NURSES of all ages have been invited to a recruitment day at the Great Western Hospital with the promise of a job interview the very same day.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, July 30, is open to all registered nurses keen to join the teams working across the hospital’s three elderly care wards.

As well as sitting an interview, the hopefuls will be given a guided tour of their new workplace and introduced to the current staff on the Jupiter, Teal and Woodpecker wards.

And with Swindon recently ranked as one of the top 10 towns or cities to work in, it’s hoped that nurses from further afield will look to broaden their horizons at Wiltshire’s largest hospital.

Paula Smith, a staff nurse on Woodpecker Ward, said: “Caring for elderly patients can be hard work, but it is one of the most rewarding jobs I can think of.

“Seeing somebody’s mum, dad, nan or granddad return home to their family feeling better than they did when they first arrived makes the hard work worthwhile.

“It’s a great environment to work in. Each day is different and I go home at night knowing I’ve made a difference.

“I’d encourage any nurse about to take the first steps in their career, or any nurse just looking for something new, to come along next Saturday and find out more.”

Elderly care at the Great Western Hospital has been revolutionised in recent years with Jupiter Ward undergoing a major refurbishment in late 2014 as part of a project to create Swindon’s first dedicated dementia friendly ward.

Alex Stroud, recruitment team leader, said: “In the past, we’ve held events like this across Wiltshire and had a really positive response so we’re hoping for more of the same from the nurses in and around Swindon.

“As well as full and part time positions, we’re keen to hear from anyone who would like to join the bank, which is the trust’s own staffing agency and perfect for anyone wanting to join our teams but on a more flexible basis.”

New staff coming to the trust can expect to receive five and a half working weeks of holiday a year as standard, as well as the ability to take part in a new Swindon Borough Council-led scheme which entitles hospital staff to 30 hours of free childcare a week.

Other perks of working for one of Wiltshire’s biggest employers include many high-street discounts, access to the generous NHS pension scheme and staff-only health services, such as physiotherapy and counselling.

The recruitment event, which starts at 10am, is also open to people not wishing to attend an interview.

Those who are should apply for the position in advance by visiting www.jobs.nhs.uk.

For more information about the trust, go to www.gwh.nhs.uk.