Searching for your first roles as newly registered nurse

Graduate Guarantee

We understand that some students and newly registered nurses have faced uncertainty - from delays in job availability to limited opportunities in preferred specialties, or frustrating gaps between completing education programmes and starting work.

To address this, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced the Graduate Guarantee: a commitment that every newly registered nurse in England will have the opportunity to join the health and social care workforce. This will see thousands of roles being opened up where they are needed most.

Remember, your qualification opens doors to a diverse range of career opportunities that extend beyond hospital wards – with rewarding roles across community care, social care, the independent sector and the charity sector.

Explore the nursing job search platforms for current vacancies.

Some roles will be available immediately, but others may take a little more time to open. We appreciate your patience as we work to make these opportunities available as quickly as possible.

Finding the right nursing opportunity for you

Health and care organisations need dedicated nurses to support patients and families across all healthcare settings.

Your education has prepared you well for this diverse profession, and employers recognise the value that newly qualified nurses bring to their teams. Whether you've qualified in adult, children's, mental health or learning disability nursing, your expertise is needed across many different specialisms united under one profession.

Nursing careers offer endless opportunities - no two nursing careers follow the same path. This guide will help you navigate finding job opportunities with confidence and locate the right role to start your nursing journey.

Nursing job search: frequently asked question

We have gathered questions you have been asking about your first registered nurse role and responded to them on the nursing job search: frequently asked questions webpage, which covers additional guidance for finding your first nursing  job, in addition to this student hub and signposted guidance and resources.

How to find nursing job opportunities

If you are a nursing apprentice

Discuss with your line manager

Talk to your direct line manager about opportunities within your current team as you approach qualification. Training to be a nurse is a brilliant way of finding out where you want to work when qualified. Having practice placement opportunities outside of your 'home' environment enhances your experience of different places, types of care and patient groups.

Throughout this time, it's vital for you to remain in close touch and collaborate with your line manager, who can help you identify what opportunities exist within your team and across the wider organisation. They understand your development, strengths, and interests, making them well-placed to guide your career decisions.

Contact your organisation's apprenticeship lead

They will know about progression routes and job opportunities for apprentices becoming qualified nurse.

Explore different departments

Consider whether you want to stay in your current area or move to a different service within your organisation.

Through your nursing placement providers

Talk to your placement supervisors

Self-funded nursing students can secure their first job through organisations where they completed placements. Speak to your practice supervisors and practice assessors about upcoming opportunities.

Express your interest early

Let placement providers know you are interested in working for them after qualification.

Network during placements

Build positive relationships with nursing teams during your clinical experience. They may recommend you for positions or inform you about vacancies.

Nursing job search platforms

Government job search services

Find a Job (gov.uk) – the government's official job search service covers jobs across a range of sectors including social care, forensics, NHS, and many other public sector organisations.

You might need to be specific in your search terms, for example roles or including the settings like:

Healthcare settings

• community nursing
• mental health services
• learning disability support
• general practice and health centres (speak to your local primary care training hub)

Specialist services

• substance misuse services
• forensic and justice care
• rehabilitation centres
• rare disease services
• transplant services

Care settings

• social care
• care homes
• supported living
• domiciliary care
• hospice care

Non-traditional settings

• schools
• armed forces
• research institutions

Independent and charitable sectors

• private hospitals and clinics
• occupational health services
• health charities
• international aid organisations
• digital health and telehealth services

NHS and healthcare platforms

NHS Jobs website – the main place to find NHS nursing positions across England. Set up job alerts for nursing roles in your preferred locations.

NHS Professionals – NHS bank and temporary staffing agency that offers flexible nursing work. This can be a good way to gain experience across different trusts and potentially lead to permanent positions.

Social care and specialist sectors

Skills for care: careers in social care – information about nursing careers and jobs in social care settings.

Independent and charity healthcare providers

Independent healthcare providers network – a good place to find these employers is by visiting the independent healthcare providers network members page. They have over 100 independent healthcare providers registered with them, but there are many more across the country delivering healthcare and are needing nurses.

National voices: member directory – a good place to find charitable healthcare employers. national voices represents over 160 health and care charities across england, but there are many more charitable organisations across the country delivering healthcare and needing nurses.

Mitie careers – major provider of justice healthcare services.

Other forensic roles – metropolitan police and individual police forces, crown prosecution service and court healthcare services often advertise healthcare roles on their websites. 

Armed Forces nursing opportunities

RAF Recruitment Registered Nurse (Adult) Royal Air Force – nursing roles in the Royal Air Force

Provide Care as an Army Nurse: Medical Service Army Jobs – military nursing opportunities

Naval Nurse (Qualified) Royal Navy Jobs Surface Fleet – Royal Navy nursing positions

Professional networking and specialist platforms

RCNi job search - nursing-specific job platform.

Royal College of Nursing - How to search for jobs - careers resources and job search guidance.

Professional networks and support for newly qualified nurses

Nursing and Nursing Associate Social Care Student and Early Careers Network

Join this network which connects student and registered nurses and nursing associates passionate about or wanting to learn about social care. Benefit from peer support, career and professional development opportunities and networking with like-minded professionals across England. 

University careers services

Your university may have partnerships with local services and can help connect you with employers actively recruiting newly qualified nurse.

Royal College of Nursing

Join the RCN to access their job board, networking events, and career support services specifically for nursing and nursing associate professionals.

Professional networks

Connect with qualified nursing through professional events, social media groups, LinkedIn and local nursing networks for job opportunities and advice.

Health Careers

Visit NHS Health Careers website and live events for career planning support.

Making the most of your search for a nursing job

Important note for apprentices

If you're completing a nursing apprenticeship, you may have contractual obligations to your current employer after qualification.  Check your apprenticeship contract carefully and discuss any obligations with your line manager and HR team before actively searching for external opportunities.

Start early

Begin looking for opportunities 3-6 months before you qualify. Some organisations recruit newly qualified nurses in cohorts.

Consider different sectors

Look at NHS, independent healthcare providers, and social care organisations to find the best opportunities.

Be flexible with location

Consider roles in different areas or organisations to increase your opportunities and gain diverse experience.

Consider different settings

Look at hospital, community, primary care and social care roles.

Use multiple sources

Don't rely on just one method of job searching. Use a combination of approaches to find the best opportunities.

Types of roles to consider

Newly qualified nursing programmes (preceptorships)

Many organisations should offer structured preceptorship programmes specifically for newly qualified nurses which should offer enhanced support.

NHS roles

Hospital, community, and primary care positions across adult, children's, mental health and learning disability services.

Social care settings

Care homes, residential homes and community social care organisations provide valuable experience working with vulnerable populations.

Independent and charity healthcare

Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers across the independent and charity sector often offer competitive packages and structured career development.

Bank work

Flexible positions through NHS Professionals or organisation banks can provide valuable experience and may lead to permanent roles.

Ready to apply?

Once you have found opportunities that interest you, the next step is creating strong applications that showcase your nursing training and passion for supporting patients and families across all healthcare settings.

How to apply for nursing jobs – get guidance on writing effective CVs, personal statements, and application forms for nursing positions.

Take your time to explore different opportunities across NHS, independent providers, and social care settings, and find roles where you can learn, grow and develop your nursing skills with good support and mentorship across the four fields of nursing.