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As you approach the end of your nurse training, you may be feeling a mix of anticipation, excitement, and nerves about what comes next.

This is the perfect time to start thinking about your first career move and the many opportunities ahead. Make sure you feel prepared and confident by exploring our helpful hints and tips to support you in becoming job ready.

Current landscape and recruitment challenges

Ongoing NHS financial pressures have led to recruitment freezes, reduced vacancies, and delays in recruitment processes across some healthcare employers, making it more challenging for newly qualified nurses to secure a job.

This can be especially disheartening at what should be an exciting point in your career. Despite strong demand for nurses overall, the current climate means increased competition for roles.

This means you may have to be more flexible, proactive, and resilient as you navigate the job market.

Be open minded and flexible with your job search

Always apply for your dream job or roles that really align with your strengths and interests. You are more likely to write a compelling application and sell yourself at interview when you are naturally drawn to a role or field, giving you an advantage over your peers.

However don't stop there. Being open鈥憁inded and willing to compromise in the current climate can significantly increase your chances of securing a first post. Remember that any role you secure will offer valuable experience and serve as a stepping stone towards your preferred area.

Be prepared to be flexible and think creatively, considering a wider range of roles and settings, whilst still reflecting on whether the environment feels right for you. This could include care homes, GP practices other independent health and social care providers, or specialties you hadn't originally prioritised.

Expand your job search radius

Geographical flexibility can also increase your chances of securing a role more quickly. If you are able, consider expanding your job search to neighbouring areas or regions where vacancies may be more available.

Be job ready

Below you can find proactive and practical tips to help you get job-ready as a student nurse, including preparing your CV, arranging informal visits, and planning your next steps into practice.

 

Don鈥檛 wait until you鈥檝e got a job application deadline. Prepare a draft CV in advance. This is especially important if you will be applying for jobs in the Independent Health and Social Care sector.

Employers may give a narrow window in which to apply, with some vacancies closing early if many applications are received. Such a deadline may fall within the same week as a busy placement or right before an essay due date. The more you can do in advance, the better.

See the RCN Careers advice on writing your first CV, including CV samples and CV templates.

Most NHS employers ask for a supporting statement rather than a CV. Other non-NHS employers may also use this format. Always check the application instructions.

There is a very specific technique for writing a successful supporting statement. Familiarising yourself with how to write a strong supporting statement early on will ensure you are better prepared when you start to apply for specific vacancies.

You can look at our sample supporting statements and watch our tutorial on writing supporting statements on the writing a job application page.

Try and arrange an informal visit before you apply for jobs. Not only can it make you stand out, but it's a perfect opportunity to get a real feel for the work culture and environment.

Prepare some questions to ask for when you do visit. You could ask people what they like about working there, or ask questions about your training and preceptorship.

See our page on Informal Visits for more information.

Always research potential employers. They’re often involved in specific projects, pilots, or new initiatives, and will have their own strategic priorities and goals. You can also study their organisational values. These give important insight into what they’re looking for in candidates and often underpin their recruitment scoring framework.

Discussing these during informal visits, applications, or interviews will reflect well on you and help you stand out.

RCN career coaching can support you in identifying your values, recognising your strengths, and reflecting on what matters to you as you begin your 汤头条污料 career.

If you’re unsure about your next steps, you may find it helpful to talk through your ideas and explore any challenges. See our page on career coaching for more information.

Employers may ask you about current healthcare policies and initiatives in interviews and expect you to be informed. For example, could you comfortably discuss the duty of candour, integrated care systems, the NHS long-term plan, or recent patient safety and workforce wellbeing priorities?

You might also be asked about digital health, sustainability in healthcare, or equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.

Use the RCN’s news and events, magazines, publications, campaigns and professional networks to help you keep up to date and in the loop.

If you're doing a degree route that involves a dissertation, you may want to think strategically about your topic choice. Selecting a topic relevant to your future career goals can give you a unique selling point. 

If you鈥檙e certain about the specialty you want to work in, choose a topic related to that area to deepen your knowledge and demonstrate genuine interest and commitment to impress employers. If you鈥檙e unsure, consider topics with broad relevance across healthcare, such as patient safety or communication which could still strengthen your application in any field.

The RCN ECN Network brings together new registrants and student nurses approaching graduation. The forum aims to support you for up to 5 years post NMC registration.

Social media can be a great way of keeping up with news and initiatives, networking, or finding jobs. It鈥檚 important however that your social media presence is professional and appropriate.

Double check all of your privacy settings and make sure that any photos, content, and views expressed are in line with the NMC code and local policies. It鈥檚 recommended that you run your name and any usernames through a search engine to check what comes up.

If you anticipate a delay of six months or more between completing your 汤头条污料 or midwifery programme and applying to the NMC register, be aware that you'll need to provide a further reference from a registered nurse or midwife (depending on your qualification).

See the NMC's page  for more details.