Trainee School Nurse (Annex 21)

NHS Borders; Melrose; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS Borders invites experienced nurses and midwives to apply for a Trainee School Nurse position. The one-year training, starting January 2027, is run by NHS Borders and Queen Margaret University and includes a full practice placement.

On successful completion and registration on the NMC, you will automatically progress to a Band 7 School Nurse. The post offers a clear career pathway within NHS Borders, with consolidation of practice for two years post-qualification.

Qualifications

• Nurse or midwife with registration and experience applicable to school nursing.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD activity and leadership capabilities.
• Undertake practice placement alongside academic study.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to safeguarding and child health initiatives.
• Coordinate caseloads and provide school-based health support.
• Participate in the one-year training and complete the PG Diploma.

Skills

Nursing

Caseload management

Leadership

Education

NMC registration

Postgraduate Diploma: School Nursing (Level 11)

Job description

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT NHS SCOTLAND STAFF

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Compassion Kindness Integrity Teamwork Excellence

Trainee School Nurse Opportunity

One year training, commencing in January 2027, facilitated by NHS Borders and Queen Margaret University (QMU)

Leading to a permanent Band 7, School Nurse post on successful completion (Annex 21 applies over training year*)

36 hours during the training year, reducing to 26.5 hours on successful completion of the course

An exciting opportunity for experienced nurses and midwives who are keen to pursue a career in school nursing and improve outcomes for children and their families. Successful applicants will commit to a permanent post that entails one-year of full-time study to undertake the Post Graduate Diploma: School Nursing (Person Centred Practice) (level 11) at QMU, Edinburgh, alongside practice placement in NHS Borders. On completion of the programme and registration on Level 3 of the NMC register, you will automatically progress to a Band 7 school nursing. Successful graduates will be expected to consolidate practice within NHS Borders for two years post registration.

Standard Entry

If an applicant has obtained a relevant degree within the last 5 years at the time of applying, then this meets the academic criteria for Standard Entry to the programme

Non-standard Entry Options

• If an applicant has obtained a degree more than 5 years ago at the time of applying but has successfully completed further academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, then this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has obtained a degree more than 10 years ago but has completed Scottish level 11 study within the last 5 years then this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has no degree but has successfully completed other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent within the last 5 years, this meets the criteria for Non-standard Entry to the programme.
• If an applicant has obtained a degree or other academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, more than 10 years ago, then a discussion with the Admissions Tutor and health board recruiting manager is required prior to applying.

Stand Alone Module

If an applicant has no degree and has not completed any academic study at Scottish level 11 or equivalent, they will be required to complete the 20 credit stand-alone module from the programme, “Ethical Judgements and Decision Making”, the current cost of this module is £1145. The health board may be able to advise on available funding opportunities to offset this cost.

The supporting statement in part one of the application must include: your understanding of the School Nurse role and evidence of appropriate transferable skills, experience and supporting CPD activity, including leadership and caseload management plus your motivation and rationale for applying to become a school nurse and to study at master’s level.

• Please ensure that one of the two references requested is your line manager
• Current academic status must be included in part 3 of the application to enable it to be assessed and progressed by QMU. This should include, for each qualification: the name of the academic qualification (do not include standard grade or Highers), the level of study e.g., Scottish level 9, 10 or 11 and the year the qualification was obtained. Any prior discussion and agreed outcome with QMU about academic credit rating must also be documented
• If called for interview you will submit a 1500-word admissions essay (submit to )
• If selected, you will be required to complete a short online application to QMU so that they can formally offer you a place on the academic programme.
• Trainees follow the University calendar for all holidays during the course and cannot take leave out with this. Normal NHS leave is suspended during training.

For further information contact: Jan Grieve, CNM: Lisa Luhanga, Admissions Tutor:

• Please note this is a Trainee post, therefore Annex 21 applies:

For Trainees Covered By Annex 21 Where The Period Of Training Lasts For Between One And Four Years, Pay Will Be As Follows

• up to 12 months prior to completion of training: 75 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate;
• more than one but less than two years prior to completion of training: 70 per cent of the pay band maximum of the qualified rate of the qualified;
• more than two but less than three years prior to completion of training: 65 per cent of the pay band maximum for the qualified rate.
• more than three years from completion of training: 60 per cent of the pay band maximum of the fully qualified rate.

For further guidance on Annex 21 please follow this link:

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step into a more senior role, NHS Borders offers a supportive environment where you can grow, influence change, and make a real impact.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licensed Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be found.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsoredBEFORE submitting your application form

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can be great for planning and preparing your application but your answers must be your own.

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI-generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand younot an AI tool.