About this role
Job summary Shape the future of community nursing with NELFT
Are you a passionate registered nurse looking to take the next step in your career and become a qualified District Nurse and Specialist Community Practitioner?
At North East London NHS Foundation Trust, we are proud to offer an exciting opportunity for 6 motivated and compassionate nurses to join our sponsored Student District Nurse Programme commencing in September 2026, subject to funding approval.
This is your opportunity to develop advanced clinical, leadership and community nursing skills whilst studying towards the District Nursing Specialist Practitioner Qualification (DNSPQ) in partnership with London South Bank University.
Main duties of the job
As part of this programme, you will receive: A fixed-term full-time contract Salary paid up to the midpoint of Band 5 Full support from experienced community nursing teams and practice assessors The opportunity to gain a recordable Specialist Community Practitioner qualification with the NMC A rewarding career pathway within community services across NELFT
About us
NELFT NHS Foundation Trust provides mental health and community services for over 4.9 million people living in the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and across Essex.
We work to ensure our patients, their friends and family, feel confident that their health needs are well met. With an excellent reputation for research and development, our skilled health professionals are at the cutting edge of evidence-based innovation, opening up the possibilities for better ways of working and delivery of care.
Job description Job responsibilities
Why join NELFT?
Community nursing is at the heart of delivering care closer to home. As a Student District Nurse, you will develop the skills to lead and coordinate care for patients with complex health needs, supporting people to remain independent within their own homes and communities.
At NELFT, we are committed to:
Supporting professional development and career progression Delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care Promoting innovation and leadership within community services Creating inclusive teams where staff feel valued and supported You will join a forward-thinking organisation that values kindness, respect, and working together with our communities.
Entry Requirements Applicants must:
Hold current first-level registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council with no restrictions to practice Hold a first degree at 2:2 or above Demonstrate evidence of recent study within the last 2 years Be passionate about delivering high-quality community nursing care Demonstrate excellent communication, organisation and leadership potential
About the Role This development opportunity is designed to build upon your existing nursing knowledge, skills and experience, enabling you to progress towards advanced autonomous practice within community nursing.
You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, patients, carers and community partners whilst developing specialist skills in:
Clinical assessment and case management Leadership and care coordination Long-term condition management Health promotion and prevention Supporting patients to remain safely at home This is an excellent opportunity for nurses who are enthusiastic about community healthcare and aspire to become future leaders within District Nursing services.
Join NELFT and help deliver outstanding care where it matters most — in the heart of our communities.
Applications will be accepted until: 07-06-2026.
Interviews will be held on: 22-06-2026 and 24-06-2026.
Starting with NELFT NELFT place a great deal of importance on new starters being properly welcomed and inducted into the Trust. All new starters will join the Trust on the first Monday of each month and will undertake a comprehensive induction of up to two weeks which will include mandatory training, systems training and the allocation of equipment. As part of the process new starters will have the opportunity to also meet the executive team, senior managers and attend a number of drop-in sessions focusing on engagement, health and wellbeing and key processes. The induction will be held at our head office in Rainham, Essex.
Probationary Period This post will be subject to a probationary period. Internal applicants are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or currently a bank member of staff).
High Cost Area Supplement – Outer London (B&D, Redbridge, Havering and Waltham Forest, CEME) This post also attracts payment for High Cost Area Supplement of 15% of the basic salary (with a minimum of £4,870 to a maximum of £6,137 p.a. pro rata for part time).
Working for Us Joining #TeamNELFT means you’ll become part of a welcoming and supportive working environment. We’re CQC rated Good, and we want you to join us on the journey towards an Outstanding rating. NELFT has sites across North East London and Essex. We provide community and mental healthcare services to adults and children within these areas.
The Trust has award-winning equality and diversity initiatives, along with staff health and wellbeing activities. We invest significantly in your development because when you feel valued and supported, we can deliver the highest quality care to our patients. We are a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, have been recognised in the Working Families Top 10 Employers benchmark for five consecutive years, and hold a Carers UK Level 1 Accreditation. Through our staff networks and training opportunities, we strive to foster a just and compassionate culture at NELFT.
For informal enquiries please contact:
Name: Mary Johnson
Job Title: Practice Experience Facilitator
Telephone number: 07534837416
e-mail address: [email protected]
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
NMC Registration
Experience Essential
Be passionate about delivering high-quality community nursing care Demonstrate excellent communication, organisation and leadership potential
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name NELFT North East London Foundation Trust
Address Various/Trust Wide
London
Essex
IG3 8XJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)