Chance to develop skills over range of services.

THE NHS Trust that manages community hospitals across East Devon is offering nurses a unique opportunity to develop their skills across its wide range of services.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust also manages community health and social care services in East, Mid and North Devon, as well as other community hospitals across the area and the acute North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

Under a new initiative, nurses joining the trust will have the option of working in an area of speciality or across its portfolio of services.

It is part of a summer recruitment campaign aimed at Band 5 nurses, locally and nationally.

The move comes just over a year after the trust’s services in the north of the county merged with those in the east which transferred from NHS Devon.

“With this integration of acute and community services, we are very different to other NHS Trusts and are now in a position to realise the potential this serves up for nursing staff,” said Bev Cox, assistant director of nursing who is leading the recruitment campaign.

“We can offer a wide range of opportunities and a strong commitment to continued development.

“With a highly-skilled and flexible workforce, we can ensure patients continue to receive high-quality care.”

The trust is on the hunt for experienced Band 5 nurses seeking a new challenge, those looking to return to practice and students due to qualify in the autumn of 2012.

Nurses interested in joining are being invited to one of two open days – at Honiton Hospital on Saturday, July 7.

Candidates can meet representatives from a variety of nursing teams, learn about the development opportunities on offer, have a tour of the hospital and potentially have an interview.

At each event, candidates can attend either a morning session (9.30am start) or an afternoon session (1pm start).

Trust staff will also be attending recruitment events across the country, including the Royal College of Nursing jobs fair in London in September.Mrs Cox said: “We want to put Devon on the map as a great place for nurses to work, and this is an exciting time to join us because we are set to become a Foundation Trust next year.”

For more information, visit the Trust website at www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk.

Alternatively, call Marion Young (community) on 01392 356907 or Janine Royle (acute) on 01271 314054.