Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of a Nurse: A Guide for Student Nurses
Understanding the Roles and Responsibilities of a Nurse: A Guide for Student Nurses
As a student nurse stepping into the world of healthcare, you’re not just learning technical skills—you’re stepping into a profession defined by responsibility, trust, and care. At the heart of everything a nurse does lies the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code. But what does this really mean in practice?
🧭 What Are a Nurse’s Core Responsibilities?
The role of a nurse is both dynamic and multi-dimensional. It includes:
Delivering person-centred care
Advocating for patients
Communicating with compassion
Promoting health and preventing illness
Acting safely and professionally at all times
In every setting—from hospitals to community care—nurses are expected to apply evidence-based knowledge, uphold ethical standards, and ensure that patients’ dignity and rights are respected.
📜 The NMC Code: Your Professional Compass
The NMC Code (2018) is the professional standard for all nurses, midwives, and nursing associates in the UK. It is based on four central themes:
1. Prioritise People
Nurses must treat patients as individuals, respecting their dignity, listening to their concerns, and safeguarding vulnerable people.
2. Practise Effectively
This involves using the best available evidence, communicating clearly, keeping accurate records, and continuously updating your knowledge.
3. Preserve Safety
Nurses must recognise and manage risk, raise concerns when patient safety is threatened, and always act within their level of competence.
4. Promote Professionalism and Trust
Professionalism includes integrity, honesty, and respect. Nurses are public representatives of the profession and must uphold its reputation.
These principles are not optional—they are legal, ethical, and professional standards that every nurse must follow throughout their career.
🧠 Top tip: During placements or OSCE preparation, keep a copy of the NMC Code nearby and reflect on how your actions align with it.
🧑🎓 What This Means for You as a Student Nurse
Even before you’re registered, you’re expected to:
Be aware of and uphold the NMC Code in all clinical environments
Act within your scope of practice—never undertake procedures you haven’t been trained for
Always work under supervision and communicate honestly with patients and colleagues
Reflect on your actions using models like Gibbs or Rolfe to learn from experiences
✅ In Summary
Becoming a nurse means stepping into a role of trust and accountability. The NMC Code will guide your professional behaviour throughout your training and career. Learn it early, apply it often, and let it shape how you care.
📚 References
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018). The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates. https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/
Royal College of Nursing (2022). Your guide to becoming a nurse.
