Careers Advisory Service Options Nursing
May 2017
www.tcd.ie/Careers
Dear ‘Soon to be Graduates’!!
Well done – you are getting close to completion and although we know most of you are very busy on
internship, it is important to congratulate yourself on getting this far and try not to be too daunted by the
next step; we are here to support you. You have options and what is the best choice for you deserves
time and attention.
In this newsletter we have included the recent memo from the HSE regarding Permanent Contracts, some
specific advice on Nursing & Midwifery CVs and also, some tips and skills for doing the best possible
interview. We have also gathered some feedback and advice from your predecessors; recent graduates of
TCD, in order to try and smooth your transition from student/intern to fully fledged graduate and
employee.
Also, check out the article on what it is like to work with the International Red Cross. It can be really
useful to listen to other people’s career experiences, their thoughts and plans can sometimes help you
understand more clearly what will be the best next step for you.
Whatever you choose as your next step, your learning doesn’t stop now. All of the hospitals in Ireland
state that they are firmly committed to the on-going professional development of their nursing and
midwifery staff and this can be demonstrated by the breadth and depth of courses available as well as the
study leave and funding opportunities which exist. So do your homework to see what is available to you!
Of course, you possibly have many of your own ideas and plans that you would like to discuss, so always
remember if you would like to come and chat with us you can get in touch to make an appointment (01
896 1721 / [email protected]) – we are open all summer and you can also use our services when you finish
your internship.
I hope this newsletter, along with all the other services on offer here in College help you transition into
this new chapter in your life smoothly and happily!
Best of luck,
Sarah Jones
Career Consultant
Q. How did you feel coming up to the end of your
final year in Nursing?
Q. Would you like to do anything different next
year or in the future?
I felt that I had gained confidence in my nursing skills
and in my abilities to care for my patients. I also felt
quite nervous about making the transition to becoming a
staff nurse and having sole responsibility for patients.
But I was definitely glad to be coming to the end of all
the studying and training and was looking forward to
entering into full time employment and earning a
somewhat decent salary.
My main goal for the future is to travel and work abroad
somewhere. I will realistically stay in my current job for a
year anyways to get some experience and will then look
to move on somewhere. Whether to London, Canada or
Australia I haven't figured that part out yet.
Q. What was your experience with applying for
jobs and interviews?
I only applied for a job in one hospital and submitted my
CV to another one and was called for interview for both.
There seems to be jobs available in all the hospitals in
Dublin at the moment, which is great for nurses just
finishing. The interview process was a little intimidating
as you are being questioned by a panel of 2 or 3 people. I
would recommend doing a mock interview and having
some answers ready for the day, just to be prepared in
case the nerves take over. I found the careers advisory
service great for helping with that.
Q. Have you any advice for current final years?
My advice would be to try and take advantage of, and
even seek out new learning opportunities as much as
you can while an intern. As a staff nurse you are often
expected to know how to do a lot of basic procedures
which you may never have gotten a chance to perform
during your training. So take the 9 months and try to tick
off all the things you have yet to achieve whether it's
changing a dressing, removing a drain or placing an NG.
Internship goes by so fast, so make the most of it!
Q. How did you make your decision on which job
to choose or where to apply?
I applied for a job in the hospital I trained in which made
that process a little easier because the staff there could
provide information on how to get through the process.
However, I ultimately took a job in a different hospital,
one which I had done some placement on as a student,
and had really enjoyed. I did find it very hard to choose
between the two jobs when I was lucky enough to get
offered both, as it was hard to walk away from the
hospital I had trained in where I knew how things
worked and knew the staff. But in the end I just wanted
a change and wanted to try something new, and if it
didn't work out at least I would have tried.
THE TRINITY
CAREERS SERVICE
GUIDE
Pick up your copy
today in the Careers
Advisory Service
Page 3
Make sure to answer the recruiter’s key question: ‘Why should I call you to interview?’ Always compose a new letter
specifically for each job and tailor it to show you researched the organisation you are applying to.
The standard format of the covering letter, no longer than one sheet of A4 paper, is as follows:
 The opening paragraph explains who you are and why you are writing (include the work/postgraduate course for
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which you are applying for).
