Staff who are given opportunities to develop further through learning are more likely to flourish and feel fulfilled in their role.

That is the view of Laura Thomas and Sarah Holgate, staff nurses on Powys Ward, and Scott Bright, Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and Advanced Surgical Practitioner (ASP), at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

Laura and Sarah were both employed after impressing at a previous Orthopaedic nurse recruitment day.

Experienced, newly qualified and student nurses who are qualifying this year, as well as ODPs, are invited to attend the next recruitment day – taking place at the hospital on Sunday November 25.

The day will provide the opportunity for potential staff members to have a chat to the teams, undertake assessments and even be interviewed on the day – if they have registered their interest before the event. If successful, they could leave the hospital with offers of employment.

Laura started working for the Trust in June last year, while Sarah joined a month after.

The pair had both come from general hospital backgrounds, and say taking the plunge by applying for jobs at a specialist hospital has been “the best choice they could’ve made”.

Laura said: “Joining the Trust has definitely been the right decision for myself, my family and my career. What I’ve found particularly refreshing about being here is how supportive the Trust is of our learning.

“While we were still relatively new to the Trust, both Sarah and I had been able to start the orthopaedic practice module. It’s fantastic that you’re encouraged to learn. Where I was previously, the only training I had was the mandatory stuff.

“Being able to grasp these learning opportunities is extremely encouraging and really makes a difference to how you feel as an individual working for a Trust. It makes you feel valued.

“Our Ward Manager Debs [Povall] is extremely keen to see us develop, which is great knowing we have supportive leadership.”

Sarah said: “My experience at the Orthopaedic so far has been an incredibly positive one; it’s a brilliant place to be a nurse. The environment here is a lovely one, people are friendly, caring and understanding, particularly management, who are supportive of staff’s needs.

“Having come from a general hospital background to now working on a surgical ward, I’ve seen first-hand that the pressures between the two places to work are very different but what sets it apart here is that the support you’re provided with means you’re able to do the job to the very best of your abilities.”

Scott, who started at the Trust as a Healthcare Assistant, went on to train at Staffordshire University to become an ODP. He qualified in 2012.

Scott Bright, ODP and ASP, said: “Since qualifying, the Trust has supported me to further my education, and I’m now a mentor to students delivering high standards of perioperative care. I’ve also since gained myself a position as an Advanced Surgical Practitioner.

“The team I work with are fantastic and supportive, everyone feels able to be open, honest and friendly.”

To attend the upcoming Nurse and ODP Recruitment Day, an application must be submitted and you must book a place to either the 9am or 12.30pm slot.

If you are interested in attending the event, please let us know in advance by completing the contact form at 

www.rjah.nhs.uk/nursing.

Alternatively, contact our HR team on 01691 404390 or by emailing rjah.human.resources@nhs.net.