Community nurses (also known as district or community staff nurses) support patients outside hospital settings. This includes visiting people at home, running community clinics, and working alongside GPs and allied health professionals.

They care for people with long-term health issues by providing wound care and giving medication. They also help patients manage recovery or comfort needs at home. Just as importantly, they educate and support families and communities in preventive health.

Ben says: “Community nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system by bringing services to the heart of the community. 

From supporting individuals in their homes to educating on public health issues, community nurses make healthcare accessible, equitable, and personal.”

For a deeper look at the role, check the NHS Careers page on community nursing.

Complete an NMC-Approved Nursing Degree

To become a community nurse, you need a nursing degree. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) approved nursing degree, usually specialising in adult nursing. These courses last three years and include community placements. Check the NMC list of approved programs to start.

Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council 

Once qualified, register with the NMC. You are unable to legally work as a nurse in the UK without it.

Gain Post-Registration Experience

Many community roles prefer nurses with experience in hospitals. A year on a ward helps you build confidence and make decisions. This is important for working alone in the community.

Apply for Community Nursing Roles

You can gain experience with a variety of community nursing jobs through agencies like Your World Nursing.

Locum work is a popular route for qualified community nurses. You can take on short or long-term assignments with flexible schedules, higher pay rates, and varied clinical experiences. Ideal for higher control over your work-life balance, or exploring different NHS trusts and settings.

Ben Higgins shares a few key reasons why community nursing is such a meaningful and rewarding path:

“Empowering Communities: You’re not just treating individuals, you’re helping entire communities thrive through education, advocacy, and prevention.

Work-Life Balance: Many community nursing locum jobs let you choose your hours. This helps you balance your work and personal life.

Every day brings unique challenges. You manage chronic conditions in patients and deal with public health crises. This keeps your work dynamic and fulfilling.

Building Relationships: As a community nurse, you create strong bonds with your patients and their families. You earn their trust and become an important part of their lives."

If you want to progress beyond a Band 5 community nurse, you will need additional qualifications. To be a district nurse, you need to complete a Specialist Practitioner Qualification (SPQ) in District Nursing. We classify these jobs as Band 6 or 7. 

This is usually employer-funded, and includes both academic study and supervised clinical practice. 

Whilst agencies such as Your World Nursing could help you with gaining varied experience, they would not be able to fund your SPQ. This would have to be completed with a permanent employer or NHS Trust. 

Experienced community nurses can also take the V300 Non-Medical Prescribing course. This allows them to prescribe medications independently. This skill proves valuable in community settings where people often need to make quick decisions.

Information about these qualifications is available through the Royal College of Nursing.

Community nursing offers a wide range of career progression opportunities. As you gain experience, you can advance to a Band 6 or 7 position as a District Nurse. In this role, you will manage a team and coordinate complex care plans.

With more training, you can become an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP). You can specialise in wound care, diabetes management, or palliative care.

Other progression options include working as a Health Visitor, School Nurse, or moving into leadership, education, or research roles. If flexibility matters to you, you can keep working as a locum in advanced roles. Many locum community nurses switch between trusts and take on leadership positions.

A career in community nursing provides flexibility and job satisfaction. It gives you a chance to make a real difference in patients' lives while being able to choose a permanent job or enjoy the flexibility of locum work. With the right qualifications and experience, both paths are open to you.

Begin by looking into NMC-approved nursing degrees and gaining some hands-on experience. Learn more about full-time and locum jobs on trusted sites like Your World Nursing. Your career in community nursing could be just around the corner.