From the British Army to the NHS

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been a long supporter of the Armed Forces community and recognise the valuable contribution, wealth of experience and skills that Armed Forces personnel and their families bring to the organisation and that this contributes to the delivery of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led patient care.

Last year, the Trust re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant showing its commitment to ensure staff who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. We also work in partnership with NHS Step into Health programme, which supports servicemen and women to access career opportunities working in the NHS. Armed Forces and their families include: Service leavers, Reservists, Veterans, Cadet Forces Adult volunteers and spouses, partners and families of those serving. Read more about how we support our Armed Forces community.

Hear from Gavin Oxby, whose dream growing up was to become a solder. He is extremely proud throughout his career to represent the British Army all over the world.  Now a Registered Nursing Associate at the Trust, he shares his story about his life in the Army and the NHS.

Gavin Oxby, Registered Nursing Associate and Veteran

Gavin’s story:

“I joined the British Army in 1996 after leaving school” says Gavin. “It was my schoolboy dream to become a soldier and I was extremely proud throughout my career to represent the British Army all over the world. I have completed several tours from Bosnia to The Gulf, to helping with domestic emergencies such as Op Fresco (Fire Strike). Throughout my career, I was lucky enough to complete several courses and obtain qualifications in the medical field that would help me in my role today.

“…knowing what a fantastic organisation the NHS is, I decided to
 make a career out of it”

“I am currently a Registered Nursing Associate within a community nursing role within the Trust. After leaving the Army, I floated around between a few jobs and was then successful at becoming a Nursing Assistant in a high secure setting. This pathed my way within the NHS as knowing what a fantastic organisation the NHS is, I decided to make a career out of it.

Gavin Oxby

“Working within the NHS is quite like working within the Armed Forces. You spend a lot of your day and working life with selected people from a wide range of backgrounds, and you have no choice but to get along. Teamwork is vital in both employments. Working for the NHS now, it is nice to be able to go home after work and relax, away from the daily stresses of work and spend time with my daughter and wife. 

“Teamwork is essential and the ability to work unaided and just ‘Get On’ and do the job or task at hand is paramount. Attention to detail is needed within the NHS, as is the daily routine of turning up early and on time to work. Leadership is also a vital transferrable skill to have. You shouldn’t ask people to do something, if you’re not prepared to do it yourself.

“A good veteran can bring a huge amount to a team
and be a proactive member of the workforce”

"Many veterans have a lot of life experiences, even from a young age. Some understanding and awareness of what a veteran may have been through would form a closer bond with them and the rest of the workforce. A soldier may leave the valley, but the valley may not always leave the soldier. A good veteran can bring a huge amount to a team and be a proactive member of the workforce. It is good to see that Nottinghamshire Healthcare value our efforts and what we can bring to the organisation. I am looking forward to how I can help and support veterans with this organisation."

If you are currently employed in the Armed Forces and interested in exploring future employment opportunities at the Trust, why not check out of vacancies: recruitment.nottshc.nhs.uk/

For further information about careers in the NHS Working in health | Health Careers 

For further information about the NHS Employers’ Step into Health programme, visit the Transition into an NHS career | Step Into Health (militarystepintohealth.nhs.uk) or email staffengagement@nottshc.nhs.uk