Thanks to all who have sent in questions for our #STGNursingCareers chat.
We're now going to kick off and answer some of the questions we've been sent, as well as some of the common questions around nursing at St George's.
Do tweet us with your questions over the next hour.
Our first q is from Amadosi on Facebook who asked about overseas recruitment...
We recruit globally! You need equivalent standard of training to be registered here, have Eng language skills & will need to pass certain tests to start work. More info: stgeorges.nhs.uk/work-with-us/y…
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received in your career?
Sharon our Head of Nursing Workforce said: "One of my ward sisters advised me to not feel pressure to decide about an area to specialise in. The benefit in nursing is you can gain experience in many fields."
Our next q is about the other career options available for nurses?
Options incl. specialist clinical practitioner roles, education, research, wider management eg operational management or other patient-facing areas such as theatres. See our jobs page or healthcareers.nhs.uk/nursing-careers
Now a q for our Chief Nurse @avey_bhatia around the qualities she looks for in senior nursing colleagues.
Avey said: "Compassionate leadership, resilience and relentless desire to improve services for our patients."
Thanks Avey! #STGNursingCareers
@avey_bhatia Now another q from Facebook. Cathy asked about HCA opportunities at George's.
We hold monthly HCA assessment days where candidates are invited to sit a Maths & Eng test. If successful they are then invited back for an interview. For more info: Jacqueline.dsilva@stgeorges.nhs.uk
@avey_bhatia A question we've been sent was around standard shifts and working hours and flexibility.
Most inpatient areas offer long days i.e. 0730-2000 and nights 1930-0800. However we are a flexible employer and will balance requests for flexible working with the needs of the service.
@avey_bhatia I can’t afford to study for a degree – is there any other way I can train to become a registered nurse?
Yes there is now a career path incl. training right through from HCA to Nursing Associate and Registered Nurse. More info from @NHS_HealthEdEng: healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/…
@avey_bhatia @NHS_HealthEdEng What personal and professional qualities do you look for when interviewing nurses?
We want nurses who are of course committed to providing #OutstandingCareEveryTime. Our values are – Excellent, Kind, Responsible and Respectful 👇
stgeorges.nhs.uk/about/living-o…
@avey_bhatia @NHS_HealthEdEng Does St George's offer rotation schemes?
After 6 months you can take part in rotation to experience different clinical areas. If your initial role isn’t quite what you wanted, we can find the environment that suits you and your interests best.
#STGNursingCareers
@avey_bhatia @NHS_HealthEdEng Do you have staff accommodation?
We have a limited amount of accommodation and our accommodation officer can help you with advice and options locally. We know London can be expensive & although we are in SW London you get inner supplement so salaries for B5 nurses are £29K-£36K
@avey_bhatia @NHS_HealthEdEng Another q for @avey_bhatia - what's the best thing about being Chief Nurse?
"Being able to influence at a high level to improve & make services safer for patients now & in the future and supporting nurses, midwives & AHPs for their development and making time for joy at work"
@avey_bhatia @NHS_HealthEdEng What support do you offer to newly qualified nurses, especially those who didn’t train at St George’s?
Our Band 5 NQN Development Pathway includes clinical skills, our unique post-graduate level Kingston University-run development course, leadership training 1/2
2/2 nurse-in-charge training, opportunities for post-graduate study, rotation options to different services and much more!
Do you offer funded research and post-graduate study opportunities?
We have a unique development programme run by Kingston University for Band 5 nurses after they have completed their six-month preceptorship which gives you 30 credits towards a post-grad qualification.
Our final question is on what final yr student nurses should do to get the job they want?
Attend our Open Days! The next one is Sat 25 Jan, and be interviewed for services and wards on the day. If successful we will give you a job offer on the day 👇
stgeorges.nhs.uk/work-with-us/y…
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