Job overview
Join our dynamic Surgical Team on Ward 22!
Are you a passionate, motivated experienced Registered Nurse looking to broaden your clinical skills in a fast-paced and supportive environment? Ward 22 at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is looking for enthusiastic nurses to join our multidisciplinary surgical team. This post would not be suitable for newly qualified nurses or those soon-to-qualify.
Ward 22 is a busy, 31-bedded elective and emergency surgical ward that accommodates patients from a wide range of surgical specialities including:
Bariatric Surgery
Colorectal Surgery
Upper GI
Urology
Orthopaedics and Trauma
You’ll be working alongside specialist teams such as:
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)
Stoma Care Team
Pain Management Team
Nutrition and Dietetics Team.
What We Offer:
Access to clinical development programmes and mentorship
Opportunity to attend study days, training workshops, and in-house courses
A supportive leadership team focused on your professional growth
Exposure to complex surgical pathways and enhanced recovery models
Career progression opportunities within surgery and beyond
What We’re Looking For:
A registered nurse with the NMC
Strong commitment to patient-centred care
Ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team
Enthusiasm to learn and develop new skills
Compassion, resilience, and a positive attitude
Main duties of the job
Deliver safe, evidence-based, and compassionate nursing care to patients across various surgical specialties;
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care plans in collaboration with the MDT
Administer medications and treatments in accordance with Trust policies and NMC guidelines.
Monitor, record, and report changes in patients' condition and escalate concerns promptly.
Work collaboratively with the wider surgical team including the Enhanced Recovery Team, Stoma Team, Pain Team, Nutritionists, and Physiotherapists.
Provide clear and effective communication with patients, families, and colleagues.
Attend and contribute to handovers, ward rounds, and multidisciplinary meetings.
Ongoing professional development and mandatory training.
Engage with ward-based learning opportunities and specialist study days.
Support and mentor student nurses;
Maintain accurate patient records using electronic and paper systems.
Ensure compliance with Trust policies, infection control standards, and safeguarding practices.
Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct at all times.
Practice in a manner that promotes privacy, dignity, and respect for all patients.
Act as a role model and advocate for high standards of care on the ward.
Contribute to effective bed management, discharge planning, and patient flow.
Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff to the ward.
Report incidents, accidents, and near misses using the Trust's incident reporting system.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Ward 22 is a dynamic and fast-paced 31-bedded surgical ward delivering high-quality care to patients across multiple specialities including bariatric, colorectal, upper gastrointestinal, urology, orthopaedics, and other surgical services. The ward works closely with the Enhanced Recovery Team, Stoma Care Team, Pain Team, Nutritionists, and Physiotherapists, offering excellent opportunities for clinical learning and career development.
As a Registered Nurse, you will be responsible for providing compassionate, safe, and effective care to surgical patients at various stages of their perioperative journey. You will work as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team, ensuring care is personalised and evidence-based while supporting a positive and supportive ward culture.
Deliver high-quality, holistic, and person-centred nursing care to patients across a range of surgical specialities.
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing care in collaboration with the wider healthcare team.
Monitor and respond appropriately to changes in patients’ clinical condition.
Administer medications and treatments safely in accordance with NMC and Trust policies.
Assist patients with activities of daily living, mobility, and post-operative recovery.
Work closely with specialist teams including the Enhanced Recovery, Stoma, Pain Management, and Physiotherapy teams to provide coordinated care.
Participate in ward rounds, case reviews, and discharge planning.
Promote effective communication between nursing staff, patients, families, and other professionals.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation using electronic patient record systems.
Practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Trust values.
Ensure privacy, dignity, and respect are upheld at all times.
Adhere to infection prevention and control standards and health & safety policies.
Contribute to safe and effective patient flow, supporting timely discharges and admissions.
Assist in managing the day-to-day running of the ward during shifts in the absence of senior staff.
Support stock management and safe use of equipment on the ward.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Current Acute Registered Nurse with the NMC
2. Degree in Nurse related specialty or working towards
Desirable criteria
3. Mentorship or teaching qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Experience of working as a Band 5 in an acute hospital setting
5. Evidence of further education, training and on-going learning
Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. Demonstrates awareness of current changes in the NHS – in particular related to Nursing
Desirable criteria
7. Knowledge of clinical effectiveness, research and audit
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
8. Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
9. Flexible
10. Role model
11. Able to demonstrate reflective practice
12. Team Player
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.