Website to help nurses plan new career steps goes live today

A new online careers resource jointly developed by Health Education England and the RCN will help registered nurses and clinical support workers plan their next career move. It will help ensure continuity of service and retention in the NHS, leading to better care for patients.

Launched at the RCN Congress in Liverpool today (22^nd May), the free site at www.rcn.org.uk/nursingcareersresource aims to help nursing staff identify new areas of practice that might suit their skills and aspirations.

The nursing careers resource:

• Showcases a wide range of different roles within health care from moving on in a clinical role to developing research or education roles in a university or practice setting.
• Includes a case study, a video or a podcast of a registered nurse or clinical support worker currently working in that role
• Helps users understand how they might make this change 
• Identifies what education or training users need to plan and undertake their new role
• Highlights further career options that might arise from these roles.

Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Chief Nurse at Health Education England said: “As nursing becomes an increasingly diverse, demanding and high-skill profession, it’s essential that staff have the opportunity to understand and explore the options available to them as their experiences and capabilities evolve.  This online tool is an easy-to-use way to do just that, and will help nurses at all levels build successful and rewarding careers.”

Gill Coverdale, RCN Professional Lead for Learning and Development, said: “We hope the resource will help to keep nursing staff in the profession. It encourages them to consider all their career options within nursing so that they can feel inspired to try something new and fulfill their ambitions in this wonderful profession.” 

There will be a live stream of the launch event which is free to access and open to RCN members and non-members at www.rcn.org.uk/events