The second paragraph indicates why you are suitable and interested in this opportunity . Demonstrate an
understanding of what the job/course is likely to involve by highlighting relevant achievements, qualities and
experience. Mention your experience of being on placement in that hospital if applicable.
Use the covering letter to explain any recent gaps or anomalies in your CV.
The concluding paragraph summarises your suitability and looks for an opportunity to meet
with the recruiter.
Remember to type or print your name underneath your signature, if applying in hard copy.
Address the letter to a particular person by name.
Finally, seek feedback on draft forms, letters or CVs from your careers adviser, supervisors and
mentors.
The Careers Advisory Service website www.tcd.ie/careers has information on how to prepare
your CV and covering letter as well as links to relevant websites.
F
or the employer to consider you a relevant candidate you need to match your application to their needs, ie
demonstrate your skills, qualities and achievements through your education, work, extracurricular activities and
volunteering.
Presentation
A good CV:
 is visually appealing, clear and concise with sufficient white space, preferably using a minimum of 12-point type;
there is no need to bind it or to use a fancy cover
 is two pages only and tailored to the job for which you are applying, unless the employer specifies otherwise (e.g.
a one page resume, see www.tcd.ie/careers for details)
 highlights important parts; bullet points work better than paragraphs of text
 showcases your placement experience and any additional work or volunteer experience you might have.
An example of a combination CV is given on page 30 of “The Trinity Careers Service Guide” but see the website for
other formats.
CVs for overseas employment
When applying for a job overseas, ensure the style and content are appropriate for that country. Access the ‘Going
Global’ website resource from www.tcd.ie/careers for relevant samples.
Your personal circumstances
If you are a mature student, a student with a disability, someone who repeated a year, or if you have some other
consideration, your careers adviser is here to assist you in presenting your experience to its full potential. Make an
appointment by calling the office on 01 896 1721 or emailing [email protected].
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1. Personal details:
2. Career objective / personal profile (optional)
Keep them brief and make sure they don’t take up too
much space, for example why not put your email address
& mobile number in the header. Your name should be
what jumps out at the reader followed by your interesting
Career Objective, degree & experience.
This identifies in a concise way what you are aiming
for at this stage and what skills and qualities you
have to offer in relation to your objective. It is useful
to confirm your interest in a specific job or target a
particular employment sector.
3. Education & Clinical Placements
 Give the full title of your degree, awarding body and
expected / average result to date.
 Give the title of your project/thesis and elaborate if
relevant.
 Detail your clinical placements by date, hospital name
and key learnings.
 Put your most recent placement first.
 You can include your Leaving Certificate results if you
wish but keep them brief.
 Refer to achievements, skills or learning outcomes you
have gained from your studies & placements.
4. Additional experience (including voluntary,
interests and achievements)
 Begin with the most recent job / voluntary experience.
 Employers can be interested in any work experience, if it
showcases transferable skills.
 Give evidence of what you have achieved and how you
have made a difference. Did you take on extra
responsibilities? What did you learn? Did you receive
training?
5. Referees
 Present your interests, voluntary work, involvement in
clubs and societies as you do your work experience; this
gives it value.
 Appropriate use of language is important. Positive words
and action verbs should be used, e.g. ‘Managed...’ rather
than ‘Left in charge of...’.
 Provide details of how you reached decisions, planned
activities and worked with others to achieve results.
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Get permission before you use someone as a
referee and include one academic referee and one
work-related referee (or a second academic if
applying for a postgraduate programme). Include
name, job title, address, email and telephone
number. Brief your referees on the position(s) you
are applying for so that they provide evidence of
the skills you have mentioned in your CV.
M
aking a good impression is key. You have done all the hard work to get to this stage, now follow a
few simple guidelines to ensure you put your best foot forward. If you would like to have a trial
run and are interested in booking in for a Practice Interview with us, just drop us a line on
[email protected] or 01 896 1271.
