In NHS Wales, it’s an exciting time to join our workforce, as we shape the future of our mental health services. Our mission is simple, to become the employer of choice. By fostering rewarding and fulfilling careers for our staff, we can ensure our service users have access to the best care possible, now and in the future.
Wales offers the opportunity to train as a mental health nurse in six universities across the country:
Each course runs for 2-4 years, depending on previous qualification and whether each student undertakes full or part-time study. During training, students will partake in a range of academic and practical learning, with clinical placements within each university catchment area. For unregistered nurses, many health boards and trusts offer alternative routes to access and enrol in nurse training.
Nurse training in Wales is currently funded by the NHS Wales Bursary scheme. The scheme provides access to a tuition fee bursary, support grants and placement expenses. To be eligible, students will need to commit to working in Wales for at least 2 years after completing the degree course. For unregistered nurses considering part-time nurse training, funding can be sought via their employing health board or trust.
Wales provides opportunities for mental health nurses to work across a range of localities, enabling them to support people throughout their lives. Mental health services in Wales offer a variety of inpatient models – designated admissions, longer stay treatment, rehabilitation, psychiatric intensity wards, low and medium secure wards; plus, specialist inpatient wards, including neuropsychiatric and early onset dementia.
Community models are equally as varied, with exciting opportunities to work in a multi-disciplinary team within a range of services, including psychiatric community, primary care, CAMHS, early interventions, drug and alcohol, veterans, asylum seeker, memory assessment, home treatment, liaison and prison in-reach.
Wales offers mental health nurses the opportunity to be the difference, to be the catalyst that enables positive change in the lives of people who access the services, their families and the wider community.
All health boards and trusts across Wales offer a 6-month preceptorship, for newly registered nurses returning to practice, and registered nurses without mental health experience who may wish to work within mental health services. Whilst in post, nurses are provided with the opportunity to learn from dedicated and experienced nurses, as well as benefiting from the wealth of knowledge and experience available working in collaboration with members of the wider multi-disciplinary team. Many health boards and trusts offer a fast-track development programme, where nurses are provided with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills within a designated competency framework that enables faster career progression.
Wales offers a range of funded development opportunities, including courses for, independent prescribing, advance nurse practitioner, nurse consultant; as well as a range of counselling and specialist therapy qualifications (including CBT, DBT, and EMDR), plus management and leadership qualifications.
Fast emerging as one of Europe’s most energetic capitals, Cardiff offers world-class shopping, stylish dining, beautifully kept parks and all the other advantages you’d expect from modern urban living. Newport is a city rejuvenated by investment, Swansea appeals with its beach suburbs and the market town of Wrexham offers historical buildings and is the gateway to North Wales.
From the world-renowned Gower coast in the south, to the beautiful Llŷn Peninsula on the edge of Snowdonia National Park in the north, Wales is home to many of the UK’s best beaches – all accessible along a continuous 870-mile coastal path that reveals coves, headlands and bays overflowing with wildlife.
There are three National Parks in Wales. But wherever you go, nature is all around you. From luscious mountains to dramatic river valleys, deserted beaches to rugged cliff tops, the natural landscape offers a stunning backdrop whether you’re in the mood for adventure, looking to unwind or simply following your daily routine.
Castles define the welsh landscape just as much as our hills and valleys. There are 641 in total – imposing fairy-tale and tumbledown – each offering a glimpse into the past and the chance for you to explore the legends within their walls. Going back even further, there are also dozens of pre-historic sites to see, including some of the best-preserved Neolithic wonders in the UK.
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