YDH Preceptorship & Newly Qualified nurses programme

As a newly qualified nurse, during your preceptorship you will have access to a named individual (mentor) who will be your designated point of contact.

During your preceptorship your mentor will guide you from the role of a student to the role of qualified/registered nurse. They do this by supporting your development of the necessary knowledge and skills required in specific healthcare fields. At Yeovil District Hospital (YDH) we achieve this by providing a formal programme of Preceptorship. This commences with “Pre-Registration Study Days” designed to help you familiarise yourself with our hospital before commencing the formal Preceptorship programme on receipt of your NMC registration. An example programme can be downloaded here.

What people have said about our preceptorship course

“Great Preceptorship programme, friendly and encouraging staff, happy to answer questions and support you after qualified.”

“Great Preceptorship programme and opportunities for development; provides a very good support system which I believe is vital for me to progress with skills and in particular with my confidence.”

“I value the support available to newly qualified staff. The hospital has a plan for the future which is exciting! I have enjoyed being a student here.”

“Feel extremely reassured at the support and encouragement given to newly qualifiers and the Preceptorship programme.”

About YDH

The Trust has been repeatedly rated as one of the top-10 healthcare employers in the Country, and is a leading-light in global stroke research and development. We have attracted national interest in our iCARE model which has established the principles of exemplary patient care and experience within our hospital and in 2014 we won a Nursing Times Award. In March 2015 the Trust became the only Vanguard site in the South West.

At-a-glance facts:

  • Strong-history as one of the top-10 healthcare employers in the country
  • A NHS Foundation Trust since 2006
  • Full-range of clinical services – including general medicine, cardiology, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, trauma and paediatrics – with an emphasis on enhanced recovery achieved through multi-disciplinary input and delivered through laparoscopic-techniques, day-surgery procedures, and patient-enabling support
  • Full range of on-site diagnostics, including respiratory lab and bone densitometry
  • Workforce of approximately 2,200
  • Provide care for a population of about 185,000, primarily in south Somerset, North and West Dorset and parts of Mendip
  • 345 beds and a private patients’ wing, the Kingston Wing.

About Yeovil

Situated on the Southern boundary of Somerset, bordering Dorset, Yeovil enjoys a prime position for accessing and enjoying some of the best countryside, coast and cities in the UK.




Yeovil itself is a vibrant market town with a population of around 40,000, and the population we serve is drawn from the town as well as the many rural and semi-rural conurbations which surround it.

Good public transport networks, easy motorway and A-road links, exciting urban neighbours in Bristol and Bath, and easy access to Bristol International Airport, means we can live amidst some of the country’s most beautiful countryside without compromising on access to the rest of the UK and beyond.

Questions or more information?

Contact Elaine Cox on [email protected] / 01935 384529.