Staff Nurse - SADU

University Hospitals Dorset; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Staff Nurse for the Day Surgery Services (SADU) at Bournemouth site. The role is 37.5 hours per week, fixed-term or secondment for 14 months. The post involves admitting patients for theatre, perioperative care, and discharge under nurse-led criteria.

Training and development for Day Surgery expansion are part of the role. Applicants should have significant surgical nursing experience, excellent communication skills, and registration

Qualifications

• NMC registration required and current nursing eligibility.
• Advanced Diploma or Degree in Adult Health Nursing.
• Experience in Day Surgery or Surgery is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Admit and prepare patients for theatre.
• Care for patients post-operatively and discharge under nurse-led criteria.
• Support development and expansion of the Day Surgery Service.

Skills

Vital signs monitoring

Venepuncture

ECG

Medication administration

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Advanced Diploma/Degree in Adult Health Nursing

Job description

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

We are currently looking for a Staff Nurse to join the progressive and dedicated Day Surgery Services team at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, based on SADU at the Bournemouth site for 37.5 hours per week. This is a fixed term or secondment post for 14 months.

SADU (previously Ward 9) incorporates an Admission Unit and Day Surgery services. The service is currently open Mon to Fri 07:00-21:00.
The successful candidate will be responsible for admitting and preparing patients for theatre ensuring that local policy is adhered to, caring for patients post-operatively and discharging patients under the nurse led discharge criteria. Once in post, they will be a key stakeholder in the development and expansion of the Day Surgery Service with the ultimate aim of enhancing the patient’s experience.

The successful candidate will require significant experience within general surgical/orthopaedic nursing; have excellent communication skills and a commitment to maintaining and developing high standards. Previous experience in a Day Surgery setting is not essential as there is an opportunity for further training, although a surgical background is preferred.

For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust’s Secondment Policy.

Interview: 26th November 2026

Please note that we are able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Main duties of the job

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Working for our organisation

UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.

This service has a planned move from Bournemouth site to Poole site in Spring 2027.

If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.

UHD has active networks including Women’s, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.

AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.

For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust’s Secondment Policy.

Please note that we are able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.

Person specification

• Demonstrable ability with vital signs monitoring equipment and ability to recognise the deteriorating patient
• Venepuncture and cannulation
• ECG's
• Medications management competency: IV and IV medication administration including administration of blood products

Experience

• Demonstrable experience working in Day Surgery/Surgery/Orthopaedics
• Experience of recovery and pre assessment

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Nurse
• Advanced Diploma/Degree in Adult Health Nursing Studie

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.