Trainee School Nurse Opportunity
One year training, commencing in January 2026
Facilitated by NHS Fife and Queen Margaret University (QMU)
(Annexe 21 applies over training year*)
This will lead to a permanent Band 6, School Nurse post on successful completion.
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. You 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 Fife. On completion of the programme and registration on Part 3 of the NMC register, you will automatically progress to a Band 6 School Nurse. Successful graduates will be expected to consolidate practice within NHS Fife for two years post registration.
For those interested in applying for a Trainee School Nurse post and to find out more about the role of the School Nurse, we invite you to attend one of the following online information sessions, no need to book, the links are on the advert attached to this vacancy:
Tuesday 19th August 2025, 3.30pm – 4.30pm, the link is on the attached advert document.
Wednesday 20th August 2025, 9.30am – 10.30am, the link is on the attached advert document.
Application Process
An application is required via the NHS Scotland Jobtrain website
To apply you must:
* Be an experienced Nurse or Midwife currently on the NMC register
* Be free to undertake full time study commencing January 2026
* Be available for interview week commencing 22nd September 2025
* Have the required academic credit rating/or evidence of recent study.
* If you are short-listed you will require to complete a 1500-word essay as part of the application process, the submission deadline is Monday 15th September 2025 by 10am.
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 programme leader 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 off-set 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.
* Annexe 21 : Trainees are paid at least 75% of max of Band 6, no detriment applies
For further information contact: School Nurse Team Leaders: Amanda.urquhart@nhs.scot, Fiona.crook@nhs.scot, Jennifer.grant2@nhs.scot, Lynne Darling, Programme Lead: LDarling@qmu.ac.uk
NHS Fife is legally obliged to ensure all its employees are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a United Kingdom (UK) or Irish National, you are required to confirm your right to work in your application.
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.
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 sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.
Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.
We offer flexible working and family-friendly policies and fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
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.