1. nursingstandard.com
careers / highlights
38 / 6 July 2016 / volume 30 number 45
increase in nursing vacancies
between 2013 and 2015,
from 12,513 to 18,714. These
figures are for England,
Wales and Northern Ireland
Office for National Statistics
The drop in the number of people aged
between 16 and 49 in England in the next
ten years
tinyurl.com/zdqnt5y
700,000
50%
CONTINUED
Vacancyboom
encouragesnurses
backontowards
E
llen Watters worked
as a staff nurse in the
NHS before becoming
an information specialist
nurse for cancer charity Myeloma
UK, a post she has held for more
than 13 years.
Her role involves running
a nurse-led telephone helpline
for patients, families and other
healthcare professionals; offering
clinical and emotional support
from time of diagnosis through
to end of life; and many other
responsibilities such as answering
emails and presenting at patient
information days.
Students get support from
the wider placement team,
as well as the RTP leads in
organisations. Help with
job-hunting will be provided
by the trust.
The pace of change is fast
in healthcare, so it’s a good
idea to seek out opportunities
as a healthcare assistant or
volunteer in the area you
want to practise in, suggests
Ms Lawrie. This will help you
understand how the sector has
moved on since you were last
in practice.
If this makes you realise
nursing is something you want
to return to, why not arrange
an informal chat or visit with
one of your local placement
providers? They will certainly
be glad to hear from you.
Dean Gurden is a freelance journalist
Find out more
Health Education England’s website
has links to your local region where
contact names and details are
available for both universities and local
placement providers.
comeback.hee.nhs.uk
NHS Jobs is ideal for those looking for
the RTP employment route because
placement providers will generally
advertise here. It is also good for
looking for jobs in your desired field.
www.jobs.nhs.uk
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Feel-good posts outside the
NHS offer job satisfaction
Information specialist nurse Ellen Watters offers advice
to those wanting to move out of the health service
How does the voluntary sector
help to improve patient care?
‘I’m often told that doctors and
nurses don’t have the time to answer
questions or provide emotional
support, so patients are left feeling
vulnerable, isolated and unsure of
what is happening.
‘The voluntary sector helps to
bridge this gap by taking a holistic
view, listening to feedback and
designing services around needs,
such as providing information and a
listening ear after a diagnosis. This
helps patients feel more able to cope
with their illness and take control of
their health and wellbeing.’
iStock

2. nursingstandard.com volume 30 number 45 / 6 July 2016 / 39
of 2015 NHS Pension Scheme
members will have a state pension
age of between 65 and 68
Health and Social Care Information Centre,
September 2015 statistics
‘My mentors related
to patients and
colleagues in ways I
wanted to emulate’
Andrew Pace, specialist mentor
See article below
96%
What are the advantages for
nurses in the voluntary sector?
‘Increased job satisfaction and
better work-life balance. I can
put my years of nursing
knowledge and skills to good use
and manage my own workload
– I’m not controlled by ward
routines or demands.
‘Patients have my undivided
attention. I work regular hours,
can plan ahead and spend more
time with my family. I feel healthier
because I’m not so tired.’
What advice would you give
nurses thinking about moving
into the voluntary sector?
‘Do your research. There are many
roles available with varying levels
of patient contact, so think about
what type of roles would suit you.
Although you may initially miss
the hands-on aspects of care, think
of the support you would like to
offer your patients but are unable
to because of time or other resource
implications, and how satisfying it
would be to meet those needs.
‘There are lots of training courses
specifically for the voluntary sector,
and it is useful to network with
other nurses and professionals.
‘Don’t let fear of change put
you off. Once you find your niche,
you won’t look back. I certainly
haven’t.’
Opportunities for nurses
in the voluntary sector
» Promoting healthier lifestyles
and preventing ill health through
education or screening initiatives.
» Providing health and social care
services commissioned by NHS
trusts or commissioning groups.
Andrew Pace is a specialist
mentor at Diverse Learners
(www.diverse-learners.co.uk), a
consultancy providing disability
support and training for the
healthcare sector. He works
with a team of health and
social care practitioners and
disability specialists.
What are your main work
responsibilities?
Mentoring students who have
mental health difficulties
by listening, reassuring and
building confidence, and
supporting them to find
strategies to balance their
work-life-study load.
How did you get your job?
I was working as a palliative
care link nurse in a community
hospital. When the hospital
closed I moved out of
community nursing to help
develop Diverse Learners,
which my wife Kerry
had started a few
years earlier.
Who are your clients/
patients?
Predominantly
healthcare students
on undergraduate and
postgraduate courses.
What do you love about
your job?
Enabling students to overcome
their difficulties and become
practitioners – especially those
who have the qualities to
become great practitioners.
What do you find most difficult?
Students having difficulties that
are institutional in origin.
What is your top priority at work?
Meeting the needs of students.
How have you developed your
skills in this role?
Through mentoring roles
in nursing and in previous
professional roles supporting
young learners in special schools
and workplace settings.
What has been your most
formative career experience?
I was fortunate enough to have
three great mentors. They related
to patients and colleagues in
ways I wanted to emulate.
What’s your next career move?
To continue developing the
service we offer. I have
started reviewing articles
and writing my own.
What career advice
would you give your
younger self?
None. I wouldn’t have
been interested.
60-SECOND INTERVIEW
‘I enable students in difficulty’
Specialist mentor Andrew Pace supports students
with mental health problems to fulfil their potential