A remote Scottish Island with just 60 inhabitants needs a nurse

If you're a nurse and looking for a job with a difference then this might appeal to you. The NHS in Scotland are searching for a RGN for the remote island of Fair Isle, which has a total of 60 residents, with the nearest GP located 40 miles away.

Nursing Standard magazine report that the remote Scottish island of Fair Isle, situated in the 50-mile gap between the Orkney and Shetland islands to the north east of Scotland, is looking for a band 6 nurse practitioner to fulfil the role of 'non-doctor island nurse', acting as the first point of contact for health needs. It takes approximately two and half hours for a ferry crossing between Fair Isle and mainland Shetland, with just one crossing a week in the winter or three times per week during the summer. Residents of the remote island can also travel by plane, either on one of the regular week day services or by prior booking. The job advert states:

"You must be able to work autonomously, providing nurse care to a high standard and be able to use you own initiative to address healthcare issues within this remote island setting. Professional colleagues and other non-doctor island nurses will provide mentorship and clinical supervision. A degree of personal resilience is also required to work in this single-handed post on a non-doctor island with support available via telephone or video-conference link."

The Nursing Standard reports that the successful applicant will work Monday to Friday, and provide a weekend on-call service. They will also have the opportunity to rent the 'Nurses House' on the island, while working day to day in a separate clinic facility. As a band 6, the nurse will be entitled to a salary of between £26,565 and £35,577. They will also qualify for a relocation package of up to £8,000 and the distant island allowance of £1,172. The island's current nurse, Mera Long, is leaving for a job in her husband’s homeland of Romania, according to The Scotsman. The newspaper reports that as well as playing the church organ during Sunday services, Ms Long has also taught piano to many of the island’s children. Applications for the position close on April 24, for more details click here. Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie