Royal Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Acute Nurse

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Acute Nurse

Acute Nurses are on the front line, making a difference to our patients every day across a range of acute settings. There is no better place to start your nursing career than the Royal Devon.

We offer a safe and supportive environment for you to gain experience across a wide range of clinical areas. Our Preceptorship Programme has been developed to support you and to help you build confidence as you make the transition from student to newly registered practitioner.

As well as providing you with protected time to study, you will also be assigned a preceptor to help guide you as you develop. Your preceptorship portfolio will also count towards degree or master's credits if you wish to continue your education and we will provide you with career development support that will help you plan for the future.

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What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

What is it like to work at the Royal Devon?

The Royal Devon is a university hospital trust and in addition to the teaching opportunities that you would expect, there are educational programmes, specialist networks and lots of opportunities to advance your own learning.

For those joining us with a wealth of experience in your field, you’ll also hold great autonomy as a senior professional, imparting your knowledge and experience to the next generation of medical students. In terms of your own development, you can expect a dynamic working environment with plenty of rotations to pique your interest.

This will cover a diverse mix of patients, complex conditions and specialist procedures, plus you’ll be working with the latest equipment under the guidance of senior medical staff that are at the very top of their game. We can’t wait to welcome you on board.

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Becoming a Nurse at the Royal Devon

How do I train to become a Nurse?

The first step to becoming a Midwife is to take a degree level programme approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC). This may be full-time or part-time if you are working in a relevant role. Approved full-time midwifery degree courses last for three years, half of your time is spent studying at university and the other half is gaining hands-on, supervised experience across a range of settings. Applications are made through UCAS.

Training and development UCAS
Newly qualified Nurses

Once you have qualified, you will need to register with the NMC and begin your Preceptorship year as a newly qualified nurse.

Register with the NMC Apply for a role with us Come to an event
Other routes into Nursing

Another potential career route will see you grow from a Healthcare Support Worker, gaining relevant qualifications and experience along the way. We will support you on your journey, providing opportunities to achieve qualifications as you progress along your ideal career route.

Discover how you can start your career with us as a HCSW, and study to become a Nursing Associate. 

Healthcare Support Worker Nursing Associate

What does a career pathway look like?

What does a career pathway look like?

There are so many ways to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career as a Nurse. You may be starting afresh and looking for a brand new role, or perhaps you have dedicated a few years to other goals and are looking to return to practice. If you are interested in developing your role, we have a wealth of opportunities you can harness too.

To help you on your way, we produced a brochure to kick start your career with us. 

Download our brochure

Your bespoke learning journey

Your bespoke learning journey

You’ll be supported to create your own personal development plan. This is used to identify your individual training needs, which can be met from the wide range of learning opportunities available such as clinical skills, management development, coaching and mentoring, IT skills and much more.

Learn with us

Advancing your career

Staff Nurses

Experienced band 5 Nurses will enjoy funded continuing professional development (CPD), rotation, secondment and career progression opportunities as well as being part of a caring and supportive nursing team that has been ranked as one of the highest in the country for staff engagement and job satisfaction.

Our Staff Nurses work in a variety of areas, in the community and within our hospitals including; trauma, neurology, paediatric, rehabilitation, blood sciences, critical care, emergency care, recovery, endoscopy, pharmacy, interventional radiology, minor injuries, breast screening, elderly care and community district nursing teams.

The opportunity to move between roles or develop in new areas is something that our nurses value and is something we actively support.

Training and development
Career routes to Midwifery

Qualified Nurses can also become a Midwife through a shortened midwifery degree.

Midwife
Progressing to Band 6, 7 and 8

We have plenty of opportunities to help you transform your area of interest into a specialist role. We are always keen to nurture interest and expertise across all areas of nursing and will do our utmost best to help you achieve your career aspirations. Once you have become a specialist, you’ll be operating at Band 7.

The opportunities to hone your specialist skills are endless, but you can also climb up to band 8 in a management capacity. 

Our experienced specialist nurses often work closely with our medical teams enjoying a large amount of responsibility and autonomy. We recognise the value that comes with experience and will continue to invest in your development into more advanced clinical or managerial roles. Flexible working and relocation support is also available for successful candidates.

Advanced and enhanced practice Leadership Academy

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Jodie Ashford, Band 5 Staff Nurse
Jodie Ashford, Band 5 Staff Nurse

“I joined the Royal Devon as a newly qualified nurse and began working on our care of the elderly ward. I’ve recently made the move to the medical assessment unit where I work as part of a team alongside healthcare assistants, nursing associates, doctors, therapy teams and pharmacists. I’ve found everyone very friendly.

My pathway into nursing was through A levels and an adult nursing degree from UWE Bristol. Since starting work here, I’ve also been completing my preceptorship training. This course is designed for all newly qualified registrants in the trust. Over your first year, there are six taught study days and you’re assigned a mentor who helps support and guide you through your newly-qualified year.

The best thing about my job is getting to meet so many different people from such varied walks of life. It’s a privilege to hear their stories and care for them when they are at their most vulnerable. I would definitely recommend nursing at the Royal Devon. I’ve felt incredibly welcome everywhere I’ve worked.”

Experienced Nurses

Return to Practice

The Royal Devon can offer you fully-funded Return to Practice routes back into Nursing and Midwifery. We’ll give you dedicated time to care, providing a bespoke support package to help you on your way. We'll guide you through the process of re-registering with the NMC and empower you to achieve the required criteria.

Return to practice
Overseas

If you’re interested in bringing your skills to England, you’ve come to the right place. When you work with us, you’ll join our passionate team and enjoy job security, a competitive salary and flexible hours.

Overseas nurses

Preceptorship programme

Preceptorship programme

Whether you are newly qualified, joining us from outside the UK, or returning to practice, our Preceptorship Programme will help you find your feet so you feel as confident and competent as possible.

The structured programme consists of a series of study days, after which you will apply theory to practice and hone the skills you have learned as you gain experience within your clinical area. These study days are spread over the course of a year.

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What can I expect to get paid?

Agenda for change

Known as ‘Agenda for Change’, NHS pay is structured around different bandings for a fair and transparent pay structure. Levels of pay vary within each band according to experience. As your career develops, you can expect to earn more and move to the top of your pay banding before working your way up to the next one.

  • Healthcare Support Workers and Trainee Nursing Associates are usually within Bands 2 to 4
  • Registered Nurses usually start within Band 5 or Band 6
  • Specialist and Senior Nurses can advance all the way up to Band 8
Agenda for change

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A day in the life of a Band 5 Staff Nurse
We'll help you feel at home

We'll help you feel at home

We have a bespoke package of support, guidance and helpful resources to help you feel settled. 
Work flexibly

Work flexibly

Choose your shifts to suit your needs, apply to join our Staff Bank. 

Last updated: August 17, 2023

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