Practice Nurse

General practice nurses work in GP surgeries as part of the primary healthcare team, which might include doctors, pharmacists, dietitians, social prescribers, health and wellbeing coaches and other roles.

Practice nurses help plan and provide nursing care and treatment and health education to people of all ages.

They tend to be involved in most aspects of patient care including:

• obtaining blood samples
• heart monitoring (electrocardiograms or ECGs)
• minor and complex wound management including leg ulcers
• travel health advice and vaccinations
• child immunisations and advice
• family planning & women’s health including cervical smears
• men’s health screening
• sexual health services
• smoking cessation
• screening and helping patients to manage long term conditions

Practice nurses may also get involve in the direct supervision of healthcare assistants at the practice.