Private sector nurse jobs can offer you more

We take a look at some of the private sector nursing vacancies currently on offer throughout all nursing specialisms, and look at the benefits on offer when moving into the private sector.

Nursing jobs in the NHS are less readily available than 12 months ago, despite reassurances from Government that frontline jobs will be protected. In research published in April, the RCN found that over 5,000 jobs across 21 NHS trusts are at risk of being cut, just a small part of the 40,000 estimated NHS posts that could be axed by 2014.

With such a difficult time in recruitment for nurses and midwives in the public sector, we’re looking at whether the time has come to look to the private sector for your career progression.

The private sector has always offered a wide range of nursing job opportunities along with a different set of working conditions in a range of nursing specialisms, but now you may be looking with trepidation to the private sector in order to progress your career.

You don’t need to fear the change, the private sector has many great benefits, including vacancies throughout the country and often training opportunities included in your contract.

Below we’ll look at some of nursing vacancies currently advertised on Nurses.co.uk, and the companies advertising them.

Barchester Healthcare

I’m sure many of you will be aware of Barchester Healthcare, but for those that aren’t they are one of the largest providers of high quality nursing and residential care services within the UK.

They currently employ 14,000 care and nursing staff in their 220 facilities across the country. They employ healthcare staff at all levels from domiciliary assistants to RGN nurses, RMN nurses and RNLD nurses, and of course Deputy and Home Managers as well.

Their services include residential care and supported living for children and adults with learning disabilities, and nursing and specialist care services for the elderly and those with dementia, so you have a wide range of environments to choose from when applying to Barchester Healthcare.

If you’re a newly / recently qualified nurse with a current NMC pin number, you will be eligible to apply for a nursing job with Barchester Healthcare. In return they offer a rate of pay that’s higher than the first pay point in band 5, flexible shifts to accommodate family commitments, a structured career pathway and training in accordance with your progression as well as a generous annual leave allowance.

If you’re a qualified and experienced nurse looking for a management position, then Barchester Healthcare could also offer the right opportunity for you. They employ both Deputy and Home Managers who must also be qualified nurses.

You don’t necessarily need a management qualification in order to apply because Barchester Healthcare sometimes offer to provide this training for you. If you’re looking for a Deputy Manager’s role within a medium size care home you could be offered a salary in the region of £30 - £35K with a range of generous benefits and a permanent contract.

Follow this link to view all current nursing vacancies with Barchester Healthcare.

Bupa Care Homes

Bupa Care Homes is a very well known brand throughout the healthcare sector, employing staff of all grades and qualifications from domestic support staff and care assistants to nurses and care managers.

They currently operate over 300 care homes in the UK and employ over 40,000 staff to ensure their services are always of the best quality.

If you’re looking for a nursing job, the most common vacancies are for registered general nurses (RGN) and mental health nurses (RMN), ideally with previous experience in a specific area such as palliative care or dementia care.

There are vacancies with Bupa Care Homes throughout the UK, so it’s likely you will be able to find one close to you.

Working as a care home nurse for Bupa Care Homes, you will need to focused on each person in your care as an individual. Person centered care is an essential part of the way nursing care is delivered, nurses are also responsible for carrying out assessments of new residents and often managing a shift of support and care staff in providing the best possible standard of care.

Newly qualified nurses are often eligible to apply for vacancies, so whether you’re just at the start of your career, or with years of experience behind you, you could find your ideal job with Bupa Care Homes. An example of some specific vacancies currently available at Bupa Care Homes are featured below:

RGN / RMN Care Home Nurse - Days & NightsWest Midlands, Salary + Benefits & Pension

Newly qualified or experienced nurses can apply

Care Home Manager, Durham

Nursing Home (must be RGN qualified for this management role)

Competitive Salary + Benefits, Pension and Achievable Bonus

Bupa Care Homes offer a structured career path and training to become a Deputy Manager, and eventually Care Home Manager, but the majority of their management positions require you to be a qualified nurse as well as a manager.

Whether you join as a nurse or manager you can enjoy benefits such as free uniform, free parking, childcare vouchers, Bupa cash plan discounts, life assurance and a pension.

Follow this link to view all current vacancies with Bupa Care Homes.

Nightingale Nursing

Nightingale Nursing is part of the Allied Healthcare Group and is a distinguished agency providing general and specialist nursing and care staff to individuals in their own homes and a number of private hospitals and clinics. Since it’s formation in 1974 Nightingale Nursing has grown to be the preferred supplier with a range of clients, and are ideally placed to offer candidates a variety of work placements.

Nightingale Nursing have job vacancies for Nurses of all branches and all grades of experience throughout the UK. Salaries are often above the equivalent NHS level, for example:

Staff Nurse - Newly-built Short Stay Ward

South London, Private Hospital

£25 - £30K, permanent

Staff Nurse - Oncology

London, Large Private Hospital

£27 - £35K, permanent

In order to apply for a Nightingale Nursing vacancy you will usually be required to have nursing experience in an environment similar to the one you’re applying for. But in return for your experience you will usually be offered a package of benefits that include a free uniform, flexible shifts, and a professional development training plan.

Follow this link to view all current vacancies with Nightingale Nursing