We offer a range of services designed to:
Paul Gillard is the Careers Adviser linked to the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Paul is able to offer a range of careers support throughout your studies:
Stage 1:
Support with individual career queries at the annual Placement and Preceptorship Fair.
Stage 2:
Lecture input: Career planning and applications:
Stage 3:
Lecture input: Selling your skills at interview:
myCareer Digital Resources is the University of Plymouth’s online careers and employability portal through which you can access a wide range of interactive resources and e-learning tools.
Here you will find:
In line with the direction of travel towards more integrated, home and community-based services, opportunities are increasing for newly qualified nurses to enter the profession in a range of community settings. At the same time, acute hospital settings continue to offer many opportunities.
NHS jobs is the key website for vacancies across the NHS, including independent and private sector organisations delivering NHS services. Note that some providers do not always advertise on NHS jobs, so if you have a particular employer in mind you should monitor their website and / or follow them on social media to keep informed of vacancies.
The following websites also contain job listings for nurses:
When should I apply?
Job opportunities are advertised throughout the year, but some organisations target their recruitment at specific times to attract cohorts of newly qualified nurses. The periods April – June and October – December are often when large scale recruitment takes place, though this will vary across providers. It is useful to monitor the websites of larger employers at these times and keep an eye on the NHS jobs website.
Job vacancies have traditionally been aimed at stage 3 students, but some employers are starting to accept applications from students in stage 2.
As part of your programme, you will have the opportunity to attend lectures covering how to complete successful applications and interviews. These are delivered by Paul Gillard, the Careers Adviser linked to the School of Nursing and Midwifery. For more information see Careers Support in the Curriculum (above).
There is some useful guidance on completing applications and interviews on NHS jobs. In particular, the importance of providing examples of where you have demonstrated the criteria in the ‘person specification’ cannot be overstated.
Please also see the guidance from RCN on applications and preparing for interviews.
You can find more resources on CVs, application forms and interview skills on myCareer Digital Resources. These include:
The Careers Service is based at the Plymouth campus and is your one-stop-shop for careers information, advice and guidance support.
You don’t need an appointment, just drop in and speak to our employability assistants about the help you need.
You can also book an appointment to discuss your career plans in depth with a careers adviser.
If you are away from Plymouth, you can still access support by email, telephone or Skype.
Careers Service
Ground Floor, Roland Levinsky Building
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth PL4 8AA
Standard term-time opening times: Monday to Friday, 8:30–16:30