Former nurse attempts to find guards (8)
I believe the answer is:
sentries
'guards' is the definition.
(I know this)
'former nurse attempts' is the wordplay.
'former nurse' becomes 'SEN' (state registered nurse - former UK nurse title).
'attempts' becomes 'tries' ('try' can be a synonym of 'attempt').
'sen'+'tries'='SENTRIES'
'to find' is the link.
(Other definitions for sentries that I've seen before include "Lookouts, guards" , "Sentinels, watches" , "Soldiers on guard duty" , "It sneers at those on watch" , "Sentinels, guards" .)