Community nursery nurses provide services aimed at improving the health and well-being of families with children up to the age of eight.
As a community nursery nurse, you would first work closely with a health visitor to assess a family's care needs. You would then work with the family, following an agreed care or play plan.
Your clients could include:
- Families with sick children
- Families with mental health, addiction or disability issues
- Children in need of protection
You would offer support both in clinics, community centres or GP surgeries, and in clients' homes.
Your tasks could include:
You would keep records of your work, and attend staff meetings, case conferences and reviews.
As a full-time community nursery nurse, you would usually work 37.5 hours a week. Part-time posts are often available.
You would work in a variety of community settings, such as the client's own home, clinics, community centres or GP's surgeries.
Although the work is rewarding, you would need to be prepared to deal with challenging situations (such as verbal aggression or parents who are uncooperative) and with issues which could be distressing (for example domestic violence or bereavement).
Community nursery nurses can earn from around £17,500 to around £21,500 a year.
Additional payments may be made to those working in or around London.
You will find most job opportunities within health visiting teams run by your local NHS Primary Care Trust. Many vacancies are advertised through the NHS Jobs website, as well as in the national and local press.
To become a community nursery nurse you will need:
You will also needCriminal Records Bureau (CRB)clearance.
You may also need experience in a variety of settings and with families who need support.
Suitable nursery nursing qualifications include:
BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education.
NVQ Level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development (you would usually need to arrange a work placement).
Entry requirements can vary, so you should check with course providers.
See the Nursery Nurse job guide for further details of qualifying and working as a nursery nurse.
Once you start work, you will receive training from your employer covering issues such as:
- Child protection
- Basic life support
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Health and safety
- Risk management
You will be expected to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career. You could do this by taking further training in subjects such as:
You may also be able to work towards NVQ Level 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development.
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They are employed in a wide range of scientific fields which affect almost every aspect of our lives.
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A community nursery nurse needs:
With experience and qualifications, such as an NVQ Level 4 in Children's Care, Learning and Development, you could move outside the NHS into nursery or play centre management.
You could also go on to set up your own nursery. See the Ofsted and National Day Nursery Association websites for details.
As a community nursery nurse, you will also have a basis for further training for a career in social work, family support work, health promotion and hospital play.
Skills for Health,
Goldsmiths House,
Broad Plain,
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
Website:
www.skillsforhealth.org.uk
NHS Careers,
PO Box 376 Bristol BS99 3EY
Tel: 0345 60 60 655
Website:
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
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