An open day for nurses interested in joining the lifesavers working around the clock at Wiltshire’s largest Emergency Department is happening on Saturday 5 November.
Taking place at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon, the open day is a chance for nurses of all ages and experiences to see the busy Emergency Department in action, talk with staff and get a feel for the rewarding nature of this fast-paced career.
Those coming along will also be able to learn the basic skills, such as applying and removing plaster casts, needed for a career in ED.
Considered by many to be the beating heart of the NHS, the last 12 months saw more than 78,000 patients look to staff in the Swindon department for help when they needed it most.
Chris Bull, Senior Emergency Department Matron, said: “Working in emergency nursing is hard work. But with that hard work comes one of the most fulfilling jobs there is.
“It’s said of a lot of careers that two days are never the same, but nowhere is that more true than in the Emergency Department.
“One minute you can be helping an elderly person after a fall or holding a child’s hand as they have stitches and the next you could be receiving patients with life-threatening injuries from the air ambulance outside.
“Not everyone has what it takes to succeed in the Emergency Department, but those who do have the ability to make a real difference to so many.”
In the last 12 months the department has gone through a host of changes and improvements, including a massive recruitment drive which has increased staffing levels by more than 20 per cent.
With around 16 nursing positions left to fill, the open day will also be a chance for candidates to sit an interview for one of the jobs available.
In 2014 the department benefited from a multi-million pound refurbishment and the creation of a dedicated children’s section.
Located next to the main department, the children’s area is protected and allows youngsters up to the age of 18 to be cared for in a more private and calming environment.
To register a place at the open day, which takes place between 10am and 3pm, visit the NHS jobs website, www.jobs.nhs.uk and search for the Great Western Hospital.
For more information about the emergency department, visit www.gwh.nhs.uk.
