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If you are a Year 12 student or older and are thinking of a career in mental health, then we can offer you work experience. Work experience aims to provide you with experience of how the NHS Trust functions from both a support and clinical point of view. Work experience is for two days (usually consecutive days and in the same setting) and is unpaid. The placements range from clinical settings on a mental health ward to offices and reception areas. We can offer two days in a clinical setting in Nuneaton for those between 17 and 18 and if you are aged 18+ we can offer two days in Coventry at the Caludon Centre or Warwick at St Michael’s Hospital. Admin placements for Year 12 students are from two days to a week and could be anywhere in the Trust within Warwickshire providing there is availability. We will try our best to match your requirements to the placements which we offer but this will not be guaranteed. Please note that some departments do have age restrictions.

For more information, get in touch via work.experience@covwarkpt.nhs.uk

We are pleased to announce a joint pilot scheme between Coventry University and our Trust, offering great opportunities to gain caring experience prior to joining a nursing degree course.

Nursing is a rewarding and demanding profession which requires a broad set of skills, knowledge and attitudes and we are looking for candidates with potential to develop these. Coventry University wish to select people who have insight into caring professional roles, which is why we look for experience.

This scheme provides the opportunity for people who are considering a degree in Nursing, leading to professional registration, to gain valuable experience for around six months before joining a course in either; Adult, Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing. This is through paid employment as a Health Care Assistant based in the Coventry region.

What the scheme is like

Candidates who have joined the scheme to date are enjoying the variety and support from both our Trust and the University. Sophie Volbracht, one of our current students, said:

“I would certainly recommend applying for the pre-degree university scheme as it provides you with the experience required to confirm whether nursing is the vocation for you. Being placed in the community has allowed me to meet and care for various individuals, all of whom I have thoroughly enjoyed providing care for and found very rewarding. You are able to work closely with experienced and qualified members of staff, who assist you with their knowledge and support if ever required. There are also various opportunities to attend training courses and aid other services within the Trust to acquire a wealth of knowledge, preparing you for your nursing degree. It has allowed me to gain and develop confidence in the basic but essential skills required for nursing and I have found the experience invaluable”.

What the degree course is like

You can find out more about these fields of nursing by looking at the specific course pages for BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing or BSc(Hons) Learning Disabilities Nursing, or attending Coventry University Open Days.

When the courses start

• Adult Nursing: February and September. If you are interested in this opportunity please contact Carol Finn, Practice Development Lead, or Sue Cresswell, Admissions Tutor.
• Mental Health or Learning Disability Nursing: September only. If you are interested in these opportunities, please contact the Faculty Admissions Office, 024 7765 5957.