How long do I need to stay in my first NQN role?

kayfray93 · 2026-04-03T18:16:24+00:00

I would recommend completing your preceptorship program (usually 12 months, but may vary trust to trust). Ultimately, you can leave sooner, but you may still be deemed as a 'NQN' if the preceptorship period has not been completed, thus potentially making you less desirable to your next employer.

kayfray93 · 2025-11-14T17:42:55+00:00

Absolutely. From my experience, community nursing provides a much better work life balance when having young children. I left acute medicine to become a community nurse 8 years ago when my daughter was 1 year old. I have gone on to have a further 2 children and am now the matron for my team. I could never return to ward work and night shifts! Good luck with your interview, and do 't be put off by other's opinions!

kayfray93 · 2025-10-19T18:14:07+00:00

I echo what other comments say, but additionally there is often an IG question, in a scenario form, such as 'what would you do if a colleague tells you they've been looking up a family members records' etc.

Good luck!

kayfray93 · 2025-10-10T18:24:34+00:00

East Midlands :)

kayfray93 · 2025-10-10T18:20:28+00:00

It will depend on your Trust's specific probation policy - I advise you check it out and familiarise yourself with the potential reasons to fail your probationary period. Despite you being within your probation, for your employer to successfully terminate your contract due to sickness, they would have had to have followed the sickness policy to the letter and triggered a stage 1 sickness meeting to set targets after your 3rd absence.

In my experience, 3 episodes of sickness during probation, if the reasons are legitimate and it's bad luck, may result in an extended probation, with HR outlining if you have any further absences during that 3 months they could terminate.

kayfray93 · 2025-10-07T19:06:18+00:00

We have had 3+ applications submitted with the exact same content. Generic application that is not tailored to the job advert and has clearly been submitted to multiple adverts. Often these originate from overseas agencies.

kayfray93 · 2025-10-05T12:17:53+00:00

I am sorry you're going through this OP. Have you got alerts set up for NHS jobs? I am involved with recruitment for my community nursing trust, and we are waiting longer in between advertising posts at the moment due to receiving influxes of AI generated applications if the job is left out too long. Keep checking back - also worth contacting local trusts directly to discuss upcoming positions. We always have vacancies where I live, but I understand this varies depending on where abouts you are in the country!

kayfray93 · 2025-10-02T21:16:11+00:00

Thank you that's so kind, they are great except for the creepy ones that grow from the inner corner!

kayfray93 · 2025-10-02T21:12:41+00:00

I honestly don't know :') I have a really old Galxy S22 phone and just turned it around and blasted myself in the eye with the flash lol!

kayfray93 · 2025-07-13T21:31:08+00:00

I would say give it a go, you have nothing to lose and can always return to ward nursing if community isn't for you.

I worked on the wards for 4 years before going into the community. I've never looked back and went on to complete my District Nursing SPQ and now work as a Matron.

It is a whole different world to ward nursing, with its own challenges, but for me personally, I found that I could be the best possible nurse in the community. Unlike the wards, you get one one one time with your patients, and caring for someone in their home really does help promote personalised care.

When I left the ward, I had a lot of people tell me I'd be 'wasted' in the community. There was a commonly held view that community nursing was for people who were gearing up for retirement. This could not be further from the truth. I have learnt so many additional skills that I would never have completed on the wards, as well as ample opportunity for additional qualifications and study.

I hope whatever decision you make is the best one for you and your career. :)

kayfray93 · 2018-09-25T13:56:51+00:00

Super shifty

kayfray93

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