Hundreds of nurses wanted to fill vacancies in North Wales hospitals

Hundreds of nurses are being recruited to fill vacant jobs in hospitals across Wales in a new campaign launched today.

The Welsh Government is promoting Wales as a “fantastic” country and is seeking nurses to train, live and work at hospitals including Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor; Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan; Wrexham Maelor and Bronglais, Aberystwyth.

The campaign launched by Health Secretary Vaughan Gething is targeting other parts of the UK as well as Canada, Romania and Ghana.

The NHS Bursaries for student nurses, midwives and other health professionals offer non-means tested grant of £1,000; a means tested bursary of £2,643-£4,491 as well as payments for students living at or away from the parental home.

The bursary means they have to commit to working in Wales for two years after qualifying.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor Arniel Hernando and face of the new nursing recruitment campaign said: “Continuation of the nursing bursary in Wales is great news for the next generation of trainees entering my profession. Nursing is a very poplar profession in the Philippines and it’s seen not only as a profession, but as a vocation too.

“I became a nurse because I enjoy caring for people and helping patients. I feel particularly fortunate to be a nurse in Wales because the people here are so friendly – I don’t think you can experience this level of friendliness in many other places.”

“I saw the NHS Wales advert in the newspaper. I applied and found the recruitment process quite tough as I needed to pass a written English test. After that I had another two interviews and chose to work in North West Wales. I was delighted to get selected and have no regrets at all.

“I moved to London a couple of years ago, but I came back to Wales almost immediately, as I found the London lifestyle so stressful. I love living in Bangor, it’s so easy for me to go mountain climbing and sailing in my spare time.”

The international campaign will target newly qualified and experienced registered nurses, as well as those who may be considering returning to the profession.

Mr Gething said: “We can offer flexible working arrangements and support for nurses and we are the first country in Europe to introduce a nurse staffing levels law.”

Professor Jean White said: “We are committed to investing in education, in the right staffing levels, and in the professional development of our nurses. Wales has a lot to offer, from our fantastic coastline, mountains, to our towns and cities, and I want to encourage nurses to consider Wales as a place to train, work and live.”

Anybody interested in working in Wales can call 01443 848 576 for more details.