Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Student Sponsorship

Job Description

Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) Student (School Nursing)

Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career while making a real difference in the lives of children and young people? Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust (DHC) is excited to offer an incredible opportunity to train as a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) in School Nursing, starting on 13th October 2025.

Dorset, with its mix of beautiful rural landscapes and vibrant urban areas, is the perfect place to experience diverse settings and communities. Working with us means you’ll receive hands-on training in a supportive, dynamic environment, ensuring that you gain the skills and experience to excel in your role.

We are proud to have strong ties with the University of Surrey, and our reputation for successfully training SCPHNs is well-established. Our program has helped countless students become skilled, compassionate school nurses, all of whom have secured roles in the NHS upon completion of the course.

What You’ll Do:

Practical Learning: You will be part of a 0-19 team within Dorset, providing school nursing services to children and young people, while developing your clinical skills and competencies as a specialist practitioner.

Academic Studies: Alongside practical training, you’ll engage in academic studies to deepen your knowledge of public health and school nursing.

Support: You will be fully supported by a qualified Practice Assessor and a Practice Supervisor, ensuring you are able to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world settings.

Entry Requirements:

A full NMC registration or currently enrolled on an NMC-approved pre-registration nursing program, with NMC registered nurse (level 1) or NMC registered midwife pin in place at the start of the program.

For the postgraduate study (PGDip), a UK Bachelor Honours Degree or equivalent is required. We also consider a combination of academic and experiential learning, so if you’re unsure about your qualifications, feel free to reach out to Programme Lead Felicity Jones at felicity.jones@surrey.ac.uk for advice.

What We Expect from You:

Actively participate in the course and meet academic competencies as required by the University.

Reflect on your practice and work closely with your Practice Assessor and Supervisor.

Adhere to University policies and procedures, while developing your clinical skills in line with NMC (2022) guidelines.

Work towards demonstrating the skills and competencies needed to become a specialist practitioner in the field of school nursing.

Important Dates:

Interviews will be held on 2nd April 2025.

If successful at interview, you’ll need to submit a formal application to the University.

The course will begin on 13th October 2025.

Why Choose Dorset HealthCare?

At Dorset HealthCare, we’re on a mission to provide outstanding healthcare that empowers people to live their best lives. Rated ‘outstanding’ by CQC in 2019, we’re a Trust that’s proud of our forward-thinking approach and the positive impact we have on our community. Whether you’re working in one of our vibrant towns, near the coast, or in the scenic countryside, you’ll be part of a team that makes a real difference.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported. We believe in equal opportunities and encourage all staff to bring their authentic selves to work, helping us to continually improve and grow.

As part of our talented 7,000-strong workforce, you’ll be challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach your full potential while contributing to our mission to improve lives every day with compassion, expertise, and excellence.

Join Us:

If you’re passionate about school nursing and want to work in an environment that fosters both personal and professional growth, this is the opportunity for you. For a detailed job description and person specification, please read the attached documents. When applying, make sure your supporting statement reflects the criteria outlined in these documents, showcasing how your skills and experience align with the role.

Need Extra Support?

If you or someone you know would benefit from additional support in preparing for a job application, interview skills, or other employment assistance, we offer an employability service to help. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net.

This version adds a more human and approachable tone, highlighting the benefits of the role and what candidates can expect while emphasizing the inclusive and supportive environment at Dorset HealthCare.