Health visitor : Entry requirements

There is currently a shortage of NHS health visitors, particularly in some London boroughs. Increasing the number of health visitors has been made a priority, and the government has set a target of recruiting 4,200 by 2015 by direct recruitment as well as retraining others from related professions.

In order to become a health visitor, you must first be a qualified and registered nurse or midwife but there is no specific minimum period of post-registration service required before beginning training. For information on training in nursing or midwifery see adult nurse and midwife.  

Subsequent training as a health visitor involves taking approved post-registration training in specialist community public health nursing/health visiting at degree level. This usually takes one year full time or the equivalent part time. Courses may be completed in a shorter period where credit is given for prior learning or experience. Search for relevant courses at NHS Careers Health Visitor Course Finder .

Pre-entry experience that demonstrates a commitment to working in the community or is directly relevant to the work of a health visitor is useful. Experience of working with children, obstetrics, midwifery, paediatrics or community and health promotion is advantageous.

Most student health visitors are seconded onto a course by an employer, generally a local health authority, although a small number do fund themselves. Funding in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is slightly different with support coming through the Welsh Assembly, the local health board or the local health board trusts respectively. Further information about funding, secondments and sponsorship is available from The Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association (CPHVA)  or by visiting the websites of the local health authority. Competition for traineeships is high, so you may need to apply in more than one year to gain a place on a course.

Applicants for training programmes need to show evidence of the following:

• an interest in health and social issues and in developing programmes that will improve public health;
• an approachable personality and the ability to get on well with and gain the trust of people of all ages and backgrounds;
• excellent communication, questioning and listening skills as well as the ability to interpret body language and other non-verbal communication;
• interpersonal sensitivity, empathy, patience and tact;
• the ability to work independently and autonomously as well as in multidisciplinary teams;
• good time management, organisational skills and the ability to prioritise a varied workload;
• influencing skills and the ability to motivate people to make lifestyle changes;
• the emotional maturity to deal with potentially distressing issues and challenging situations;
• a willingness to take responsibility and to make appropriate professional judgements with confidence.

Before joining a trust of The National Health Service (NHS) , you will be required to undergo a series of pre-employment checks including occupational health and Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)  checks.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.