Why I chose a job in social care for my first nursing role

Nursing roles in social care are often misunderstood - but they offer a rewarding, person-centred alternative to hospital-based nursing.

As a Newly Qualified Nurse, I started my career with a preceptorship at Yarningdale, an Exemplar Health Care home in Codnor, Ripley.

In this blog, I want to challenge the misconceptions around social care nursing and share how this path gave me the support, skills, and job satisfaction I was looking for.

"I never wanted a social care placement"

During my nursing degree, I never imagined starting my nursing career in a care home.

Like many student nurses, I’d heard the myths.

• “You need hospital ward experience first.”

• “Care homes de-skill nurses.”

• “There’s no room for clinical development.”

Social care nursing wasn’t even discussed much during university, except through the lens of negative media coverage or outdated stereotypes.

So when I was allocated a care home for my third-year elective placement, I wasn’t happy - in fact, I tried to change it.

But I’m so glad I didn’t.

A surprising turning point

From the first day of my placement, I loved every moment - that feeling continued throughout. It ended up being the most rewarding placement of my entire course.

What stood out was the strong nurse-patient relationships.

You have time to get to know people, and that connection shapes how you provide care and advocate for their needs.

In many ways, social care nursing is more holistic, more person-centred, and more emotionally fulfilling.

Starting my nursing career in social care

Even though I always saw myself working on an NHS ward, I applied for my first nursing job at Yarningdale - and I haven’t looked back since.

I’m proud to call myself a Social Care Nurse - and now, I love supporting Student Nurses and sharing my story in the hope of inspiring others to consider this path.

The value of preceptorship in social care

One of the most important parts of my transition from Student Nurse to Registered Nurse was the preceptorship programme at Exemplar Health Care.

I had valuable supernumerary time, where I shadowed experienced Nurses, got to know the residents, and learned how a shift runs.

This time allowed me to:

• build confidence in my clinical skills

• complete mandatory training at my own pace

• learn person-centred care through hands-on experience

• grow my communication and leadership abilities.

And most importantly, I had time to build meaningful relationships with the people I support - something that’s central to being an excellent Nurse in this sector.

A supportive environment for Newly Qualified Nurses

Becoming a Newly Qualified Nurse is a huge transition. You carry the weight of everything you’ve learned, while stepping into new responsibilities.

It can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.

At Yarningdale, I felt supported, understood, and truly listened to. It even gave me the confidence to speak at a clinical nursing conference, something I never thought I’d do so early in my career.

Rethink your next nursing move

Social care nursing gives you space to grow and learn, while making a real difference to people’s lives.

It’s not easy work. Some days are tough. But most are filled with laughter and smiles - and I’d never experienced that so consistently during hospital placements.

If you’re looking for a nursing job that’s highly skilled, emotionally rewarding, and full of opportunity - rethink what you know about social care.

It might just be the best career move you make.