The 2018 RCNi Nursing and Careers Jobs Fairs will be bigger and better than ever

Looking for a new job or to develop your career in 2018? The new-look RCNi Nursing Careers and Jobs Fairs now include a panel discussion to enhance your job application success and help you get the most out of your career

RCN Bulletin Jobs Fairs have always focused on guiding nurses towards promising new employment opportunities across the UK. Now the new-look fairs for 2018 will also help you to develop the skills you need to achieve that ultimate dream job.

From February, the Jobs Fair is relaunching with an exciting emphasis on successfully developing your career, as well as showcasing current job opportunities.

For the first time, a panel discussion with audience participation will be held over the lunchtime period at the Manchester Fair on 7 February. I will be chairing the inaugural discussion, and will be joined by Tim McDougall, deputy director of nursing at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, and regional director for the RCN North West region Estephanie Dunn, a former director of nursing.

Climb the career ladder

By sharing our combined nursing knowledge, our aim is to enhance your job application success, help you consider how to climb the career ladder, and look at what employing organisations really want from nurses and the challenges currently facing nurse recruitment.

Questions from the audience will be encouraged and answered to ensure individual needs are met.

Our free seminar programmes are back for 2018, with key nurse leaders and employers addressing a wide range of practical topics. From interview techniques, creating the ideal CV and tops tips for revalidation, through to tackling workplace stress and the latest workforce trends – all aspects of career development will be covered.

A job offer on the day

Visitors to the Manchester Fair can also access workshops on mental health nursing, working in Australia and emotional resilience. All of the workshops and seminars are CPD-accredited for your own Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation profile.

With more than 45 exhibitors from nurse recruiters across the healthcare spectrum – including NHS trusts, the independent and care home sectors, nursing agencies and overseas recruiters – there is a wealth of opportunities and information available. Some organisations offer interviews on the day, so you might even walk away with a new job.

• RELATED: Read how mental health nurse Kellyann Anderton-Kay was offered a job on the day at last year's Manchester Jobs Fair

The event also offers a unique learning zone linked to the innovative RCNi online platform. Visitors to the fair can access free of charge the whole range of RCNi learning resources for clinical and professional updates, and complete online learning for the CPD hours needed to meet revalidation requirements. Technology experts will be on hand to guide users on access.

Whether you are a nursing student, newly registered or an experienced nurse looking to take your career to the next level, the new-look RCNi Nursing and Careers Jobs Fairs offer a modern and interactive step towards personal career development.

Richard Hatchett is RCNi senior nurse editor