A new website has been launched by the NHS to help shatter the misconceptions often associated with the nursing profession, and the career paths it can provide.

The Nursing Careers website provides detailed information about what to expect when choosing nursing as a career, such as the range of paths available. These can include roles in specialist areas - such as children, adults, mental health or learning disability - or nurse manager jobs, once experience has been built.

"The information on the website is designed to encourage well-informed and motivated job seekers to fill the wide variety of opportunities in the NHS, and to challenge any misconceptions about what a career in nursing is about," claims the director of NHS employers, Dean Royles.

"Nurses are a significant and crucial part of the NHS workforce, with a key role to play in the current reshaping of patient care," he adds on PublicService.co.uk.

Nursing is often associated with low pay, long hours and having to spend a lot of time just cleaning up after people. The reality is that nurses could earn up to £100,000 each year, and train up to consultant level, if desired. However a recent survey showed that only one in four students were aware of this.

"Nursing is a varied and incredibly rewarding profession. In addition, there are many opportunities to enhance your skills in specialist practice, research, management and education," claims the NHS' chief nursing officer.

This view is echoed by nursing professionals around the UK, including Dianne Swiers RN. Cited in Scarborough Evening News, Swiers says: "Over the past 25 years, I have been encouraged to widen my knowledge base. The opportunities to work in different ways and to learn have continually kept me interested."