‘We are the NHS’ campaign shines a light on what it’s really like to work in the NHS

National Careers Week (NCW) celebrates career guidance foryoung people across the country, helping them to explore different career pathsthat match their interests. NCW provides a focus for careers guidance at animportant stage in the academic calendar to ensure students get an insight intothe future of work.

As this year’sNCW commences, the ‘We are the NHS’ campaign champions theextraordinary work of nurses, allied health professionals and healthcaresupport workers to inspire a new generation to embark on a career in the healthservice. Recruitment for theNHS has never been more vital. COVID-19 has increased interest in theincredibly rewarding careers available within the NHS with 5.1 million peopleaccessing the NHS careers website during the pandemic; a 41% increase comparedto the same period in 2019. 

The campaign features real NHS workers, who areproud to showcase what it is about their role they love the most, and theopportunities available from a career in the NHS. The campaign shines a lighton some of the most in-demand roles and what it’s really like to work in theNHS. Nurses, allied healthprofessionals and healthcare support workers touch the lives of thousands,providing expertise, care and compassion when it matters most.

Graduate Urwa Mogul recently joined Royal PapworthHospital NHS Foundation Trust as a Healthcare Support Worker. “There are no setentry requirements to becoming a healthcare support worker, apart from goodliteracy and numeracy skills,” says Urwa. “You can choose which area you workin, anything from mental health to childcare; I wanted to gain clinicalexperience therefore, opted for a hospital-based role supporting patients andmanaging daily activities.”

Urwa believes it’s important to be caring and compassionate whenworking in the NHS due to the regular patient interaction. “Another vital skillis working efficiently and effectively with your team members as patient carecan only be of the highest standard and in return you have access toworld-class training,” shares Urwa. “I love my job and find it extremelygratifying. This is my first full-time role and I have gained so much clinicalexperience by working with other HCSW’s, Nurses, Doctors, Physiologists andPhysiotherapists.”

RahilahBukhari is the Orthoptic Casualty Lead at the UniversityHospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, where she works hard to provide exceptional eye care.This involves attending eye casualty, completing all necessary investigations,and liaising with the Senior Eye Casualty Doctor to determine the treatment andclinical outcome for the patient.

“There are so many different careers that you cantake with the NHS,” says Rahilah. “There are face to face roles but alsocrucial background roles. If you’re looking for work-life balance, you can findthat with the NHS. Most importantly, there is ample opportunity to progressboth personally and professionally - the NHS offers it all.”

Registered Nurse Varsha Carim, from Guy’s and StThomas’ NHS Foundation Trust appreciates the diversity of the NHS. "Ienjoy communicating with people from different cultures,” says Varsha."There is so much diversity in the NHS and being multilingual helps meprovide patients with the holistic care they deserve.”

Whether you’rea school leaver, recent graduate or simply looking for a new challenge, thereare many fulfilling roles available within the NHS that will allow you to makea real difference. To learn more about the campaign, search #WeAreTheNHS orvisit NHS Careers to discover the range of roles currently available.