Trainee School Nurse Opportunity

(Annexe 21 applies over training year*).

One year training will be allocated to commence in either September 2024 or January 2025, facilitated by NHS Fife and Queen Margaret University (QMU), leading to a permanent Band 6 School Nurse post on successful completion.

This is an exciting opportunity for experienced nurses and midwives who are keen to pursue a career in school nursing and improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children, young people and their families. Successful applicants will commit to a permanent post that entails one-year of full-time study to undertake the Post Graduate Diploma: School Nursing (Person Centred Practice) (level 11) at QMU, Edinburgh, alongside practice placement in NHS Fife. On completion of the programme and registration on Level 3 of the NMC register, you will automatically progress to a Band 6 School Nurse.

An application is required via the NHS Scotland Jobtrain website

To Apply You Must

 Be an experienced nurse or midwife currently on the NMC register

 Be free to undertake full time study in either the September 2024 or January 2025 intake. This will be allocated to you if successful at interview.

 Be available for interview during the week of 8 July 2024

 Have the required academic credit rating/or evidence of recent study.

Standard Entry

If an applicant has obtained a relevant degree within the last 5 years at the time of applying, then this meets the academic criteria for Standard Entry to the programme

Non-standard Entry Options

 If an applicant has obtained a degree more than 5 years ago at the time of applying but has successfully completed further academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, then this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.

 If an applicant has no degree but has successfully completed other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.

 If an applicant has obtained a degree or other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, more than 10 years ago, then a discussion with the programme leader and health board recruiting manager is required prior to applying.

Stand Alone Module

If an applicant has no degree and has not completed any academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, they will be required to complete the 20 credit stand-alone module from the programme, ”Ethical Judgements and Decision Making”, the current cost of this module is £1090.

The supporting statement in part one of the application must include: your understanding of the School Nurse role and evidence of appropriate transferable skills, experience and supporting CPD activity, including leadership and caseload management plus your motivation and rationale for applying to become a school nurse and to study at master’s level.

 Please ensure that one of the two referees is your line manager

 Current academic status must be included in part 3 of the application to enable it to be assessed and progressed by QMU. This should include, for each qualification: the name of the academic qualification (do not include standard grade or Highers), the level of study e.g., Scottish level 9, 10 or 11 and the year the qualification was obtained. Any prior discussion and agreed outcome with QMU about academic credit rating must also be documented

 If called for interview, you will submit a 1500 word admissions essay to Queen Margaret University.

 If selected, you will be required to complete a short online application to QMU so that they can formally offer you a place on the academic programme.

 Trainees follow the University calendar for all holidays during the course and cannot take leave out with this. Normal NHS leave is suspended during training.

• Annexe 21 explanation: Trainees are paid a percentage of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate which is dependent on the duration of the training period (at least 75% of Band 6 point 8, no detriment applies) (see Terms and Conditions).
  
  

For further information contact Jennifer Grant SCPHN Practice Assessor and Honorary Lecturer (QMU): Jennifer.grant2@nhs.scot or Lynne Darling, Programme Lead:LDarling@qmu.ac.uk

NHS Scotland is reducing their full-time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay. This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff. Your offer/contract of employment will therefore reflect the new working hours. However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Hiring Manager.

A requirement of this post is to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme Prior to appointment.

NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.