The Trust has been running the successful ‘Get Into Nursing’ programme in conjunction with the University of Sunderland for several years. About 30 people have so far seized the important opportunity of work experience on adult wards at South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital. Some of them have gone on to pursue their career with the Trust after graduating.
The scheme is open to anyone who already meets the academic criteria for the three-year Adult Nursing Practice BSc (Hons) course at the university and who wants an initial taste of what providing care in hospital entails. Successful completion of the six-month’ paid placement as a full-time healthcare assistant paves the way for a place on the nursing degree at University.
Dennis Little, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Head of Workforce Development and Education, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for local people of all ages, who may be looking to change career, or start a career after school or college, to gain vital paid care experience in adult nursing in a hospital prior to their university application.
“The time that successful applicants spend working on the NHS frontline as part of our teams, will be an invaluable stepping stone to the nursing degree and a long, varied and fulfilling career – hopefully, with our own Trust. They will gain the opportunity to build skills in delivering compassionate care to patients for the first time, before commencing formal University studies.”
For more information about the ‘Get Into Nursing’ programme, telephone 0191 4041149 or email apprenticeships@stft.nhs.uk The closing date for applications Friday 28th of August.
