Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is taking more action to address the national nursing shortage – and new neighbour the Royal Papworth Hospital is joining in.
Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie maternity hospitals are planning to hold the second open day since January for would-be nurses, midwives and Healthcare Support Workers.
The Department of Health has pledged up to £100 million towards a new children’s hospital for the east of England region, to be built adjacent to the Rosie, presenting even more opportunities to develop careers.
Organisers say the open day is going to be bigger than before and, for the first time, it is holding job interviews with the chance for visitors to walk off with an offer at the end of the day.
Families are being invited to get involved with the open day which takes place at the Deakin Centre near the main car park between 9am and 2pm on Saturday 22 June 2019.
There will also be the chance to meet the hospital’s PAT dogs, take a tour of key hospital areas, get involved with simulation exercises, and find out what happens when a critically ill patient arrives at A&E.
CUH nurses work in specialisms including paediatrics, emergency care, critical care, medical, surgical, neuro, oncology, midwifery and research. The Trust is one of only a few that runs its own nurse apprenticeship schemes, meaning students can earn while they learn and have their tuition fees paid.
Support staff include healthcare support workers, maternity care assistants and theatre support workers, some of whom go on to take nurse apprenticeships.
Visitors can also visit neighbouring Royal Papworth Hospital to explore opportunities in nursing and Healthcare Support Workers, as well as Allied Health Professionals. Interviews will be available on the day for a wide range of opportunities in the new, state-of-the-art hospital. Visitors can also talk to the team about new nursing apprenticeship opportunities that will shortly become available.
CUH chief nurse, Lorraine Szeremeta, said: “This is a day where would-be employees from any background – including school leavers - can turn up without appointment to get a greater insight into the many roles and responsibilities within the nursing and midwifery professions. We also want to hear from qualified and newly qualified nurses.
“There are work opportunities available including full-time, part-time, flexible Bank work – which is temporary work – and gap year opportunities. For the first time we are holding interviews on the day, meaning some people could actually leave with a job offer.”
Anyone who wants to learn more should visit the hospitals’ career pages at https://www.careers.cuh.nhs.uk and www.royalpapworth.nhs.uk/working-us.
