About this role
Job summary
Start Your Nursing Career with Confidence - Join Us This September 2026
Are you a final-year Nursing Student (including apprentices) qualifying in September 2026? Ready to begin your career in a supportive, forward-thinking organisation?
At Dorset County Hospital and Dorset HealthCare NHS Trusts, we offer an exciting opportunity to launch your career across acute, community hospital, and community services, helping you find the path that's right for you.
From day one, you'll benefit from a high-quality preceptorship programme, supported by a dedicated team of experienced practice educators who will guide your transition from student to confident registered nurse. You'll also have access to ongoing CPD opportunities to support your development and help you reach your full potential.
We are proud to be inclusive employers and welcome applications from dual-trained Adult and Mental Health nurses to support our diverse services.
Join a collaborative, supportive workforce where your growth truly matters.
When applying, please confirm your preferred area to start your nursing career (e.g. community hospitals).
Take the first step towards a rewarding future--your journey starts here.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
Main duties of the job
To succeed with us, you'll need to have a true passion for providing the best patient care and uphold our values to provide the best possible patient care!
On top of being part of our incredible team, you'll enjoy an enviable quality of life in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain plus a comprehensive range of benefits including 27 days' holiday (rising to 33 days), the NHS Pension Scheme, wide-ranging retail and travel discounts, relocation assistance, a subsidised restaurant, employee health and wellbeing support, and more.
Please note, this vacancy is for individuals about to qualify as Registered Nurses on UK based NMC approved training programmes.
Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service can present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.
Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.
About us
At Dorset County Hospital FT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff
Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
With a vision of delivering compassionate and safe healthcare, Dorset County Hospital is the main provider of acute hospital services to a population of around 250,000 across Weymouth and Portland, West and North Dorset and Purbeck.
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity.
Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.
Job description Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.
We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.
As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce across Dorset County Hospital and Dorset HealthCare, we offer support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]
Person Specification
Skills & Abilities Essential
Evidence of ability to practice as competent practitioner Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality
Desirable
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements especially risk management
Knowledge & Experience Essential
Demonstrate your experience while undertaking your training, stating what areas you have obtained experience in, for example: General Medicine & Surgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics, Elderly Care, A/E, Theatres, Critical Care, Gynaecology etc.
Desirable
Demonstrate an understanding of professional issues and the 6 C's.
Education, Qualifications & Training Essential
In final year of studying or recently qualified/fully registered in the UK in your profession (NMC)
Desirable
Evidence of recent CPD
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dorset County Hospital
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)