1. Be Early
It will mean you are not stressed
and therefore help you to make
a good impression
4. Firm Handshake
It shows you are confident and
professional in a business
environment
2. Phone Off
Very important to be
professional
3. Smile
As soon as you enter the
building give people a warm
smile and full eye contact
5. Know their Business
Do as much research on the
hospital or organisation before
hand, even if they don’t quiz
you on it, it’ll give you
confidence
6. Know the Role
Show that you understand what
they are looking for and
highlight things you have done
or are interested in that match
up
7. Body Language
Be confident and open in your posture –
no crossed arms or slouched shoulders!
8. Listen
Make sure to listen to the question in
order to stay on track with your answer.
It’s fine to clarify exactly what they
meant if you’re not sure
9. Use practiced examples
Don’t try and come up with examples on the spot;
come prepared with a number of stories that show
off your skills (See STAR framework overleaf)
10. Conclude
Through asking a question or summarising your
enthusiasm make sure to conclude the interview
confidently and leave the interviewers aware of
how keen you are for the job!
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Be a STAR candidate
A useful framework to help you with answering competency questions at interview is the STAR
approach.
Having a number of these ‘STAR’ examples going into the interview, each one showing off a different
competency will really show off your skills. If you get a ‘leadership’ question, for example ‘Can you tell me
about a time when you have really drawn upon your leadership skills?’, you can utilise your ‘STAR’ Leadership
story... Have one prepared for each competency you think is appropriate to the job you applying for, e.g.
Teamwork, Communication etc.
1. Situation - Paint a picture of the
example you are going to use. What
was the context? Describe the
situation briefly
2. Task - What was your objective?
What was the problem or challenge?
4. Result - What was the outcome and
how did you improve the situation? What
would you do differently the next time?
3. Action - What actions did you take to
achieve your goal? Be explicit about your role
and the skills used. This is where you will score
the points so be clear and succinct about what
you did!
Top tip: The best way to get your STAR examples tip top is to practice them out
loud. Use a mirror, a friend or let us organise a ‘Practice Interview’ for you
where we can let you watch yourself back on screen and give you tips for
improving your style.
Page 7
Many student nurses are inspired by organisations such as the Red Cross, whose medical staff work in difficult
conditions to provide essential care for the victims of armed conflict. But how do you go from being a young
graduate to saving lives in a war zone? Amanda Baumgartner-Henley, Head Nurse at the International Committee
of the Red Cross, shares her story.
‘I always wanted to be a nurse, since I was a little girl. After finished my training I decided to specialise in Operating
Theatre Nursing and it was several years later, when I visited India and Lebanon with a surgeon, that I became
really interested in working overseas,’ she explains.
With this in mind, Amanda undertook a Diploma in Tropical Nursing at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine and then gained further experience as an agency nurse in London.
‘This gave me excellent exposure to areas such as burns, obstetrics, pediatrics and trauma surgery, all of which
would prove to be very relevant for working in conflict affected areas,’ she says.
Her first job with the ICRC was as a theatre nurse in Lokichoggio, Kenya, where the organisation had set up a field
hospital to care for the war-wounded from neighbouring Sudan. There were around 600 patients and she was
overseeing three surgical teams as well as being responsible for training South Sudanese nursing students.
One of her abiding memories is of delivering a baby that she was sure would be stillborn.
‘The baby’s arm was out, but the rest of the body was stuck. The mother had been in labour for several days and
was exhausted. After we got the child out by C-section, I was holding her in my arms, sure that she was dead. I’ll
never forget seeing a tiny movement around her mouth – I was so surprised I nearly dropped her!’
Nursing in such harsh environments is certainly demanding.
‘Water, electricity – the entire basic infrastructure – can be extremely limited. You have to think about your
personal security and that of your local counterparts. You might not share a common language and have to work
with an interpreter. Then there are the cultural challenges to take on board. Yet despite all of these differences, the
basic nursing skills are the same.’
Getting a job with the ICRC takes time and planning. The organisation doesn’t employ fresh graduates, as their
staffs need to be able to shoulder a large amount of responsibility from the start. So if you’re interested in working
for the ICRC, you’ll need to gain several years of experience first within a specialisation such as OT, surgical ward,
emergency room, paediatrics or midwifery. Candidates who have worked in developing countries for other
organisations, such as Médecins sans Frontières, will be at a distinct advantage. A Diploma or MSc in Tropical
Nursing is also highly desirable.
