Wye Valley NHS Trust is to hold an open day event to give anyone considering a job as nurse a taste of what life at Hereford County Hospital is like.

The open day session, on Friday, February 2nd, from 11am to 2pm, is open to qualified nurses who may have left the profession and are considering a return, student nurses or new starters who have never thought about going into the nursing profession before.

Wye Valley NHS Trust employs nearly 1,000 nursing staff who work at the County Hospital in Hereford, in its three community hospitals and out in the community.

Whether it’s someone needing urgent treatment following an accident, the birth of a baby, or the sensitive care given to the elderly and frail who simply need a hand to hold, nurses are involved with patients at key times in their lives.

Increasingly, more care is being given closer to peoples’ homes – and in many cases, with the use of new technology, care is being delivered in peoples’ homes – either as follow up support following a medical procedure, or increasingly, as preventative care so they don’t need a hospital bed at all.

As a provider of both acute and community services, there are many opportunities to specialise and the Trust encourages its staff to develop in their careers to help meet the needs of the communities it serves.

The Trust has many student nurses embarking on their career in the NHS and has a busy education centre at the County Hospital, which facilities training and supports nurses.

The Trust is always looking for new qualified nurses and is keen to hear from nurses who may have left the profession but are considering a return.

“There are bound to be some challenges,” said Karen Miller, the Trust’s recruitment manager, “but we have a great team which will support any nurses wanting to return to the profession,” she added.

“While the basics of nursing remain the same, there are always new techniques, procedures and processes to learn. We have a great support network to bring nurses returning to become proficient and confident.”

For more details about the open day at Hereford County Hospital, visit the website: www.wyevalley.nhs.uk.