Cambridge University Hospitals and Royal Papworth NHS Foundation Trusts are again teaming up to address the national nursing shortage.
The Trusts, which are keen to recruit and develop their own talent, are holding an open day for would-be nurses, nurses, midwives and support staff between 9am and 2pm on Saturday 15 February – marking International Year of the Nurse and Midwife.
Nurses at CUH, which includes Addenbrooke’s and The Rosie, work in specialisms including paediatrics, emergency care, critical care, medical, surgical, neuro, oncology, midwifery and research.
Support staff include healthcare support workers, maternity care assistants, physician’s assistants and theatre support workers, many who go on to become nurse associates or join the Trust’s nursing apprenticeship programme, meaning they can earn while they learn and have tuition paid.
Nurses and support staff at Royal Papworth work for the UK’s leading heart and lung hospital, treating more than 100,000 patients each year. It is the largest heart and lung transplant centre in the UK and is the only hospital in the country providing certain specialist cardiothoracic services. Clinical staff in the new hospital work across six theatres, six catheter laboratories, four ward floors and a 46-bed critical care area.
Visitors are invited to the Deakin Centre in Richard Howe Way, near Addenbrooke’s main car park, where there will be exhibitions, talks, tours and activities for the family, including a scavenger hunt. Visitors can find out about volunteering abroad with Global Health Partners, look through hospital nursing archives on or even have a go at taking a ‘patient’s’ blood.
Signs will direct visitors to additional activities at the new Royal Papworth Hospital, which is just a short walk away through the newly created green and the gardens.
There will be a chance to see inside one of the UK’s newest hospitals, meet the wide range of nursing teams who work there and see some of the equipment used in a world-class heart and lung hospital. Visitors could even be interviewed for a job on the day and leave with an offer.
This will be our biggest and best open day yet and is an opportunity for people from any background – including school leavers - to turn up without appointment to get a greater insight into the many roles and responsibilities here. We would be delighted to hear from all nurses, experienced newly qualified and those who may be interested in returning to practice.
CUH chief nurse, Lorraine Szeremeta
Whether you are a registered nurse, still studying your nursing degree or still at school and are interested in a career in nursing, our doors will be open so please do come and visit.
Josie Rudman, Chief Nurse at Royal Papworth
You can talk first hand to new and experienced nurses about why this is such a rewarding career and inspiring place to work. We will be holding interviews on the day so you could even walk in and leave with a job offer.
Anyone who wants to learn more should visit the hospitals’ career pages at Open Days & Recruitment Events and Royal Papworth Hospital Vacancies (opens in a new tab)