The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH), Neonatal Unit in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital and the Children’s Ward in Dr Gray’s Hospital provide acute care for new-born babies, children and young people with a wide variety of health needs. Paediatric Nurses care for patients within acute and community settings. 

With a paediatric nursing qualification, you can work in a range of settings: 

• Wards (e.g. neonatal unit, high dependency unit, medical/surgical ward)
• Departments (e.g. Emergency Department, Day Case Unit,Outpatients) 
• Theatres 
• Child’s own home 
• Schools (primary or secondary) 

Paediatric Nurses care for neonates, children and young people within a variety of settings across Grampian.  With the opportunity for career progression and diversification in: 

• Advanced practice
• Specialist nursing 
• Nursing education 
• Nurse management 
• Health Visiting and School Nursing 

I would like to become a Paediatric Nurse 

Practising as a Paediatric Nurse requires a degree from a recognised educational institution.  Training in Aberdeen is available from Robert Gordon University, however the course is widely available across Scotland.  Please visit the following sites for more details Glasgow Caledonian University, Edinburgh Napier University, University of Dundee 

If you do not currently have the entry requirements to access degree level training, Access to Nursing courses are available at North East Scotland College. Robert Gordon University also provide a Nursing Summer School.  

I am currently training to be a Paediatric Nurse 

Prior to completion of your nursing qualification, you can apply to work on the NHS Grampian Nurse Bank as a Health Care Support Worker.  This will provide you with valuable experience within a clinical setting before taking up a Registered Nursing post.  You can apply for these positions via NHS Scotland Recruitment website. 

There are a wide variety of posts available across NHS Grampian and we welcome newly qualified staff nurses.  If you are studying at Robert Gordon University you will get the opportunity to meet clinical staff in your third year and interviews for posts will be arranged through the University. In Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Unit, we provide a 2-year development programme where you will have the opportunity to choose your areas of preference to work in. 

I am a qualified Paediatric Nurse and considering a move to Grampian 

Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Neonatal Unit and the Children's Ward provide a wide variety of career options in several specialties including: 

• High Dependency nursing 
• Neonatal nursing 
• Allergy and Immunology 
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Diabetes and Endocrinology 
• Epilepsy 
• Gastroenterology and Metabolic 
• Oncology 
• Pain 
• Respiratory 
• Rheumatology 
• Renal 
• Urology 

Archie Foundation

Children's Services across Grampian are lucky to be supported by the Archie Foundation. We also have a new dedicated website Welcome to RACH.

Magnet Designation Plans for RACH  

The Magnet Recognition Program® is an internationally renowned framework for nursing excellence, which benefits the whole of an organisation. Designation is awarded by The American Nurses Credentialing Centre (ANCC).  

RACH is currently an applicant for Magnet Designation. We will submit all our evidence for consideration by the ANCC by the 1st April 2025. Therefore, by the end of 2025 we will know if we have been successful. 

Why are we applying to be a Magnet Hospital? 

• Provides a framework for nursing excellence ​based on research 
• To attract and retain staff​ ​by enhancing staff satisfaction 
• Provide evidence of exemplary clinical care  
• Excel in patient experience 
• Benefits the whole organisation ​ 
• Recognised internationally for nursing excellence  

Read more about NHS Grampian's pursuit towards ANCC Magnet® and Pathway to Excellence® Recognition here.

Return to Pracitce

I am a qualified Paediatric Nurse but it’s been some years since I practised, am I able to return to work? 

NHS Grampian and Robert Gordon University have developed a course for nurses whose registration has lapsed to help them return to practice.  The short, fully funded course prepares staff for re-joining the NMC register and enables nurses to return to their field of practice in a safe and confident manner. 

Career Development and Flying Start

Flying Start NHS® is a national development programme for newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. It aims to support your learning and build your confidence during your first year of practice in NHS Scotland. It will do this by assisting you to navigate to the Foundation gateway of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework 'Agenda for Change'. After completing Flying Start NHS® newly qualified practitioners would be expected to participate in ongoing Continuing Professional Development. 

Benefits for newly qualified practitioners include: 

• Offers a learner-directed solution to finding information and making sense of a complex environment 
• Guides and supports the transition from student to qualified practitioner 
• Links to the NHS KSF development review cycle 
• Supports the development of skills for lifelong learning and CPD 
• Offers practical advice on how to manage portfolios and PDPs within NHS Scotland 
• Gives access to up-to-date material, useful websites and national policy and developments 
• Decreases feelings of isolation through the on-line forum, Flying Start Community and Ask a Mentor functions 
• Draws and builds on the learning skills developed as pre-registration or undergraduate student 
• Increased understanding of the role of other health and social care professionals and partners 

 Effective Practitioner 

Effective Practitioner is a national initiative providing work-based learning resources and support for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in Scotland. It assists Practitioners and Senior Practitioners to deliver the 2020 vision and meet the Quality Ambitions of Person Centred, Safe and Effective Care. The Effective Practitioner website provides the online foundation for wider work-based support. 

 

Published: 06/11/2024 21:05