear routes for training, development and career progression
Whether you are starting your career, changing direction or returning to healthcare, nursing provides a meaningful path with strong support from NHS and health and social care employers across Surrey.
Surrey Talent Hub works in partnership with NHS trusts and local care providers to help people explore nursing careers and connect with opportunities across the county.
What You’ll Do as a Nurse
As a nurse, you will support people with their health, treatment and recovery, while working as part of a wider healthcare team.
Your responsibilities as a nurse may include:
- Assessing patients’ physical and mental health needs
- Planning and delivering care based on individual needs
- Administering medication and treatments safely
- Monitoring patients’ conditions and responding to changes
- Supporting patients with recovery, rehabilitation and long-term conditions
- Providing reassurance, information and emotional support to patients and families
- Working closely with doctors, healthcare support workers and other professionals
- Keeping accurate records to support safe and effective care
Nurses also play an important role in helping people understand their health, treatment options and how to manage their wellbeing.
What you do day to day may vary depending on your role and setting, such as working on a hospital ward, in the community or in mental health services, but the focus is always on delivering safe, compassionate and high-quality care.
Where You Can Work as a Nurse in Surrey
Healthcare Support Workers are needed in many different settings across Surrey. This means you can choose a setting that suits your interests, lifestyle and location.
Hospitals
Nurses work in NHS hospitals across Surrey, caring for patients in areas such as medical and surgical wards, emergency departments, theatres, maternity services and outpatient clinics.
Our partner organisations include:
- Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals
- Royal Surrey County Hospital
- Surrey and Sussex Hospital
Hospital nursing roles are available in locations including Guildford, Chertsey, Redhill, Epsom and surrounding areas.
Community Services
Community nurses support people in their own homes, GP practices and local clinics, helping them manage conditions and recover closer to home.
These roles are available across Surrey, including Woking, Epsom, Guildford, Dorking, Sunbury, Staines and nearyby communities, often through community provider such as CSH Surrey.
Mental Health Services
Mental health nurses support people with their mental wellbeing in inpatient units and community-based teams across Surrey.
This includes services provided by our partner organisation:
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP)
(serving areas like Redhill, Epsom, Chertsey and Guildford)
Hospices and Care Providers
Nurses in Surrey also work in hospices, residential care homes and specialist care services, supporting people with complex or end-of-life care needs.
Examples of our partner organisations include:
- Woking & Sam Beare Hospice (Local care providers and homecare agencies across Surrey)
- Acacia Homecare
Each setting offers a different experience, but all focus on providing safe, compassionate and high-quality care close to home.
Entry Requirements and Training to Become a Nurse
To work as a nurse in Surrey, you must complete approved training and be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). While nursing is a regulated profession, there are different routes into nursing depending on your background and experience.
Training Routes into Nursing
Most people become a registered nurse by completing one of the following:
- University nursing degree
A three-year degree in nursing, combining academic study with hands-on placements in healthcare settings across Surrey. - Nursing degree apprenticeship
A paid route that allows you to work while studying, gaining practical experience and completing your nursing qualification at the same time.
Both routes lead to NMC registration, which is required to practise as a nurse in the UK.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements can vary depending on the training route and education provider, but typically include:
- GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths
- A-levels, access course or equivalent qualifications (for degree routes)
- Relevant experience or employment in healthcare can be helpful but is not always required
- The right values, attitude and commitment to caring for others
Universities and employers look for people who are motivated, compassionate and able to learn in both academic and practical environments.
Support During Training
While training as a nurse in Surrey, you will receive:
- Supervised clinical placements in hospitals, community and mental health services
- Ongoing learning and assessment
- Support from experienced nurses and educators
- Opportunities to develop practical skills and confidence
Surrey Talent Hub works with NHS and health and social care partners across Surrey to help people understand their options and access information about nursing training and career pathways.
Working Life as a Nurse in Surrey
Working as a nurse is rewarding, hands-on, and varied. No two days are the same, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives every day.
A Typical Day
Depending on your role and setting, a nurse’s day may include:
- Assessing and monitoring patients’ health
- Administering medication and treatments
- Supporting patients with recovery, rehabilitation and daily needs
- Communicating with patients, families and healthcare teams
- Keeping accurate records to ensure safe care
- Moving between tasks and patients throughout the day
Whether you work in a hospital, community service, mental health team or care home, your focus is always on delivering safe, compassionate care.
Working Patterns
Nursing roles offer flexibility to suit different lifestyles:
- Full-time and part-time positions
- Day, evening, night and weekend shifts
- Opportunities for flexible or rotational schedules depending on the employer
Teamwork and Support
Nurses always work as part of a team. You will receive guidance and support from senior nurses, colleagues, and educators, and ongoing training ensures you can grow and develop in your role.
Across Surrey, nurses are valued members of the healthcare system, and there is always help available when needed.
Pay, Benefits and Career Progression
A career in nursing in Surrey is not only rewarding but also offers competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities to grow.
Pay
- NHS nurses are usually paid under the Agenda for Change pay bands:
- Band 5: Newly qualified registered nurses
- Pay increases with experience, additional responsibilities, and specialist roles
- Extra pay may be available for evenings, nights, weekends, or unsocial hours
- Pay may vary slightly depending on employer and setting
Benefits
Working as a nurse often includes:
- Paid annual leave
- Access to the NHS Pension Scheme (for NHS roles)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Opportunities to work in a supportive and collaborative team
- Job security and progression pathways
- Some non-NHS employers, such as care providers or hospices, may offer similar benefits
Career Progression
Nursing is a career with clear pathways to grow and specialise. Many nurses in Surrey move into roles such as:
- Senior Staff Nurse
- Specialist or Advanced Practice Nurse
- Ward Manager / Leadership Roles
- Maternity, Mental Health, Children’s or Community Nursing
- Therapy Support or Nursing Education roles
With the right training and experience, nurses can continue to develop professionally while making a lasting difference in health and social care.
Surrey Talent Hub works with NHS trusts and local care providers to support nurses in finding the right opportunities for growth and progression across Surrey.
Locations Across Surrey
Wherever you live in Surrey, there is likely a role near you.
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