subject: Why not all jobs in nursing are with the NHS [print this page] Why not all jobs in nursing are with the NHS
If you've just completed your qualifications in nursing and are beginning to look for jobs, it's tempting to turn to the NHS - Britain's National Health Service - as your first port of call. Indeed, the NHS employs hundreds of nurses across the country and operates the most comprehensive database of nursing vacancies in the UK that's available online. However, it's important to remember that not all jobs in nursing are with the NHS. There are several private hospitals and care homes across the country that offer trained nurses a great working environment and many important benefits.
So why should you think about working as a nurse in the private sector? Well for starters, private hospitals and care homes may offer you more flexibility with the hours you work, so you may be less likely to work very long and busy shifts. You may also find that you have more choice over the location in which you work, so you could move to a location that suits you, your partner or family and your personal lifestyle.
As a private sector nurse, you may also receive more training and development opportunities over a longer period of time. Leading private health care organisations invest millions of pounds each year in training their staff. These may take the form of apprenticeships, QCF exams or other accredited training courses, and are targeted towards training nurses, care assistants and management. If you're uncertain about the level of training and development that you will receive if you work in a private hospital as compared to a public one, then be sure to check with your potential employer before accepting a private nursing position.
Nursing jobs in a private hospital or care home may also offer significantly more benefits than working in the NHS. This may take the form of a more competitive salary but are likely to also involve generous holiday allowances and pensions, and access to your own private health insurance policy or cash plan. There may also be an opportunity to include your partner or family in these insurance benefits, so choosing a private nursing job could have benefits for everyone in your household.
Finding a nursing position that isn't with the NHS is relatively simple too. A quick internet search should provide you with an exhaustive list of websites on which to look for vacancies in your chosen area. If an advertised vacancy is with a health care organisation that's unknown to you, make sure to research its reputation before applying for the job so you can establish whether it's home to a work environment you'd like to be part of. Alternatively, if you already have a good idea of which private health care institution you'd like to work for, search their own jobs database or contact them directly with your credentials.
