Land Your Next Nursing or Midwifery Role with ConfidenceWhether you’re preparing for your first interview, applying for a promotion, or planning your long-term career pathway, this practical guide gives you the tools, confidence and strategies to succeed.
Written by an experienced NHS Recruitment and Retention Lead with more than 30 years in nursing and education, this book helps you stand out in a competitive healthcare environment and take control of your future career.
Inside this book, you will learn how to:- Write powerful applications and personal statements
- Prepare confidently for interviews and assessment processes
- Understand career pathways, bands and progression opportunities
- Build a professional portfolio that showcases your strengths
- Turn challenges and setbacks into career growth
- Develop the confidence to influence practice and lead change
- Make your achievements visible and advance your career
Perfect for:- Student nurses and midwives
- Newly qualified practitioners
- Nurses and midwives seeking promotion or career progression
- Anyone wanting to feel more confident and prepared during the job application process
Why readers love this book:✔ Practical, step-by-step guidance you can apply immediately
✔ Real-world advice from NHS recruitment experience
✔ Easy-to-follow templates, tips and interview planning tools
✔ Encouraging support for building confidence and professional growth
If you’ve ever felt unsure about interviews, applications or the next step in your healthcare career, this book will help you approach opportunities with clarity, preparation and confidence — and give you the skills to progress further in your profession.
Table of Contents:
About the author; Preface; Acknowledgements; Abbreviations
Step 1: Know your career options and what you need to get there
1.1 The importance of choosing the right job and career pathway
1.2 How to choose the right career pathway
1.3 The differences between bands and roles
What to do next
Step 2: Drive your own development
2.1 The importance of lifelong learning to your career development
2.2 Understand how to navigate educational structures
2.3 Training, education and professional development
2.4 Professional development reviews (PDRs)
2.5 Appraisals
2.6 The importance of NMC registration and revalidation
What to do next
Step 3: Support others and influence change in your current role
3.1 Widen your perspective and support others in your current role
3.2 We all have the power to positively influence change in our current role
3.3 Understand the local and national systems in which you work
3.4 Overview of key terms
What to do next
Step 4: Complete a strong application and personal statement
4.1 The importance of a strong application and personal statement
4.2 Your application form
4.3 How to write your personal statement
4.4 Curriculum Vitae (CV) template
4.5 Personal professional portfolio
What to do next
Step 5: Create an interview plan
5.1 The more you prepare, the better chance you have of succeeding
5.2 Different types of interviews
5.3 Create an interview plan
5.4 On the day of the interview
5.5 After the interview
What to do next
Step 6: Move forward positively from challenges
6.1 Learning from your experiences
6.2 Practical advice to help you move forward from challenges
What to do next
Step 7: Make your achievements stand out in the future
7.1 Share what you do and promote your achievements
7.2 Develop a clinical academic career
7.3 Publish your work
What to do next
Index
About the Author :
Carol Forde-Johnston (RGN, BSc (Hons), PGDip, RNT and MSc) is a Divisional Recruitment and Retention Lead in the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Her role involves leading recruitment and retention initiatives and providing structured career advice to all levels of staff, with a particular focus on supporting newly qualified nurses and international nurses. Carol qualified as a registered nurse in 1989 at Coventry School of Nursing and went on to specialise in neurosciences. She worked for 20 years as a lecturer practitioner, a joint appointment between Oxford Brookes University and the local NHS hospital Trust, integrating research, education and clinical practice, and leading a third year nursing degree module and supporting nursing apprenticeships. Carol has published numerous articles relating to education and practice development in nursing and medical journals.
Carol has also been involved in patient improvement initiatives and collaborated with Oxford University on a staff-led quality improvement project to prevent inpatient hospital falls. She passionate about developing and supporting staff and student nurses to improve their confidence and fulfil their future aspirations and is currently studying for a PhD in nursing.
Review :
Highly recommend this book!
'The book is packed with tips and it is obvious the author knows what she is talking about as she shares lots of advice to help the reader prepare future interview questions and personal statements. The two personal statement templates were very helpful for me and can be tweaked to support applications. The best bit for me is that the book inspires and makes me feel I can go on and influence future practice and do the best I can at interview.'
Amazon reviewer
Excellent text for the student nurse in the transition period to becoming a newly registered nurse
'An excellent, succinct, easy to read and digest text for the students in Year 3 of the BSC Hons Nursing programme transitioning to becoming a newly qualified/registered nurse in the UK.'
Amazon reviewer