You can expect to spend long periods of time away from home
and living conditions can be limited. But you’ll have the chance
to help some of the most disadvantaged people in the world.
Amanda certainly wouldn’t have it any other way
‘It’s an absolute privilege to do this job,’ she says.
Congratulations to all on your impending Graduation!
Nurse on Call have unlimited opportunities for
Newly Qualified Nurses and Midwives nationwide.
RGN’s
Surgical, Medical, ED, ICU, CCU & Theatre etc.
RM’s
Neonatal, Perinatal, Delivery Suite & Gynae etc.
RNID’s Residential Adults, Adolescents, Children & Day Services.
RCN’s
Surgical, Medical, ED, ICU, & Theatre etc.
RPN’s
Acute Mental Health, Residential & Gerontology.
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We have ad hoc shifts, temporary and permanent placements to suit all.
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Work around your lifestyle, be in charge of your own work schedule.
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Try our different locations and settings to gain experience in different aspects of
nursing.
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Walk in interviews no appointment necessary Mon – Fri 8am-5pm.
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Head office 16 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 (just down from Coppers) or check out our
website for other locations for interviews.
CONTACT OUR HR TEAM ON 01 496511 (OPTION 3)
OR EMAIL: [email protected]
Visit our website—www.nurseoncall.ie
Q. How did you feel coming up to the end of your
final year in Nursing?
Very nervous because I wasn't sure what I wanted or
where I wanted to work or what area I actually liked in
nursing. But then I realised that where I chose to work
now I don't have to work forever and I can move
around to different jobs if I find a certain area doesn't
suit me or if I get a particular interest in something.
Ultimately, this job now is just a stepping stone to help
build my confidence and gain experience.
Q. What was your experience with applying for
jobs and interviews?
Very positive experience of job interviews. Everyone is
always very nice and they don't ask very difficult
questions but just want to ascertain that you would be
safe to work in their hospital. Just be prepared. Ask
lecturers or ward managers the kind of questions they
would ask in an interview and build up a portfolio of
possible questions.
Q. Have you any advice for current final years?
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Don't get bogged down about where you're going to
work and who you're going to be working with. Don't
listen to others people’s opinions on different
hospitals and different areas. Choose somewhere
that would suit you.
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Don't settle for somewhere you're not happy in. If
it's not what you want don't just take it for the sake
of having a job. There are loads of jobs out there and
everywhere is looking for nurses; take a job on your
terms.
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Step out of your comfort zone - taking that first big
step is a start of a great career and don't look back
and have any regrets. Even if that means going and
working somewhere where you know no one and
with none of your friends. It may seem difficult at
the start but it will be well worth it.
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The change from intern to staff nurse is a big change
and no matter where you work you will feel extra
pressure and responsibility. Anyone that I have
talked to says it can take 6-12 months before you
really settle into this role. But all areas have great
support with great ward managers, CPCs and clinical
nurse facilitators as well amazing ward staff who all
remember what is what like when they stepped onto
the ward no longer the student in the protection of
the white uniform but as the staff nurse in blue. It is
daunting at the start but soon you will really get into
the swing of things.
Q. How did you make your decision on which job
to choose or where to apply?
I wanted somewhere very busy with high turn over of
patients and an area that had different specialities
where I could gain experience. Also wanted to be in a
children's only hospital but that's just a personal
preference.
Q. Would you like to do anything different next
year or in the future?
I will go travelling after about two years. Would like to
go back and do a masters maybe. I wouldn't see myself
working on the wards forever as a staff nurse. Would
be really interested in education and maybe tutoring or
even nurse facilitator
Blog: blogs.tcd.ie/careers/
Facebook: facebook.com/TCD.Careers.Service
LinkedIn: tinyurl.com/LinkedIn-TCD-Connecting
Twitter: twitter.com/TCDCareers
Pinterest: pinterest.com/TCDCareers
Page 11
1) How did you feel coming up to the end of your
final year in Nursing?
