New job guarantee for Brighton mental health nursing graduates

The programme, launched by the university in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, will see successful graduates guaranteed a position at the trust without the need for an interview.

“We’re proud that our students can be the future workforce for our local NHS partners”

Debra Humphris

The initiative will begin from summer 2024.

The trust is already one of the main providers of clinical placements for mental health students at the University of Brighton.

These placements include working among community teams who work in mental health recovery, in-patient mental health services, older adults in the community and on inpatient wards, and in child and adolescent mental health services.

The University of Brighton is the latest UK university to team up with a local NHS organisation to launch a pilot like this, with many trusts hoping it will increase recruitment rates.

Professor Debra Humphris, vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton and a former registered nurse, said: “If there’s ever a time in the world where we need skilful, thoughtful mental health practitioners it’s now.

“We’re proud that our students can be the future workforce for our local NHS partners, which is nothing less than they deserve.

“I’ve always known how capable and well trained our graduates are, and our confidence in their skills is reflected in this programme guaranteeing them job offers.”

Meanwhile, Dr Jane Padmore, chief executive of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and a registered mental health nurse, said she was “personally committed to championing all of the mental health nursing students” at the university by guaranteeing them a job at the trust.

She said: “The three years of their training is a time for us to support them to ensure they find their place in SPFT.

“I am looking forward to being part of their journey to beginning a fulfilling career as a registered nurse.”