Worker putting nail through tongue, perhaps nurse keeps confined (9)
I believe the answer is:
carpenter
'worker' is the definition.
(carpenter is a kind of worker)
'nurse keeps confined' is the wordplay.
'nurse' becomes 'carer' (a nurse cares for patients).
'keeps' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are kept inside).
'confined' becomes 'pent' (similar in meaning).
'carer' going around 'pent' is 'CARPENTER'.
'putting nail through tongue perhaps' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for carpenter that I've seen before include "Find fault with record" , "Craftsman" , "chips?" , "singer called Karen" , "He makes wooden objects and structures" .)