Coming up to the end, I suppose you have a clearer idea
of where you'd like to work, in my case, I knew the
wards definitely weren't for me. I knew I didn't mind
night shifts, I wasn't able for three long days in a row,
and I was clear on my strengths and weaknesses. You
just get more comfortable with yourself, and in your
work. Towards the end, staff nurses start to ask where
you're going to work, why you chose there and when
you're going to finish. So, everyone knows exactly where
you stand, and I found the atmosphere and relations
more positive in work, as I neared the end of my student
years. I can't say I felt nervous about transitioning to
staff nurse, I had seen the support given to newly
qualified students before. Ultimately, I made a pact with
myself never to do something I'm not comfortable with
doing alone, to ask questions where I am unsure, and to
read up on things I encountered that I wasn't 100%
familiar with or confident in. I've found doing that has
made the gap between intern and newly qualified staff
nurse a far smaller gap to jump! Genuinely, all the staff
nurses just want you to practice safely, so nothing is
expected of you that's beyond your experience. They'd
prefer it done correctly with help than incorrectly alone,
and I do find staff appreciate honesty and questions. It
shows you care about executing your work safely,
adequately and in timely fashion, and that makes you a
better team member for them to work with.
2) What was your experience of applying for jobs
and interviews?
You are so lucky! There are so many jobs out there. I
went to 3 different interviews, for 3 different hospitals,
for 3 different areas of work, and got them all! The hard
part was picking a place to work, and the great thing is,
you can afford to be picky. Pick the place that pays best,
that has clinical facilitators, lots of training, permanency
and a good name internationally. Pick the wrong one, it
doesn't matter. I did. I fell in love with A&E during my
internship there, and yet chose to work in Paediatric
ICU. It only took 3 days of orientation to realise I'd made
a mistake, and I was transferred to the A&E. Hospitals
would rather move you than lose you where feasible,
and yes I may have gotten lucky, but you're only young
in your careers. Learning what's not for you is just as, if
not more important for your future. There are so many
resources available in college regarding CV and interview
prep. I went to a day lead by CPCs in Tallaght, early into
internship, as part of my reflective module, and it was
brilliant. Be smiley, be nice, be confident, be on time &
know your 5 moments for hand hygiene! I'd recommend
going over some college notes relevant to the care you'll
be giving in the area you're applying to. Basically, do
your homework, because the interviewers can tell! I
started applying in May for jobs and processes started as
early as that so get applying early. Also, start collecting
those certificates of attendance to talks/training days as
Continual professional development is all the rage, and
so are the new, improved rights of medication
administration on the NMBI website. Hint hint!
3) How did you make a decision on which job to
choose or where to apply?
I knew I found children's more enjoyable, so I applied for
The NCH, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, and the
NICU in the Coombe. Those hospitals were close to
where I lived and relevant to my interests throughout
my training. In my general, I preferred surgical to
medical wards. I just found it a little more structured.
Then in my children's internship, I learned that I was
happier in the ED than I was on the wards. I liked
meeting 100 kids in a day. I liked the nursing duties vs all
the time spent on the phone and documenting on the
wards. I liked the adrenaline of an emergency and the
self directed learning required to keep up with all the
new presentations you encounter everyday. Now, I
couldn't imagine going to work in a ward. Everyone is
different though. I went to an open day in Great Ormond
Street, but had already set my heart on emergency
nursing, and they don't have an ED. I chose Crumlin, as
they have clinical facilitators (teachers) for each ward or
department, and a newly qualified nurse transition
programme for support. I am now one of 45 new nurses
to that hospital in the last month, so I don't feel so
alone. Some people benefit from staying in their
'mother' hospital for 6 months to a year after qualifying.
I don't disagree that this has some confidence building
aspects! But I've always been the type to love a
challenge and scare the living day lights out of myself for
the sake of growth, so I took the leap to change hospitals
and I have no regrets. Now I know I can do it for
whenever I choose to work abroad.
Page 12
4) Would you like to do anything different next
year or in the future?
