Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Staff Nurse - Childrens Unit

The closing date is 30 April 2026

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Band 5 Registered Children's Nurse to join our Children's Unit at Musgrove Park Hospital. This is a general paediatric ward caring for children and young people with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, with specialist areas including High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Oncology.

You will work within a supportive, friendly multidisciplinary team and benefit from close working relationships with medical teams, CAMHS colleagues based on the ward, and a dedicated eating disorder team. There is also the opportunity to gain experience working within the Paediatric Assessment Unit.

This post offers an excellent environment for learning and development, supported by an established paediatric education team based on the ward. The role includes rotation across long days and night shifts.

Main duties of the job

  • Deliver high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to children and young people in accordance with the NMC Code.
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised care plans, responding appropriately to clinical deterioration.
  • Administer medicines safely in line with local and national guidelines.
  • Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, including close working with medical teams, CAMHS and mental health services.
  • Act as an advocate for children, young people and their families, providing clear information, support and education.
  • Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation.
  • Participate in safe discharge planning alongside the MDT.
  • Support and supervise students and junior staff where appropriate, contributing to a positive learning environment.
  • Take charge of the ward area when required, with appropriate support.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

  • Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
  • NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
  • Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
  • A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Details

Date posted

16 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-4727

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Band 5 Children's Nurse, you will be responsible for delivering safe, effective and compassionate nursing care across the Children's Unit, which includes general paediatrics, HDU and oncology services. You will develop your clinical skills within a supportive setting that encourages learning, supervision and professional development.

The role involves working closely with CAMHS clinicians embedded within the ward and the Trust's eating disorder team, supporting children and young people with both physical and mental health needs. You will also have opportunities to rotate into the Paediatric Assessment Unit to broaden your experience.

You will contribute to service improvement, audits and quality initiatives, and be supported to develop professionally through appraisal, clinical supervision and the paediatric education team. This post requires flexibility to work long days, nights, weekends and bank holidays as part of the rota.

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Band 5 Children's Nurse, you will be responsible for delivering safe, effective and compassionate nursing care across the Children's Unit, which includes general paediatrics, HDU and oncology services. You will develop your clinical skills within a supportive setting that encourages learning, supervision and professional development.

The role involves working closely with CAMHS clinicians embedded within the ward and the Trust's eating disorder team, supporting children and young people with both physical and mental health needs. You will also have opportunities to rotate into the Paediatric Assessment Unit to broaden your experience.

You will contribute to service improvement, audits and quality initiatives, and be supported to develop professionally through appraisal, clinical supervision and the paediatric education team. This post requires flexibility to work long days, nights, weekends and bank holidays as part of the rota.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent in nursing.Registered Nurse with active NMC registration.Registered Sick Childrens Nurse

Experience

Essential

  • Have a commitment to continuous professional development.Have experience in a relevant clinical setting.

Desirable

  • Previous experience supervising junior colleagues or students.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Have a good knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice and national guidelines.

Desirable

  • Understanding of audit and quality improvement processes.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Degree or equivalent in nursing.Registered Nurse with active NMC registration.Registered Sick Childrens Nurse

Experience

Essential

  • Have a commitment to continuous professional development.Have experience in a relevant clinical setting.

Desirable

  • Previous experience supervising junior colleagues or students.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Have a good knowledge and understanding of current nursing practice and national guidelines.

Desirable

  • Understanding of audit and quality improvement processes.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Employer's website

https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Hiring Manager

Suzy Mason

suzy.mason@somersetft.nhs.uk

01823342573

Details

Date posted

16 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£32,073 to £39,043 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-4727

Job locations

Musgrove Park Hospital

Musgrove Road

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5DA


Supporting documents

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