#Nursing #Hierarchy (UK)
Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Nursing Assistant
Role: Provides direct care and support to patients under the supervision of registered nurses.
Tasks: Bathing, dressing, assisting with mobility, helping with feeding, and monitoring vital signs.
Staff Nurse (RN)
Role: A registered nurse responsible for providing direct care to patients.
Tasks: Administering medications, wound care, monitoring patient progress, and liaising with doctors.
Senior Nurse / Charge Nurse / Team Leader
Role: Oversee a team of nurses on a ward or unit, ensuring efficient and safe patient care.
Tasks: Supervision of staff, managing patient care, ensuring safety protocols are followed, addressing patient issues, and liaising with management.
Sister / Charge Nurse
Role: Typically seen in larger wards or departments; acts as a senior nurse and takes charge of the clinical and operational management of the team.
Tasks: Supervising staff, managing patient care, handling complex situations, and conducting audits and training.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Role: A nurse with advanced expertise in a specific area of healthcare, such as oncology, palliative care, or tissue viability.
Tasks: Providing specialized care, advising other nurses, and developing care plans for complex cases.
Ward Manager / Clinical Nurse Manager
Role: Responsible for the overall management of a ward or department.
Tasks: Staffing, budgets, patient care coordination, ensuring clinical standards are met, and addressing complaints or concerns.
Nurse Consultant
Role: Highly experienced nurses with advanced qualifications in a specialist area.
Tasks: Providing leadership in clinical practice, advising on policy, and contributing to research and education.
Director of Nursing
Role: The senior leadership role in nursing within a hospital or healthcare organization.
Tasks: Responsible for the nursing strategy, patient care standards, and overseeing nursing practice across the organization.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Line Manager: The immediate supervisor (usually a Senior Nurse or Charge Nurse) to whom you report directly for support and guidance.
Ward Manager: Oversees the operational management of the entire ward/unit.
Clinical Nurse Manager: Oversees the clinical care within specific departments or wards.
Healthcare Assistant (HCA) / Nursing Assistant
Role: Provides direct care and support to patients under the supervision of registered nurses.
Tasks: Bathing, dressing, assisting with mobility, helping with feeding, and monitoring vital signs.
Staff Nurse (RN)
Role: A registered nurse responsible for providing direct care to patients.
Tasks: Administering medications, wound care, monitoring patient progress, and liaising with doctors.
Senior Nurse / Charge Nurse / Team Leader
Role: Oversee a team of nurses on a ward or unit, ensuring efficient and safe patient care.
Tasks: Supervision of staff, managing patient care, ensuring safety protocols are followed, addressing patient issues, and liaising with management.
Sister / Charge Nurse
Role: Typically seen in larger wards or departments; acts as a senior nurse and takes charge of the clinical and operational management of the team.
Tasks: Supervising staff, managing patient care, handling complex situations, and conducting audits and training.
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Role: A nurse with advanced expertise in a specific area of healthcare, such as oncology, palliative care, or tissue viability.
Tasks: Providing specialized care, advising other nurses, and developing care plans for complex cases.
Ward Manager / Clinical Nurse Manager
Role: Responsible for the overall management of a ward or department.
Tasks: Staffing, budgets, patient care coordination, ensuring clinical standards are met, and addressing complaints or concerns.
Nurse Consultant
Role: Highly experienced nurses with advanced qualifications in a specialist area.
Tasks: Providing leadership in clinical practice, advising on policy, and contributing to research and education.
Director of Nursing
Role: The senior leadership role in nursing within a hospital or healthcare organization.
Tasks: Responsible for the nursing strategy, patient care standards, and overseeing nursing practice across the organization.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Line Manager: The immediate supervisor (usually a Senior Nurse or Charge Nurse) to whom you report directly for support and guidance.
Ward Manager: Oversees the operational management of the entire ward/unit.
Clinical Nurse Manager: Oversees the clinical care within specific departments or wards.