Useful Links
Next year, I plan on still being in the ED in Crumlin. The
teaching is so good that I'd like to get the benefits until
2017 before jetting off to the sun. I think in Australia I'll
do some shifts in the adults A&E, to keep one foot in
general nursing too. I went to an open day for
Healthcare Australia recently and the ratio of nurses to
patients seems reassuring! When I come back I plan on
doing the Children's ED post grad and maybe if I'm still
going I'll do the masters eventually. But I do feel I'm due
a bit of fun in the sun before hopping into another
course!
 An Bord Altranais (www.nursingboard.ie) has
functions in many areas relating to nursing from
training to ethics from events to research
5) Have you any advice for current finalists?
 International Council of Nurses (www.icn.ch/
en/) operated by nurses and leading nursing
internationally, ICN works to ensure
quality nursing care for all and sound health
policies globally.
 Start teaching your junior colleagues, the students
below you, now, in your internship. I still meet some
I've worked with today and it's heart warming to be
remembered as a great help. Plus when you qualify,
students are yours to work with, even if you feel
you've got a lot to learn yourself, so start early. You
know more than you think, - you'll never believe it,
but you do. I'm amazed at some of the work I did
during my internship; I'd be terrified to spend a day in
a general ward now. You are brilliant and you don't
get enough thanks.
 Psychiatric Nurses Association
(www.pna.ie) provide relevant information on
working in mental health nursing
 HSE (www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job_search/
nursing/)
 Nursing jobs Ireland
(www.nursejobsireland.com) provides information
on recruitment
 Vault Career intelligence (www.vault.com/searchresults?q=nursing) provides information on
recruitment drives and information on nursing.
 cpl (www.cpl.ie) recruitment website.
CAREER PLANNING
 You get what you give, so spend some free time, an
hour in the evenings, reading up on that disease you
didn't have a clue of, or that drug you had to look up
in the BNF. It all adds up, until one day, you just know
these things and rarely have to do a double take…
 Take a break before you start as staff nurse, don't feel
pressured into starting ASAP or pre reg nursing. I
didn't and still landed where I am now. Go on a nice
holiday with your internship money (a few bob more
than what years before you got!) And push yourself
grades wise. I never thought I could get a first until I
seriously knuckled down in 4th year and raised my
average. My graduation was last week and the pride I
felt was worth every pen I wasted writing notes!
 Careers Report (Gradireland.com/careersreport)
 Profiling for Success (www.tcd.ie/Careers/
profiling_for_success/) online personality &
ability assessment
 Finally, ask questions now, don't be afraid it's
stupid or that they expect you to already know it. Tie
up the loose ends while you still have the student life
jacket on! Best of luck, I look forward to working with
you.
www.tcd.ie/Careers
Page 13
The Careers Advisory Service (CAS) offers a range of services and resources to assist students and
recent graduates in preparing for, making, and implementing informed decisions about their future
careers.
Sarah Jones
Careers Consultant
Careers Advisory Service
2nd Floor, 7-9 South Leinster St
Trinity College, Dublin 2
01 896 1721/1705
[email protected] www.tcd.ie/Careers
MEETING ALUMNI & EMPLOYERS
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Careers Talks
Employer Fairs
Recruiter in Residence
Employer led workshops
GradLink Mentoring
Coffee Chats
CAREER GUIDANCE
Confidential one-to-one meeting with your Careers
Consultant
GUIDANCE TOOLS
Web-based tools to help sort through your options
and focus on what suits you
FINDING JOBS
CLASS WORKSHOPS
Short-term, part-time, Work Experience & Internships
(WE&I), Graduate and Research jobs advertised daily
online
Discipline specific sessions with your Careers Adviser
POSTGRADUATE STUDY

Personal Statements for Postgraduate Study
workshop
PG Study talks on applying & finding funding

CAREERS WEEK
An opportunity to meet employers and start your job
search
POSTGRAD FOCUS
Practical tips on applying for postgrad
ONLINE
Up to the minute jobs, funding, events and careers
information
CV / LINKEDIN CLINIC
Weekly drop-in clinics
PRACTICE INTERVIEW
JOB SKILLS WORKSHOPS
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Career Planning
CVs to impress
Interview success!
How to get the most out of LinkedIn (includes
Networking)
Book a practice run for your next interview