How to apply

Need some help with your application? This is our guide on how to apply and the next steps.

Searching for positions

To search for current roles within the Royal College of Nursing, use our search and apply function. Using the search criteria drop down menus you can search in many different ways:

ref - if you know the reference number of the vacancy
location - to search our jobs in your area of the country
area of work - to view jobs in a particular specialism
free text - to search for key words in the vacancy description.

Email alerts

From the search results page, you can register for email alerts. By entering your email address, the system will send you an email when roles that match your location or job category are advertised. So if you don’t see something suitable for you right now register for our email alerts and let the vacancies come to you.

More details about the vacancy

Once you have carried out a search and the results are displayed, you need to click on the job title to find out more about the vacancy.

Applying for a job

Once you have reviewed the vacancy details, at the bottom of the page you will have three options:

read more by viewing the job description and person specification - you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open this document - see how to access PDF files.
apply online – this will take you to the online application form
email these details to a friend - this allows you to send the vacancy details to anyone you think may be interested in the role. You will be able to add their email address and yours. The email will then contain a link to the position so they can apply straight away.

Completing the application form

By choosing Apply online, you will be taken through to the application form which is in five sections. You may logout and come back later to finish the application if you wish:

to start your application choose OK
if you have previously registered or applied for a job then choose Login
if you have not registered online with the Royal College of Nursing before, you will be asked to register some basic information to create your account. Once this is saved, you will be taken to the application form you need to complete before submitting
if you have already applied online, or have created an account online through registering for alerts - you can simply enter your email address and password to login.

Any personal information you have previously completed will be pulled through to the new application form.

Writing your application

It is crucial to have the right content on your form - for example, information that is relevant to the job and includes plenty of appropriate examples. You should also want to make sure your content is presented clearly and effectively. Here are a few writing guidelines to bear in mind:

use plenty of appropriate examples to support your criteria
use clear, plain English - avoid using jargon or overly academic language
keep your sentences short - two shorter sentences are generally clearer than one very long one
read it back to yourself - does what you have written make sense? Are your points clear and easy to understand?
check, check and check again - if you can, give your form the ‘overnight test’ and go back to it again the next day and read it with fresh eyes. It can also be useful to get someone else to read it for you. And remember to do a spell check.

When applying for a position read the job description and the person specification for the job extremely carefully – and try to match your skills and experience with the essential and desirable criteria. Always tailor your form to the job at hand, and pay particular attention to the supporting statement section.

The supporting statement section of the application form gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the relevant skills and experience you bring to the role. You will need to relate your skills and experience to each of the criteria detailed in the person specification.

Once you have completed all sections, a Submit here button will appear allowing you to submit your application form.

Remember, you can come back to the application form at any time via the login page once you have created an account, to change contact details or complete the form at a later date.

The shortlisting process

Once a vacancy has closed, all completed applications will be sent to the shortlisting panel. We aim to complete shortlisting within 14 days of the vacancy closing. You will be contacted by email informing you of the outcome of your application.

If you are invited to interview, the email will contain more information about the interview including details of any tests of presentations along with a list of satisfactory work eligibility documents to bring with you. The recruitment team will also contact you to confirm the date, time and location of the interview.

If you are not invited to interview you will also receive an email. However, due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide feedback on your application unless this is specifically requested to the chair of the shortlisting panel.

Interviews

Interviews are a two-way process for us to explore further your suitability for the role and offer you the opportunity to expand on the skills and experience outlined in your application. We aim to give candidates at least five working days notice of the interview date. Your invitation to interview email will contain all the information you will need for your interview.

After the interview

All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their interview and we aim to do this as soon as possible. However, this can sometimes be a few days after the interviews.

Candidates who are not successful at interview stage can receive feedback.

All offers of employment at the Royal College of Nursing are made subject to receipt of satisfactory references and occupational health clearance. Under the Asylum and Immigration Act, we are required to check that anyone taking up employment with us has the legal right to work in the UK.

All successful applicants will, therefore, be asked to provide us with documentary evidence to support their entitlement to work in the UK prior to taking up employment. All confirmed appointments are subject to a six month probation period.