Nursing in Wakefield: studying, working and living guide
Find out about nursing in Wakefield - where nurses can find jobs, the hospitals they might work in, colleges & universities to study in, plus living information.
Wakefield is a cathedral city in West Yorkshire located on the River Calder and is known for its mining heritage and growing rhubarb – once part of a Yorkshire triangle that produced 90% of the world’s production.
Situated in the north of England, it’s well located and connected, allowing you to get to a wide range of other cities and counties by road or train.
From cost of living and travel through to culture and nightlife, this is an end-to guide for nurses interested in studying or working in Wakefield.
Where do nurses work in Wakefield?
There are is a variety of employers in Wakefield, from GP practices and NHS hospiatls through to private clinics.
Some examples of employers are:
Pinderfields Hospital
Pinderfields A and E
Fieldhead Hospital (Psychiatric)
Newton Lodge Fieldhead Hospital (mental health and disability)
Wakefield also has many private hospitals and care homes throughout which specialise in support for minor and major treatments as well as treatment for all adults and children. They frequently look for nurses of every kind.
As with most of the UK, finding employment as a qualified nurse is unlikely to be difficult.
Where do aspiring nurses study in Wakefield?
The main university In Wakefield for anyone wanting to become a nurse is the University Centre at Wakefield College.
The University Centre at Wakefield College campus is in the city centre. Start dates are available in September.
Students from Wakefield can also study at the University of Leeds which is only a 30-minute drive from Wakefield.
Find our nursing university guide here.
The average monthly rental cost in Wakefield is also lower than major nearby cities like Leeds and Manchester, which also makes it attractive for aspiring student nurses.
Where do nurses live in Wakefield?
Nurses in Wakefield live all over the city. Wakefield offers good transport links and is always popular with students.
The most popular locations in Wakefield for nurses include:
Wakefield city centre
Popular with nurses due to it being close to all amenities
Stanley
A village 2.5 miles away from Wakefield with lots of local pubs and amenities. Also a great area for families to live in
Walton
A small village 3.5 miles aways from Wakefield
Outwood
Has great connections for nurses who need to travel into Wakefield, Leeds, and Sheffield
What are the living costs for nurses in Wakefield?
Here is a general guide to some of the different costs of living in the city:
The average price for a home in Wakefield is currently £190,000 - far lower than the national average of £293,000.
The average rental price for a property in Wakefield is £800 per month. But if you are looking to rent a room in a shared house, the average cost is just under £500.
Council tax costs vary a lot across the city. But most people across Wakefield are in a Band B property or similar, which means paying £1,438 a year. This works out to £120 per month.
Other bills like shopping and utilities are similar to the rest of the UK but eating out and entertainment compare very well.
Overall, Wakefield is a bit more affordable than other UK cities.
Is travel easy in Wakefield?
Wakefield has lots of transport links across the city and to the rest of the UK.
There are many motorways which pass close to Wakefield, including the transpennine M62 with links to Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and the M1. Wakefield is just under a 4-hour drive from London.
Wakefield is 2 hours by train from London, or a 30-minute train journey from major cities like Leeds and Bradford.
There are also several airports within 2 hours of Wakefield.
What to do in Wakefield: walks, culture, nightlife and eating out
Wakefield has plenty to offer in your free time, whatever your interests.
Culture and attractions
Wakefield Cathedral and Sandal Castle are beautiful places to visit with the family for their architecture and history. Nostell Priory and Parkland, Newmillerdam Country Park and Angler’s Country Park are also loved by locals and tourists alike.
For music, arts and culture, the Theatre Royal Wakefield and Wakefield Cathedral have frequent music performances and shows.
Meanwhile, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is an exceptional outdoor art gallery and an international centre for modern and contemporary sculptures. There is also the Hepworth Gallery, opened in 2011, which takes its name from Wakefield born sculptor Barbara Hepworth.
Wakefield Association Football Club play their matches at Millennium stadium, but the city is more known for its Super League rugby league side Wakefield Trinity.
Nightlife and eating out
Wakefield has many options for nightlife ,bars, clubs, and restaurants. There is something for everyone in Wakefield.
Highlights include:
Harry’s Bar - known for its live music nights and wide range of drinks
Prego Pizzeria - all about fresh ingredients and freshly cooked Italian food
The Black Horse - popular for great drinks, food and live sport
Corarima - offers vegan and gluten free food, and number one on TripAdvisor in Wakefield
This a just a preview of what Wakefield has to offer, with many more things to do and venues to be discovered.
What are the school options in Wakefield?
If you are also thinking about where you might need to send your children to school, Wakefield offers a range of options.
Wakefield has 117 primary schools and 34 secondary schools, in addition to 7 private independent schools and 3 grammar schools.
Ofsted ratings are good overall, and there are definitely options to suit all kinds of educational needs.
Schools are also well spread throughout the area, so you’re likely to have a short walk.
Population and demographics in Wakefield
Here are some of the stand-out population and demographic facts in Wakefield.
Wakefield has a population of 333,000
Its population density is 3,300 people per square kilometre - making it one of the more densely populated cities in the country
The majority of people in Wakefield are Christians, at 78%
3.9% of Wakefield’s population is unemployed - which is the slightly lower than the national average
In summary: is Wakefield a good place to be a nurse?
Wakefield is a solid choice for a student or experienced nurse. There are lots of things to do in Wakefield whether you are a student or an experienced nursing professional.
Travel is easy, and there is plenty of work on offer. You can easily reach other towns and cities by bus, car, or train. And best of all, living costs are lower than the national average.
Nurses earn, on average, just over £37,960 per year in Wakefield. So, your salary as a registered nurse goes much further here.
Here are a couple of examples:
As a Newly Registered Nurse on an NHS Band 5 salary, if you rented a house, you would still have more lots of money left over every month after all bills and expenses
As a Band 6 Nurse, you would easily be able to borrow enough money to buy a joint mortgage for an average-priced flat in Wakefield. Potentially, you could actually afford a property alone
In short, it’s a good place to relocate, especially if you’re conscious of making your money go further.
